V163: The Carson City Rendezvous, 1860

Mums on the left, me on the right, in our plaid hoop dresses, and bonnets made by dear friend Maggie

This past weekend Mummsies and I attended the Carson City Rendezvous, a wonderful historical fair celebrating the history of Nevada in the 1860s.  There are Union and Confederate soldiers (and the accompanying battles), sutlers, an original stagecoach, the Pony Express, and ladies tending encampments.  It’s one of the only mid-Victorian events we have out here, oddly enough, and is always a treat to go to each year.

More photos under the cut…

The Confederate horsemen.  This is one of the few events where horses are allowed.  I just loved the dynamic duo on the left, haha!
Here’s Mom having a laugh.
Mom wore a lovely plaid skirt and nice cotton shirt, along with a pashmina shawl.
I wore my remodeled 1865 dress.
The Pony Express, Nevada Division, did a changeover demonstration – here one of the riders is slinging the mochilla, 30 lbs worth, over the back of the next horse he’ll be riding. 
We took some photos with the Pony Express riders, at their request.
“Hey, Handsome, did you bring me any letters from Back East?”

Though the historically correct changeover wasn’t a fast-n-furious affair like depicted in the movies, the horses were excited by the stagecoach running by, an antsy to go for a gallop anyway. 🙂

14 Comments

  • Anonymous

    June 12, 2012 at 12:13 AM

    It looks like you had an awesome time, I love the bonnets and mitts especially.
    You are lucky to live in an area that has events like this, there is nothing remotely close to that where I live.

    Reply
  • Tricia

    June 12, 2012 at 12:40 AM

    Looks like you had a great venture. Mummsies is always so beautiful in the photos. You look beautiful also. I love the plaid, and the hooped skirts.

    Reply
  • Lizzardtears

    June 12, 2012 at 2:50 AM

    your dress turned out so pretty. I love the plaids.
    isn’t it so interesting to see a reenactment. the people in them always know so much about history. I love listening to them talk about it and the different sides of the stories. and of course its awesome to get to see all the pretty dresses. and different aspects of fashion during the period.
    it looks like you had fun and your mom looks pretty all decked out too.

    Reply
    • Lauren R

      June 12, 2012 at 8:42 PM

      I agree! The battles and demonstrations at this fair were narrated, so visitors knew what was going on. Very helpful 🙂

      Reply
  • Time Traveling in Costume

    June 12, 2012 at 5:00 AM

    How fun! I like dressing my Mom up too, and I know she likes it as well as yours looks to be enjoying it.
    Val

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      June 12, 2012 at 5:52 AM

      Dear Ms Time Traveling, Mom dresses herself, thank you very much. Although, I do, on occasion , consult with the Duchess. 🙂

      DuchieMom

      Reply
    • Lauren R

      June 12, 2012 at 8:43 PM

      Lol, we kindof got into the whole costuming thing together. It's her fault, really – she took me to a Ren Faire on year, and it was all downhill (or uphill) for there.

      Reply
  • Anonymous

    June 12, 2012 at 12:33 PM

    Looks like so much fun! And would I love it if my mom would join me in my dress up days! What an awesome thing to bond over! Every one looked awesome and the horses were lovely! Great photo op for you and their riders!

    Reply
  • Ms. Rebecca

    December 14, 2016 at 1:51 AM

    I came across this recently while looking for 1860's dress inspo. We would love to have you come out and play. We are trying hard to reinstate the rendezvous as an annual event.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Lauren R Cancel reply