Colonial Costumes
Our colonial costumes span a period from the early 1600s to late 1700s. That span saw the first European settlers in the "New World" and the establishment of the United States of America. If you expand the definition just a bit, you could also include earlier explorers and conquistadors. No one could colonize a land if they didn't know it existed!
Early American colonies included:
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Roanoke and Jamestown in what would become Virginia
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Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay in New England
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New Amsterdam in what would one day be New York
There were many different reasons why colonists ventured to America. Some, like the Pilgrims of Plymouth and Puritans of Massachusetts Bay, sought religious freedom. Others wanted to exploit vast natural resources that were becoming depleted in Europe. Many hoped for land and opportunities that weren't available in England. And a few were "transported"--banished from England and ordered to come to the New World as punishment for crimes.
No matter why they came, once they arrived they faced a daunting prospect. The very earliest settlers had to clear untamed land, build homes and establish farms and communities. There was none of what we now call "infrastructure." Plus, the natives weren't always friendly or welcoming! That depended to a great extent on how the settlers treated them. Settlers who saw the natives as savages to be conquered had a harder time than those who saw them as equals and potential friends. The American colonial period ended with the American Revolution and the founding of the United States.
With our colonial costumes you can choose to become a specific historical figure or a generic character. Historic figures include Miles Standish, Priscilla Alden, George Washington or Betsy Ross. Generic characters can be anything from Pilgrims to natives to British Redcoats. We have styles and sizes for the whole family.
Once you're in costume you can re-enact famous battles or scenes from the Continental Congress. Would you sign the Declaration of Independence if you had the chance? Would you pledge your life, your fortune and your sacred honor to defend your new country? Would you dump 342 crates of tea into Boston Harbor? Perhaps you'd rather host a gathering of the Sons of Liberty. Would you be brave enough to spy on the British and report to General Washington? (The penalty for spying was death by hanging.)
Maybe you're planning a play or pageant. We can supply what you need! No matter what types of characters you need to outfit, we can help.
