Today we’re talking with Mike Judson, a living historian with an appreciation for the history of the Northwest Territories and what would become Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan. Mike has spent time in the American mid west and mid south and has worked to find and enjoy the history of any place he visits. At the age of nine he began shooting with his family, this interest began to foster his appreciation of history at a young age. Even now, many years later history is a big part of Mike’s life.

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New beginnings

Inspired by the 1992 film “Last of the Mohicans”, Mike flocked to the woods with many of his contemporaries to relive the mid 1700s and the impacts of European settlement in the forests of the west. Accompanying this, Mike started out portraying a civilian ‘woodsman’ of the time, someone who could blend in a town or settlement as well as the trackless forests. At this time events were different and Mike found himself spending much of his time on small private trips into the woods with his friends, all with 18th-century equipment.

As Mike’s love of history matured with him, so did his area of study and persona. Mike transitioned from woodsman to militia member, rising through the ranks before transitioning once again to a civilian participant, and an older version of the type of figure he portrayed 20 years earlier. Now living in Northern Indiana, Much of Mike’s research is focused on the history of this region. Figures of study include St. Clair and his failed expedition Little Turtle, Anthony Wayne, as well as Chief Five Medals. Mike travels the same ground these icons of history did and while 200 years separate them, Mike feels their stories need to be told, and their experiences need to be shared.

From private camps to public events

To share local history, Mike has become increasingly involved with local public historic events, he truly has a passion for them and their ability to educate the public. Mike has been attending Mississinewa 1812 for more than 20 years and recently has championed an event honoring Chief Five Medals and his contemporaries. Currently held at the Stone’s Trace Historical Society, Five Medals brings northern Indiana history alive with portrayals of historic trades, culture, military, and more, making it easily accessible for members of the public. The committee behind Five Medals organizes a local education day for schools and homeschools to attend and get hands-on with history. Two weekend public days open the gates for everyone in the area to attend and learn. For Judson, these events are crucial for the continued understanding of history in any part of the country.

But it’s not easy to host an event like this, it requires a dedicated team of passionate people to pull off and that’s where Mike gets concerned. “We’re an aging group, and we need to start seeing some new faces coming in to ensure this history isn’t lost,” he says, “There’s a future, I’m sure there is, but we have to look at the reality of the situation we are in.”

Shaping the future

Like many in muzzleloading, Mike has seen the continued cultural changes in the United States and worries about what it means for the future of a hobby he’s been involved with for decades. While chatting we talk about several events that no longer exist, whether affected by the economy or a dissolving patron base, we’re seeing a number of events go away, and with them, staples of local history.

You could say this concern over the future of not only the Five Medals event but the livelihood of Mike’s friends who depend on these events to support their families has spurred another change in Mike’s living history journey. In recent years Mike has begun to think about the future and how he can support an incoming generation of enthusiasts so that someday he may pass the reins and see them carried forward.

I wanted to talk to Mike because I’ve seen that very desire, the desire to see this continue in my interactions with him. I’ve known Mike since I was a boy and he’s been a great friend to me in my own living history journey. He’s provided resources and keywords I use in my own research and I can’t thank him enough.

This interview is about Mike’s story, but it became more than that, I think. It became the story of a man’s passion through time, changing like the seasons. Each season supports and nurtures the next.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Mike’s story in living history/muzzleloading

Indiana history and how it connects to Mike’s living history journey

18th century Material Culture

Getting started in living history/reenacting

Trades, Personas, and Historic accuracy

Finding your historic persona

What to do for your first trip to a living history event

Research resources

Lower end of 18th century society

“slice of life” trades in the 18th century

The importance of public events

Relevance of demonstrations and education at living history events

How do events stay relevant?

Fostering interest in Living History

Mississinewa 1812

Chief Little Turtle

Chief Five Medals

Anthony Wayne