Today we're talking with Bill Schneider, a lifelong muzzleloading enthusiast as he shares how he went from throwing tomahawks at 8 years old to helping run the educational programs at the School of the Long Hunter.

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How long have you been interested in Muzzleloading?

Since I was 8 years old. 48 years. My dad and mom would take me to black powder shoots. I started actively shooting muzzleloaders when I was 16. I became interested in shooting muzzleloaders because of the unique history behind the guns and accoutrements that came with it. I began attending black powder shoots on my own when I was 16 and later joined a group called the Cussawago Rifles. We would have primitive camps through out the year where we would have shooting contest but, also, during muzzleloader deer season, often staying in tents on the Allegheny Forest for the week after Christmas.

Above: Selection of Bill’s work

I continued to expand into the re-enactment aspect of the hobby and became focused on the French and Indian War era, especially. My wife and I and then our children attended re-enactments at Fort Niagara, Fort Ticonderoga, and Bushy Run to name a few places. We continue to attend re-enactments today and focus not only on F and I but also, events in between and into the Revolutionary War era. I attended my first Long Hunter selling Center Mark flintlocks.

I enjoyed the people and the presenters that were at the event and the aspect of everyone learning and evolving in their persona as well as their craft. I began working with the then director Rich Brown; talking about bringing Native topics to the Long Hunter. During the successive years attending, I was able to help the fort in bringing different speakers to the program.

Overtime, I became good friends with Assistant Director Greg Bray who then became the Director at Pricketts. We partnered to put together the yearly programming up to the present. The SOTLH is a three day immersive living history conference. Many of the attendees stay on site in their own tentage, setting up camp for the weekend. Topics are presents on Friday and Saturday that pertain to the era of the LongHunter. Topics vary greatly; you may hear presentations on a historical event or have a hands on demonstration in making an item. We have had several varied topics over the year. We try to cover as many different topics as we can through out the years. Topics such as Foodways, bag and moccasin construction, making of beverages, hands on dying demonstrations; topics that cover the material culture of the frontier as well as the historical events and people; including first person interpreters.

The School of the Long Hunter celebrated its 25th year 2 years ago.

Immerse yourself in an intense weekend of instruction, exploring the role of early frontiersmen on the American frontier. Speakers will focus on the frontier skills of the longhunter. The event is Thursday PM until Sunday Noon. Register on-line at www.prickettsfort.org/register or call (304)363-3030.

Learn more about the School of the Longhunter

Learn about other Prickett’s Fort events and activities at www.prickettsfort.org or by calling 304-363-3030.

The Centennial TV mini series - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076993/

1st hand accounts referrenced in this episode

John Tanner - Wikipedia, Abes Books

Here is one of the most remarkable true stories by and about an Indian captive of the late 18th century. John Tanner was abducted when only nine years old and lived 30 years as a tribesman. His difficult and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to re-integrate into white society is also chronicled.

James Kenny’s Journal and the Frightful Winter of 1761-62 - PDF

Information from Fort Pitt - https://www.fortpitt.org