The Norse Encampment

From it's original inception in fall of 1992, the Norse Encampment was intended to be a professional level program. Techniques in living history and interpretation would be utilised to create a presentation that would bring the Viking Age to life. The entire program was treated from the beginning as if it was part of the creation of a new museum. For this reason, a defining 'Mission Statement' was one of the first tasks undertaken. Throughout the various forms that the program has taken since its origin, this Mission Statement has helped to keep the processes and objectives of the Norse Encampment clear.

This is a copy of the orginal press release used to promote the 1996 presentation. Parks Canada and the Viking Trail Tourism Association co-sponsored this two week long demonstration. This served as a test of the feasibility of developing a full time living history program for the L' Anse aux Meadows site.

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Creating the Artifacts

The impact of the Norse Encampment owes a great deal to the collection of detailed reproductions that surround the interpretive staff. Since the program' first inception in 1992, one of the challenges has been the creation of reproductions of various everyday objects from the Viking Age. Producing detailed copies of early period artifacts involves both research and craftsmanship. This segment details the approaches and problems of the process.

Of special interest to re-enactors of the Viking Age is a series of production drawings used in the creation of the artifact reproductions for the Norse Encampment.

go to "Creating Artifacts"

This summary presents a general overview of the culture of Scandinavia during the 'Viking Age', from roughly 800 to 1100 AD. The material covered refers mainly to 'daily life' rather than detailing specific historic events. Included is a discussion of the Norse exploration of North America as shown by L' Anse aux Meadows Newfoundland, circa 1000. This overview was originally designed for teachers and was offered for classroom use in conjunction with the 'Norse Encampment'.

This selection of books includes both popular and scholarly works. It was orginally created to accompany the article "the World of the Norse", as a resource for teachers. It will serve as a good starting point for anyone interested in the Norse and the Viking Age.

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'An Introduction to the Norse'

Is a text prepared for a promotional display I designed to accompany the exhibit 'Full Circle - First Contact' at the Woodstock Museum leg of the tour.
The text, along with the images used to illustrate this mall display can be seen here:

This link will take you away from the Wareham Forge site.

This academic paper was written in early 1998 about various aspects of the Interpretive program developed for L' Anse aux Meadows NHS. Two versions of the same basic paper were created, suited to different audiences. The first version was presented at the 33rd International Medieval Congress at Western Michigan University. The second paper, (the one available here) was given at the 27th Annual Association for Living Historical Farms & Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM) Conference at University of Waterloo. This version deals with more of the practical aspects of the creation and operation of the Viking Encampment program.

In spring of 2001, I participated in a project that added a new reconstruction to the L'Anse aux Meadows HNSC - an iron smelter. One of the important features of the site is that it marks the first production of iron from bog ore in North America. Along with archaeologis Dr. Birgitta Wallace and historic metalurgist Arne Espelund, I consulted as the 'practical' member of the team.
Since that date, experimental iron smelting, based on Viking Age prototypes has become a passion. An extensive seriers of written reports, experimental data, photographic records and other related information is maintained in a separate section of the Wareham Forge web site.

go to "Adventures in Early Iron Production"

The is a developing reasearch project to gather together artifact evidence from a number of sources into an overview of knifes from the Viking Age. Not in any way a finished report, but it may prove interesting to re-enactors and bladesmiths.

This section contains a schedule of some of the special events that were planned to mark the 1000 year anniversary of the Norse arriving in Vinland at L' Anse aux Meadows. As well there are links for more information on the various events undertaken. Although several years have passed, many of the informational site remain available.

'The Mainlander's Guide to Newfoundland and L'Anse aux Meadows'

This is special series of information that will be of interest to anyone planning a trip out to the site (or any place in Newfoundland). Although somewhat dated, (latest observations after my spring 2000 contract stay in the area) much of the basic information is still solid.

'Norstead - a Site Description'

A short overview of the physical layout of the site and area made after my work training staff in spring 2000. Although it shows the site only partially finished, it may still prove of some interest to anyone traveling to the Norstead historic entertainment.