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Camlann,
celebrating its 32nd year, re-creates the every-day experience
of
a 14th century rural village typical of Somerset, England:
a
Living History
Museum project
for the study,
interpretation,
and
enjoyment
of medieval
arts and culture.
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Camlann
Medieval
Village
features in-character interpreters who have taken on roles of medieval
persons living in a small village in the year 1376. Camlann is dedicated to offering the public powerful personal experiences of
history, including multiple learning and performing arts opportunities,
built upon research of rural communities in 14th century England, to
provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between those
historical events and western society today.
Why
is medieval culture important to us in the 21st century ? Not only
colorful and fascinating, the accomplishments of the middle ages are the bedrock
foundations of western society. Our language, values, customs, religions,
governments, legal systems, calendars, astronomy, mathematics, tools, music,
literature, art, fashions, architecture, even our personalities, are deeply
rooted in European and Middle Eastern traditions in those formative times.
At Camlann you can explore how our modern lives have been significantly altered since
before the 19th century industrial revolution.
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Camlann
offers a unique and entertaining opportunity for schools, organizations,
families, and individuals to understand the complexity of our heritage and
experience traditions which may continue to enrich our lives
today. Camlann's authentic architecture, food, clothing, and
demonstrations allow us to walk a few important steps in the shoes of our
ancestors.
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Camlann's
goal is not to promote a return to the past, but is to enrich the quality of our lives
today, through a re-discovery of those traditional arts and values which are worth
preserving in times of rapid change . . .to understand the wider world we
are a part of . . . to encourage involvement in live performance and handmade crafts
. . . to understand an era when man and the environment were more directly bound
together . . . to
make the world of the scholar available & relevant to the
general public . . . to challenge historical stereotypes .
. . and to give our young generation a stake in their heritage.
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A 501 C-3 non-profit, educational group,
incorporated in Washington State, October 1984.
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Activities are funded primarily through
program admissions, open to the public, which include the Festival for May,
banquets on medieval holidays, the Camlann Medieval Festival, the Bors Hede
Inne (our year-round dinner theatre restaurant), and scheduled weekend daily
life presentations. Other support derives from field trips, classes
& workshops, donations, and grants.
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Donations
are tax-deductible, and are an important way
you can help support our programs. Donors receive our quarterly newsletter, and
may use the Camlann research library, meet for potluck dinners, help with
volunteer projects and attend our annual supporters' banquet.
The business of the association is managed by a board of directors elected to
reflect historic, artistic, and cultural interests in the wider
community. The board meets quarterly to
review budgets, policy, oversee membership programs, and to direct the village coordinator in
charge of ongoing activities. Current members are:
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Roger
Shell, president, founder, project coordinator
Rory Linden, vice-president,
blacksmith, contractor
Lynette
Fricke, secretary-treasurer, accountant, CPA, middle school teacher
Jean
Fowler, retired
Mary
Jo Reid, conflict resolution counselor
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Camlann's
zoning permit provides for inclusion of up to 25 craft shops
and dwellings, a 'castle /manor
house',
additional dining facilities and a medieval indoor theatre. |
Our next round of construction
(2013 to 2015) is projected to include a
carpentry shop, a farmhouse dwelling, a new gatehouse/interpretive center and
an alehouse. |
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