Living in the Past

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United States
Horicon, WI
Living in the Past

We make and sell historical and original recipe soaps, and various historical accouterments. We love living history........... We love history!

As reenactors, our favorite time period is the 1760s-1780s. We are always striving to better our personas and presentation by researching and practicing the crafts and techniques of our chosen time period. Whether it is rendering tallow, making soap, hand-dipping candles, gardening and preserving our own herbs and produce, or learning about the medicinal qualities of plants, we strive to better ou

r understanding of what it may have been like to live in the 18th century. I am also the Curator of the Horicon Historical Society. Our museum house, the Satterlee Clark House, built in 1855, gives us the chance to teach local history and about life in the late 1800's. Whether we're in the field living in the 18th century, or at the museum visiting the 19th century, sometimes it seems that we are always "living in the past".

03/29/2026

Andie, Izzy, and Autumn were asked if they would like to be a part of the 83rd birthday celebration for the USS COBIA. They were more than happy to be included in the event with their display on Rosie The Riveter, Wendy Welders, and the many other roles women held in the defense industry and war production of WWII.

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum let them use a few artifacts from their collections for their display, such as the rivet gun and welding equipment.

They also had a bit of family heritage on the table, a toolbox and tools that belonged to one of my great grandfathers. My Dad heard about what they were demonstrating, and was excited to help by letting them add his grandfather’s toolbox and some of his tools to their display!

I'm so proud of these girls and their passion for this remarkable era. Their dedication, research, and passion bring to life the stories of the women workers whose hands, skill, and determination were absolutely essential to the Allied victory.

They help honor this aspect of history by portraying it, and remind us how much of the war effort was carried on the shoulders of women whose contributions were too often overlooked.

12/26/2025

Going through my pictures from our recent Christmas Open House, I found this beautiful picture of Autumn that I took in the parlor while a volunteer played our pump organ. It's too beautiful not to share.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

09/28/2025

We are set up at the "Autumn Art in the Marsh" Arts and Craft Show in Horicon at Discher Park today. Be sure to stop in and see us if you're in the area.

09/22/2025

I have been working diligently in the lab over the last two weeks and am finally able to fill orders for our ever popular "Don't Fear the Nettles!". I thought I would post this little PSA tonight before I send out orders tomorrow.

Why the Color May Vary 🌿
These two Don't Fear the Nettles shampoo bars are from different batches. The bar on the left was made with olive oil that had a deeper green hue and darker dried nettles. The newer batch on the right used lighter olive oil and nettles, resulting in a softer, more muted tone.

This kind of variation is normal in small-batch, plant-based soapmaking. Natural ingredients shift with the seasons, and each batch carries the subtle imprint of its materials and the moment in which it's created. While the color may change, the formula and performance remain consistent.

Thank you for embracing the quiet beauty of handmade goods—where no two bars are exactly alike.

09/07/2025

It’s nettle processing day at our house. Normally we hang the fresh nettles to dry, then strip the leaves from the stalks once they’re crisp. The leaves go into our medicinals and skin care products, and the stalks get added to our fiber stockpile for later.

But it’s been a busy year in the shop, and keeping our “Don’t Fear the Nettles” shampoo bar in stock has been a challenge. So we’re speeding things up—dusting off the dehydrator and drying small batches to keep pace.

Grateful for Autumn and Isabella’s help today with sorting and drying. Next up: infusing oils and water with the dried nettles.

09/04/2025

Last weekend, Autumn, Isabella, and their friend Andie brought history to life with their first solo presentation on WWII Women in the Workforce—part of the “Swinging into Dry Dock” celebration at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum for the USS Cobia.

They curated every detail themselves (I just printed the pictures!) and poured their passion into honoring the women who stepped into shipyards, factories, and offices during wartime. Their passion for this era shines through in every detail, and it’s been a true joy to witness their thoughtful, committed dive into research, storytelling, and historical interpretation—echoing the ingenuity and grit of the very women they set out to honor.

They’ve also loved learning about WWII submarines and the legacy of the USS Cobia itself. Being invited to events aboard this historic vessel has meant the world to them, and they’re already looking forward to spending more time immersed in its stories and sharing its significance with others.

We’re so proud of their work—and thrilled to add this powerful narrative to our growing historical arsenal.

09/01/2025

Our beautiful Isabella helped me place flower vases around the museum for our annual Ice Cream Social and Classic Car Cruise In. I couldn't resist snapping a few pics of her on the staircase.

08/13/2025

Happy 18th birthday to our little Izzy! Be sure to stop over at our booth at the Music at the Market Farmers Market tonight and wish her a Happy Birthday.

08/09/2025

I just realized I never finished sharing all my photos from last weekend’s Dodge County Antique Power Club Show. I came home, rejoined the modern world, and completely forgot I still had a few gems waiting to be posted. No official deadline for posting pictures, right? 🤷‍♀️

Also—keeping my fire going last weekend was a whole ordeal. Thankfully, my son the blacksmith came to the rescue with a few hot coals so I could get breakfast going. Perks of raising someone who knows his way around a forge.

08/02/2025

We’re back at the Dodge County Antique Power Club Show again this year! Usually the weather is hot and heavy with humidity, but this time we’ve been blessed with absolutely beautiful conditions.

I didn’t get around to taking too many pictures yesterday, but I’ll share the few I did snap before it’s time to stoke the fire and get breakfast going.

Address

Horicon, WI
53032

Telephone

+19203182695

Website

http://www.livinginthepastllc.etsy.com/

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