Tour Summary

Captain’s Table

The museum’s centerpiece is the Captain’s table. This grand table is used for business, dining, and as a staging area for historical interpreters. It is usually set up with place settings for the staff and includes items used for demonstrations and discussions that cannot fit in the regular displays.

Captain’s Table at Van Horne House Encampment in 2020.

This table serves as the hub of our ship, where we plot our courses, plan our daily activities, and welcome new crew members, passengers, and visitors. It’s also a place where we gather to share meals, unwind with a game, and chat about current events. It’s the centerpiece of our living history experience, serving as both the starting and ending point of our tours.

SHip’s Bell

Our day begins once the setup is completed. Every 30 minutes (or thereabouts), we hear the ringing of a bell, which adds to the soundscape and enhances the tour experience. The bell is from the Pursuit, and it happens to be the only working piece left from her. It serves as a reminder of our past and our future, and its voice echoes from the past to help us preserve history.

Ship’s Ledger

The Captain is seen writing down possible names in the ledger at the table. It’s unclear whether it’s a list of new crew and passengers who will be joining the ship or a record of goods obtained from capturing a prize. It could also be an entry in the ship’s log.

Ship’s Biscuits

The biscuits made by the Captain on the ship are highly favored by both the crew and the 1stNJ Volunteers. During bigger events, we struggle to keep them in supply. These biscuits are simple, made of flour, a pinch of salt, and water, and baked into a hard disk. Every sailor on board is given approximately one pound of bread or biscuits. Due to the nature of the Pursuit, we allow for some breakage in the allotments.

Ship’s Cookery

For events that span a longer duration, we make use of our trusty braisure (stove) or kitchen fire to whip up some delicious coffee, boil water for a refreshing cup of tea, or cook up a storm for our crew, depending on the length of the event. The tantalizing scent of freshly ground coffee permeates the air, stimulating the senses and setting the tone for a memorable occasion.

Ship’s Meals

In our diverse range of culinary offerings, we proudly showcase an array of appropriate meals that were commonly savored during the 18th century, particularly on board ships and in the colonies. These mouth-watering dishes were highly valued by civilian sailors and were frequently utilized by captains as a means of promoting crew morale and productivity.