Arthur Avery marches to the beat of a different drummer. The 16-year-old plays a Celtic drum and a larger field drum for marching to the tunes of drummers in the distant past. He fires flintlocks, primitive bows and 18th-century artillery. He fences, makes arrows, knows French military drum calls, does campfire cooking, leatherwork, makes rope and sets up tents like those used before the Revolutionary War. | Photo gallery | Reporter gets a taste of living the Colonial life

Avery has been to about 125 historic re-enactments since age 4 with his parents, Pete and Cindy Avery of Normal. They've camped in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and Wisconsin. They now go to about eight re-enactments a year, mostly long weekends. Their focus is 1740 to 1765, but they attend events as late as the 1820s.

"It's like wow - as in 'Wow, I am doing exactly the same thing somebody did 250 years ago on this exact same spot," said Avery.

He's part of a family that toughs it out camping, including torrential downpours. They camp in wall tents, tipis, lean-tos, a wedge tent and under star-studded skies.

The time traveling began in 1995 when Pete Avery wanted to buy a specific type of flintlock rifle from a merchant at a re-enactment at Fort De Chartres, a state historic site well south of St. Louis in rolling countryside. The vendor wasn't there. But when they saw people dressed in clothing of the period, Cindy Avery thought, "Oh, that would be fun." So they bought period clothes and decided camping would be more fun and authentic than day trips.

"We ordered a tent-we jumped right in," said Cindy Avery.

The family eventually adopted personas of people living in the village of St. Phillipe in the region of Kaskaskia. Eventually they were invited to join the Milice (militia) de Saint Philippe, a re-enactment group.

Arthur portrays Charles LaLande, baptized in 1735, a Saint Philippe resident, according to a 1752 census. "This places his age about the same as my current one during the French and Indian War (1754-1763)," said Arthur Avery.

His parents portray Francois and Barbe La Croix. Francois was a voyager and a merchant. As residents of St. Philippe, they were members of the village militia and he helped in duties at Fort de Chartres, an area Pete Avery describes as the "Williamsburg of the West," not only because of the amount of population but skilled tradesmen.

The Averys are modern-day merchants - they open Badger's Den, a tent store at some re-enactments, selling reproductions of everyday items used back then.

They produce paperwork based on historical research for their characters. "It was important people carry paperwork, often signed by a priest or government official, indicating different transactions throughout an individual's life," said Arthur Avery. "We have attempted to create these in an effort to learn about our persona as well as be more accurate in our demonstrations."

While camping, they drink out of copper mugs and eat on pewter plates. They wear reproductions of period clothing-heavy fabrics not "breathing" like modern fabrics.

Modern items - such as coolers with ice - are discreetly tucked out of sight inside the closed sleeping tent so camp life is as authentic as possible to not only other campers - but for visitors to re-enactments. Items like radios are forbidden.

"Re-enacting at events can give us a greater appreciation for what our forebears went through to survive. While they had to hunt, plan and provide for all their food needs, we only go to the cooler for fresh meat to roast on the fire," said Cindy Avery.

"While we make hand-dipped candles for fun and to use at camp, they had to make them if they wanted light during dark. A lot of the skills we learn and keep alive today are for our pleasure rather than our very survival like our ancestors."

While setting up camp is work, the pace is more relaxed after that. No matter what the weather, the camaraderie keeps them coming back. Buckskinners and militiamen mingle on grounds where artisans sell authentic works and entertainers perform.

Laughter is woven through visiting and storytelling - some of it true and some of it tall tales - and often it is difficult to know the difference.

Pete Avery said what is most amazing is how campers from all walks of life from the very wealthy to those barely getting by socialize with each other with ease when ordinarily they would never meet.

"At camp, everybody is equal," he said.

Arthur Avery lives history in other ways. He's a storyteller of Native American legends. He's on the board of directors of the Twin City Tale Spinners, a storytelling group. He's also fascinated with World War II history.

But Arthur, who is home schooled, also is firm-footed in the present. He and his parents attend East White Oak Bible Church, where Arthur's a member of the Guys G.A.S. (God Alone Satisfies) Group. He has a third degree Black Belt in Tai Kwon Do and is an instructor at ATA Black Belt Academy, Bloomington.

Arthur Avery's passion for the past recently netted him a statewide Historic Research & Preservation Award from the Illinois Chapter of the Daughters of Colonial Wars. "Absolutely it is very unusual for a 16-year-old" to have such a strong working sense of history in so many areas, said Kelley Carey, president of the state's chapter. "To have someone like Arthur - it is a great find."

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GO!

Upcoming history events:

Prairie Celebration

Rock Springs Conservation Area, Decatur

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 6, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 7

Includes vintage 1860s baseball game Sunday

Free

(217) 423-7708

Heritage Days on Goshen Trail

Lewis & Clark College, Godfrey

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27 and 28

Admission: $5 for adult, $2 for children

(618) 806-3095

Fort Massac Encampment

Fort Massac State Park, Metropolis

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 21

Free

(618) 524-4712