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MacFarlane's Company
Overview: MacFarlanes' Company is a volunteer organization that uses Living History presentations to teach people, primarily about the rich history and culture of Scotland and the Scottish diaspora in North America. By their efforts, MacFarlanes' Company raises funds to support the outstanding stewardship and preservation work done by The National Trust for Scotland. The Company and the NTS work together to encourage an understanding and appreciation of Scotland's unique heritage on both sides of the Atlantic.
Foundation: MacFarlanes' Company Living History Troupe was founded in 1992 by Elliot MacFarlane, Karen Wood, Lyle Calcamuggio and Greg Sobczak. The founding intent was to create "an organization of Living Historians dedicated to service, authenticity, and the support of non profit organizations". To make the organization available for different events and time periods without tying the performance to a particular war or event.
MacFarlanes' Company Living History Troupe prepares for each season with their winter and spring spent in research, documentation, and travel. The Company makes its Living History presentations in the United States, Canada, and Scotland. All money generated by the work of MacFarlanes' Company is donated directly to nonprofit organizations like the National Trust and others. The Company has earned a reputation for the quality of its work, the authenticity of its presentations, and the amount of research that goes into its endeavors. Most importantly, the Company is recognized for providing events with a strong historical base in a user-friendly manner.
National Trust for Scotland: In April the Company makes its annual trip to Scotland to make historical presentations at heritage sites under the Trust's care. After many years of travel to Scotland for study and research, and years of presentations in North America, the Company is now regularly supporting the Trust with Living History work in Scotland. Members of MacFarlanes' Company met with Dr. Christopher Duffy, author, historian, and the world's leading expert on 18th century warfare. Dr. Duffy, at the launch of his highly anticipated new book "The '45", said of the Company, " How grand it is that guys like this live the history" and "The work of this group serves to emphasize the importance of these events."
The Company is widely known and its programs are eagerly anticipated by people of all ages. The group's historical and clothing preservation, museum and historical site consultation, teaching at schools and universities, research requests, and the collection and preservation of rare/out-of-print books and newspapers. In addition to Scottish living history, members of the Company teach at historical conferences, present "Robert Burns and Friends", portray French and Indian War and War of 1812 units, make appearances and presentations about early American history, work at Scottish Games and Celtic events, and do a myriad of other activities.