A veteran living historian with 26 years of experience, Dan Kernen is also a masterful carpenter, tailor, and leatherworker. An expert in 18^th century clothing, Dan makes all of his own period clothing and 18^th century leather accoutrements (e.g. journals, wallets, soldiers’ seabags, etc.) and takes orders from other re-enactors who have come to know his reputation for historically accurate top quality work. In both his research and his tailoring, Dan is a perfectionist. He never cuts corners. He is one of those living historians who never looks like a man wearing an 18^th century costume: he projects such a believable persona that people who meet him feel as if he really does live in the 18^th century and has just stepped out of the past momentarily to make an appearance in the modern world.

A member of the 116th PA Irish Brigade and the 13th PA Bucktails, Dan’s interests lie in both the Civil War era and the French and Indian War time periods. He is also actively involved in a number of local historical societies (Peters Creek, Murrysville, and the Venetia Heritage Society), and has served as an historic interpreter at Fort Necessity and a re-enactor for Fort Pitt. Dan is a very well-read student of history who enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for the past with others. He is currently working on an exciting project with friend and fellow living historian Bill Williams. They have developed a fascinating traveling museum with an impressive array of 18th century artifacts that really bring the Western Pennsylvania frontier and the French and Indian War to life. They have just begun to take their museum on the road, but so far, the public response has been tremendous. Dan’s presentation topics include the following: