“With much brilliancy and taste": material, memory, and revival of the Meschianza 1778-1924

Abstract

The 1778 Meschianza of Philadelphia lived large in the nineteenth-century historical memory of the American Revolution. All but faded from our cultural memory today, the then-famous eighteen-hour regatta, theatrical performance, and fancy-dress ball came to represent the material and social tensions between patriots and loyalists during the British occupation of Philadelphia. The Meschianza, meaning “medley” in Italian, was conceived by British Army Major John André as a farewell for General Howe as he was called back to England in 1778. The event was held on the ground of Walnut Grove, Joseph Wharton’s estate near current-day 5th and Washington streets in South Philadelphia. This event re-entered our understanding of the social aspects of the American Revolution in the last two decades. André’s description of the event gives rich material clues to the objects present. From a material perspective, the Meschianza is fascinating in its layered displays of historicism, fashion, and empire. The material culture of this event is key to understanding the initial and continued impact of The Meschianza on American historical memory and culture. The memory of the event, largely constructed in the nineteenth century, was shaped by the material landscape. Nineteenth century revivals and recreations, set within the context of the Colonial Revival, provide insight into the changing perceptions of American History during the late nineteenth and early