On June 28, the historic Drum Barracks in Wilmington, CA had their biennial technology fair! The Drum Barracks was once the Union Army’s headquarters for California and New Mexico during the US Civil War. Though it once consisted of 10 buildings, the only building left standing is the junior officers quarters - which is preserved as a museum. It is also notable for being the home of the Camel Brigade, in which the US Army experimented with using Camels for transportation. Their technology fair displays common technology of the 1860s, from medical capabilities to railroads to printing - and so much more! 

For the event, Enzo volunteered to act as a bespeckled printer of the 1860s. Aardvark provided a small hand press, a cast of type, and all the necessary tools and equipment needed to run the booth. People of all ages lined up to have their name printed using handset Garamond type while learning about letterpress printing and how it was utilized during the war to distribute orders on the battlefield as well as propaganda. The table was stationed right next to Aardvark’s good friend Brooke Granowski of Sorella Studios who was demonstrating Civil War era bookbinding! Enzo has already committed to volunteering for every technology fair indefinitely, so be sure to check out Aardvark’s table at the Drum Barracks in 2027!