Living the Frontier: Reviving the Spirit of 1830-1855

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‘Born in Sweden, Peter Stenström has always yearned for a simpler, more primitive life. Drawn to the pioneering spirit of 1830s-1850s America, he now revives traditional skills like building homes and crafting tools. Through his work, he reconnects with the past, embracing self-sufficiency and the satisfaction of creating with his own hands.’

Background

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I was born here in Sweden and not far from where my cabin is. Grew up with my parents and two sisters. My life is, and has always been a normal life. A safe childhood, years in school, and later on work. But somewhere inside,

I've always had this feeling, and always dreamt of living a primitive simple life.

Full of adventures and always wanting to be creative and make things with my own hands. Simply creating the life and things I want.

Your passion for reviving traditional skills and the pioneer lifestyle focuses on the American West from 1830 to 1855. When and how did you first become interested in this period?

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This specific time period is thought has always been inside me. Or at least the American frontier period. I've been searching for the right period to settle in. I've tried mid 18th century as well, but this period 1830-50 is the most exciting, I think. Exploring the west, and the expansion of the civilization in America.

Your Instagram showcases your historically accurate skills, from building homes to crafting furnishings. How do you research pioneer life and the skills you recreate, and are there any key books, resources, or sites that have influenced your understanding of this era?

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The research is difficult to explain I think since I actually brief this era every day. I study a lot of paintings from the time.

Study details from them to try to understand the whole picture from "why did they construct something that way, or this was?" "From what materials, to where did they get the materials for it?" Stitches in garments etc etc. Then I want to recreate what they had and used in everyday life and try to adopt it into something useful for me in my life.

Can you pick for us one lost skill that you have re-discovered and its purpose?

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A long-lost skill would be... hmm.. probably how to tan hides. I find it so satisfying to tan my own hides. Making my own materials for clothes, moccasins, bags, scabbards etc. Actually, also to some sort of respect for all living.

Not wasting anything of the killed animals. Using as much as possible from a hunt. So hide tanning is my answer

The biggest challenge is the balance between two worlds. Pioneers living is simple, free, but also demanding. You could sometimes easily miss both under floor heating and a pizza but what's satisfies most is what you can achieve with very small and simple things in life.

How much a small fire could warm you, and going to bed in the night watching those roof beams inside the cabin knowing what work it took me when putting them in place, but what protection they now gives me.

How much hard work pays of in the end and that satisfies me enough and more than any other luxurious gadget or quick satisfaction that there's in this world and that many of us seeks.

To continue following our explorers Peter Stenström’s journey or simply want to reach out and say Hi, you can connect with them on the following accounts:

Instagram

@pioneer_pete1836

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