Palmyra, MO -- Could you imagine living without a cell phone, a vehicle, electricity, or running water...I didn't think so...

That's exactly what is taking place in Palmyra, Missouri.

The National Rendezvous and Living History Foundation (NRLHF) has set up it's Midwest Territory camp in Dr. Wells Nature Area in Flower City Park.

For eight days more than 200 living historians..not re-enactors...are living, cooking, dressing, and speaking in the period of 1640 to 1840 North America.

You can experience characters and scenarios and hand made items from native americas through colonial times and pre civil war.

Over the next week there will be nearly 40 educational seminars, trail and hunting walks, as well as primitive cooking, archery, and muzzleloading competitions.

Living historians told us this is a way to preserve and interpret history in a way that goes beyond what someone can learn in a book, classroom, or museum.

There are 2 basic issues I think living history addresses. One is the fact that it incorporates all 5 senses. It's not just the matter of hearing or reading or seeing it includes the smelling, the tasting, the touching it involves the entire child. The other aspect is that once you get them out her they have to begin to start using their own imagination," said Tom Fern "Father Thomas", living historian.

his is the 28th year for the event, but the first time in Palmyra.

The NRLHF travels all across the country picking a new location each year.

This event continues every day until Saturday the 25th.

The site is open to the public from 9 am until about 5 pm.

For more information go to www.nrlhf.org/MWPR/MW_%202009.htm or www.nrlhf.org/events.html