Chris Keenan Therapy LLC:  Living History

18th and 19th Century Living Historian

For over two decades I have been conducting living history programs, portraying various impressions of the American soldier during the periods of 1776-1865.  During my career with the National Park Service, I worked not only as an interpretive park ranger but was a certified historic weapons supervisor, regional safety inspector and instructor for both 18th and 19 century firearms and artillery.  In addition to instructing weapons safety to rangers, historians and military personnel, I have provided interpretive programs at numerous institutions and landmarks including:

-The National Parks of New York Harbor

-Springfield Armory National Historic Site

-Martin Van Buren National Historic Site

-Morris Jumel Mansion

-Thomas Paine Cottage

-New York City Parks

-Soldiers and Sailors Memorial

-Olustee State Park (FL)

-Camden Battlefield (SC)

-The Big E

-New Fairfield Public Schools

-Manhattan College

-Brewster Public Schools

-Higganum Public Schools

-New Fairfield Historical Society

-Scatacook District, Boy Scouts of America

-Big Apple District, Boy Scouts of America

I have been privileged to provide programs to diverse audiences, including park visitors, senior citizen groups, historical societies, children of all grades, college students, West Point and ROTC cadets, and active duty military including international students of the US Naval War College.  While I specialized in interpreting historic firearms and artillery, my interests have always been in understanding the effects of combat and the toll on humanity. Years ago I developed two presentations which address medicine and surgical procedures during the American Revolution and the Civil War. These are the two programs which I continue to offer today to the public.

Medicine in the Age of Enlightenment

While the Age of Enlightenment was in full swing, medicine in the late 18th century was still coming out of the dark ages.  Practices such as bleeding, cupping, and a reliance on mercury based medications have advanced little since the science of the Roman Empire however new concepts, such as vaccinations, were in common use.  This program will illustrate how soldiers and citizens dealt with everyday illnesses, common diseases, and the trauma of combat in the age of bayonets and muskets.  

Surgery During the First Modern War

Ironclad ships,railroads, telegraphs, and hot air balloons are some of the inventions which were used in combat, earning the Civil War the moniker as the first modern war.  However, inventions such as rifled muskets, new advancements in artillery, and trench warfare not only changed military tactics, but initiated changes to military medicine which would last until today.  This program not only illustrates surgical and medical practices of the mid-19th century (such as anesthesia, plastic surgery, microbiology, triage, and combat medicine) but dispels many myths regarding Civil War doctors.