About Karen

More than you probably want to know but read if you are interested...

Karen Donathen Duffy, FSA Scot, is a retired Professor of History, specializing in both American Material Culture and Social History 1800-1865 and Ancient History. Karen is an ordained minister. She has been a Civil War reenactor for more than 40 years, a Regency and Romantic Eras living historian for over 25 years.

Karen was the creator and hostess of the Grand Civilian Events: Steamboats a Comin' (Louisville, KY), A Christmas Past (Colonial Williamsburg, VA) and A Weekend of Mark Twain (Hannibal, MO.) Karen hosts and calls Civil War balls throughout the country and has presented dance workshops and ballroom etiquette classes numerous times throughout the 40+ years that she has been a living historian and Civil War reenactor. Karen founded The Royal Lancers Vintage Dance Troupe and was the artistic director for 12 years. Karen was a regular speaker at The Civil War Lady Conferences and regularly speaks at national history seminars and various civilian symposiums.

Karen is also the director of the c. 1820's Shapley Ross House located just outside of St. Louis, Missouri. At the historic home, she develops and hosts full-immersion and historical events. Being both a Professor of History and a living historian, Karen has unique insights in bringing American history to life. She is known for her depth of historical research and the high standard of authenticity she includes in her recreated events.

Karen is a well- known speaker on Scottish heritage and clans (She married into the MacFie Clan; hers is the House of Crawford) and has presented sessions on "The History and Evolution of the Kilt," "Historic Scottish Women's Attire," and "The History of Tartans," at numerous Scottish Games throughout America. Karen is also interested in the fascinating historic link of Gaelic Psalm singing to African-American Line-out hymn singing and Muskogee (Creek) hymn singing. She is currently studying the history of the numerous Gaelic speaking black slaves and slave owners in 18th and 19th century America. Karen is a member of The Scottish Tartan Authority, the Scottish Tartan Museum, and an FSA Scot fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.

But more important to Karen than all the above, is the very deep love and passion she has for the remote indigenous peoples of the Ecuadorian rainforest. She works among the Waorani, Achuar and Shur tribes. She is the founder and director of Come to the Rainforest Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, which provides humanitarian, faith-based, and educational initiatives in the remote villages throughout the Ecuadorian rainforest If you would like to join Karen on one of her short term mission trip please visit her website www.CometotheRainforest.org or her Facebook page 'Come to the Rainforest.'

Karen lives on 35 acres in a log cabin built in 1819 on a western bluff of the Mississippi River surrounded by a 300 acre nature preserve. Settlers' Trace is her little piece of heaven on earth and a dream come true. Karen also runs Varlebena Farms, a 501c3 large animal and equine rescue and sanctuary. The rescue cares for 3 pot-bellied pigs, 19 equine including 2 Belgian draft horses, a miniature pony, a mini-mule, 7 miniature donkeys, chickens, guinea hens, ducks, turkeys, dogs and cats!

Karen is listed in Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who Among America's Greatest Teachers and Who's Who Among International Women.