"I even got busted by my mom for sneaking one into a little pink purse and taking it to church when I was about 4 years old," Beeler said. "My father condoned it all until I was about 9 or 10, when he threw them all in the trash, insisting that I put away the boy toys and learn to be more of a lady."
Today, Beeler is chief of Monocacy National Battlefield's Resource Education and Visitor Services, a position that puts her in charge of some of the world's largest guns. She's also an expert gunpowder handler.
"I started firing cannons at Antietam Battlefield as part of a seasonal job," Beeler said. "It became part of my job to become certified in 19th-century small arms and artillery as well as the storage and handling of black powder because I supervise an interpretive program at a Civil War battlefield."
Later, Beeler's interest in the program led her to become certified in 18th-century weapons.
"The increased knowledge allowed me to be selected as regional inspector and as one of the National Park Service's historic weapons instructors," she said.
Black powder is still made and used by sportsmen and reenactors, although there are several varieties, Beeler said.
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