Delaware Regiment at NY
Delaware Regiment Fighting Bravely at New York in 1776 (image courtesy the Delaware National Guard and the Delaware Military Heritage and Education Foundation)
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Revolutionary War Days at Nevada City, CA 2014
"Revolutionary War Days"
12-14 Sep 2014
Nevada City, CA
After Action Report
On
September 12th through 14th, 2014, the
"Revolutionary War Days" event was held for the second year at
Pioneer Park in the Gold Rush town of Nevada City in Northern California. Certainly
small by Eastern standards, but by all measures for a relatively new event in
Northern California, it was highly successful. The event was conducted by the
Haslet's Delaware Regiment unit in Northern California, and was sponsored by
the Nevada City Constitution Day Commission. Nevada City celebrates
Constitution Days that weekend, including a parade on Sunday afternoon. A Friday
afternoon was added to the event to gauge public interest and schools interest,
for possible future school programs.
This was a
living history event, without battles. The encampment included tented stations
of Revolutionary War era civilian life and activities, Fife & Drum station,
and a line of soldier tents. Demonstrations
included flag raising and lowering to fife & drum, weapons inspection,
soldier drill and firing, fife & drum music, kids drill with replica
muskets, apothecary/surgeon, textile making, milliner, making of chocolate
beverage, stories of the Revolution from our University historian, a station
depicting soldier uniforms, weapons and equipment with a map of the colonies
showing a timeline and battle locations of the War, and a Daughters of the
American Revolution (DAR) station. Soldiers included the Delaware Regiment, 33rd
Regiment of Foot, Loyalists and French.
Our
historian "Town Crier" announced demonstrations during the day, provided
"context" and background to a variety of demonstrations, and read
portions of the Declaration of Independence during flag raising.
The
California Consolidated Drum Band (the official California State Fife &
Drum Band) played inspirational period music at flag raising and lowering,
during the event, and during the parade.
Public
attendance was estimated to be over 400; good considering very hot weather
during the event, and those attending stayed at the encampment a long time
asking questions and taking in the atmosphere. A local newspaper conducted
interviews, and the event was on the front page of Saturday paper. Many
visitors collected pamphlets of the US Constitution & Declaration of
Independence at the event.
Reviews
from the public were enthusiastic regarding the knowledge of the living
historians and their enthusiasm. Friday afternoon attracted one school group
and several groups of homeschoolers.
Drilling the public with muskets was again a huge hit and
amusing to watch for spectators. Two very
young ladies were dressed perfectly
and were lovely young ladies with charming manners complimented on by the
public.
The
event is starting to attract enough soldiers to consider addition of a small
"skirmish" in next years' schedule.
One of many comments from the public: "My family of seven came Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to participate in the event and the Constitution Day parade. We had a great time! My 11 year old daughter Olivia especially enjoyed the Chocolate discussion: hearing it three times, and also the wool/spinning/knitting discussion - please let the “lady that had a farm in Pennsylvania, who was a widow” know that Olivia enjoyed her talk, and has started collecting Onion Skins [for dyeing textile]."
The event concluded on Sunday afternoon with a Constitution Day parade with all the reenactors through downtown Nevada City. The Delaware Regiment and California Consolidated Drum Band were awarded First Place in the Parade.
All
in all a splendid several days helping children and adults understand and
appreciate the story of the courageous men and women who lived these times,
British, French and American.
Huzzah!
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