Archive for the Civil War Category
Why Do We Do This?
This week, on the eve of the Droop Mountain reenactment, I want to start a discussion about the value of reenacting and living history. Why do we do this? This is a question that usually pops into your head when the wind has just blown over your tent fly and everything you own is wet. [...]
Droop Mountain
Droop Mountain State Battlefield Park is one of only two battlefield parks run by the State of West Virginia, the other being Carnifax Ferry. Droop Mountain Park is located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia overlooking the broad valley where the little town of Hillsboro is located. At any time of year it is a beautiful [...]
Civil War Heritage [The State Journal]
Missed this article the other day. Oops! In case you haven’t read it already, here it is. – Sarah Civil War Heritage West Virginia prepares for influx of tourists as 150th anniversary of the war between the states nears. Story by Paul Darst Fighting a battle in the rugged mountains of West Virginia is no [...]
Updated Event Schedule (Sept. 17, 2008)
This Weekend! September 20-21. World War II Weekend Location: Eisenhower Farm, Gettysburg National Historic Site, Gettysburg, PA. WWII Weekend On September 20-21, the National Park Service will sponsor a World War II living history weekend at the Eisenhower National Historic Site. An authentic recreation of both Allied and German army camps, complete with original World [...]
West Virginia Battles Play Key Role in Civil War [The State Journal]
They might not be the first battles that leap to mind when thinking about the American Civil War, but the battles fought in West Virginia were important, one expert said. C. Stuart McGehee is a history professor and dean of his department at West Virginia State University. He has spent much of his professional life [...]
Living History Pictures – Group I
Our first collection of images. Take a look and let us know what you think!
McGrew House, Kingwood, WV September 6, 2008
This past Saturday, I spent the day participating in a living history event at the James C. McGrew house in Kingwood, WV. Mr. McGrew was a community leader in antebellum Preston County, Virginia (later West Virginia) and was a delegate to the Virginia Secession Convention in 1861. He voted against secession and returned home to [...]
Droop Mountain cleanup
The semi-annual Droop Mountain cleanup took place this past weekend in preparation for the reenactment weekend on October 11-12. About a dozen WVRA members and friends from the Stonewall Jackson Reenactment unit participated in what could have almost qualified as an episode of ‘Axemen’ (and women). A couple of dead standing and numerous fallen trees [...]
Reenacting in West Virginia
Throughout the ninties, Reenacting grew in West Virginia, as it did in the rest of the country. Since the beginning of this decade, there seems to have been a downturn, at least for Civil War Reenacting, which has traditionally been the largest segment of the hobby. Events seem to draw fewer participants and those groups [...]
Gettysburg 2008
Watching the defeated Rebs Gettysburg 2008 was quite an event! This was the biggest reenactment that this author has attended in years. It seems like there has been a general downturn in reenactor participation at events over the last couple of years and I’m not sure that gas prices are the only reason. At any [...]