Archive for the News Category
Why You (We) Do This II
Well, I’m back, sort of. Not 100% but I can write some. Chuck asked about the criticisms I mentioned early on, so I thought that might be a good place to start this week. Do reenactors sanitize the carnage of battles? In my opinion, that has to be a big yes, unless we actually want [...]
Illness
Due to an illness, I am not able to work on the blog this week. Hopefully next week. Jim
145th Anniversary Reenactment of the Battle of Droop Mountain
This past weekend saw the biannual Droop Mountain reenactment at the DM Battlefield park in Pocahontas County, WV. It was in many ways an optimal weekend for the event. The weather could hardly have been better. Clear blue skies framed a fine golden and red leaf display. The temperatures were warm during the daylight hours [...]
WWII Reenacting in Europe
Reenacting is hardly just an American pastime. Napoleonic reenacting, for example, has been a huge hobby in Europe for a long time. From the look of these pictures, WW2 reenacting has become very popular in some areas as well. In fact, they are doing it big time! Having all those vehicles at hand must help. [...]
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 [...]
Militaria Extravaganza
Do you collect militaria? Trick question – if you are reading this, there is about a 95% chance that you at least would like to collect military collectables. Well, the show of shows is just around the corner. The 2008 MAX (Military Antiques Extravaganza) Show will once again be at the Expomart in Monroeville, just [...]
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 [...]
Organizations Fight to Save State’s Civil War Battlefields [The State Journal]
Some of West Virginia’s Civil War battlefields are scenes of new fighting. For the past four years, a group of Jefferson County residents has been fighting to save an historic battlefield there, said Edward Dunleavy, president of the Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association Inc. “It’s been difficult for the past four years,” he said. “(A developer) [...]
Battle of Point Pleasant Boosts Mason County Tourism [The State Journal]
One community in the state is busy promoting a battle that took place there during the Revolutionary War era. POINT PLEASANT — Not all heritage tourism in West Virginia revolves around the Civil War. One community in the state is busy promoting a battle that took place there during the Revolutionary War era. Point Pleasant [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
September Events
With the holiday last weekend, I took a few days off from the blog, but am back at it again. There is a lot going on this month. More than I can keep up with myself. With rain moving through the Eastern Panhandle this weekend, I decided against going to Romney for the events there. [...]
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 [...]
Old Bedford Village August 2-3, 2008
Old Bedford Village in Bedford, PA held its annual WWII living history weekend on this date. The weather cooperated and the event was, as usual, a fun, laid-back affair. Reenactors present were primarily: German from the Grossdeutschland Division and 9th SS; Soviet, from the 193rd Rifle Division and 150th Guards; and American Seabees. There were [...]
Rowlesburg, WV 2008
On June 29, we exhibited at Rowlesburg, WV. We set up our Soviet exhibit. World War II Reenacting/Living History is a relatively new segment of the hobby in West Virginia, but it is growing in interest in the Reenactor community and also is attracting the interest of the general public. Rowlesburg, WV puts on a [...]
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 [...]