Category: Events
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Battle of Rich Mountain Reenactment 2009
This past weekend, the West Virginia Reenactors Association and Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation held their reenactment of the 1861 Battle of Rich Mountain. For those who have not been to this battlefield, the area is scenic and rugged. The actual fighting occurred at the top of the mountain where the Hart family had a small…
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Forest Hills WWII Encampment
On Independence Day, July 4, 2009, the 28th Infantry Division, Company K put on a living history encampment at the Forest Hills park in the Pittsburgh area. This was mainly a one day event and was part of Forest Hills Community Day at the park. While our little encampment was tucked away back from the…
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Upcoming Event – The Battle of Rich Mountain
The weekend of July 11-12 will once again see the biannual reenactment of the Battle of Rich Mountain near Beverly, WV. In June, 1861, Major General George B. McClellan took command of Union troops in Western Virginia and on the 27th of that month, set out for Randolph County to engage the Confederate forces there. …
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Rowlesburg, WV WWII event 2009
Despite the obligatory rain on Friday, the weather was quite nice for the rest of the weekend for this event. There were several more reenactors than last year and for many of those who had been there before, the displays were bigger and better than ever. Especially impressive was the camp of the U.S. Navy…
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Restaurant Review By Bill Donegan
I had a wonderful time at “The Alpen Hof German Restaurant†on Saturday night June 6, 2009. The Alpen Hof is located on Morgantown Road in Reading, Pa. It is only three miles from the Mid Atlantic Air Museum. The occasion for my being there was that our German reenacting unit “The Kaiserlautern Volks Sturm 
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Rowlesburg WWII Living History
Just a reminder that the 4th annual Rowlesburg, WV WWII Living History event will take place on this coming weekend, June 26 and 27. This is a fun event and extremely Reenactor-friendly. If you are not signed up as a participant, then make plans to come as a spectator. It’s a small, laid-back, but quality…
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GATHERING OF EAGLES 2009
Here is a report from our correspondent, Nick Korolev: This past weekend June 5-7 saw the annual Gathering of Civil War Eagles Seminar at the Old Courthouse Civil War Museum in Winchester, VA. This Civil War living history event is unlike any other. The public gets to act as the press and speak with key…
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Reading Airshow WWII Weekend 2009
It rained , it got hot, it was big and it was spectacular – it was Reading. The 193rd Rifle Division once again made its annual trip to the Reading Airshow on June 5, 6, 7. This may have been the biggest Reading yet, but it started out rather inauspiciously. Unit members who arrived on…
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Memorial Day Parades – Coraopolis and Lawrenceville, PA
Several reenactors from the 28th Infantry Division, Co. K, participated in the Memorial Day parades in Coraopolis and Lawrenceville, PA. We met in Cora0polis and drove to Lawrenceville in Dan Evans’ 1942 Dodge weapons carrier. This was actually a very pleasant ride and we were well recieved by the crowds lining the street. The parade…
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Julia Pierpont Day, Fairmont, WV
On Saturday, May 23, 2009, I and three other Union Reenactors went to the Marion County Historical Society in downtown Fairmont to serve as color guard for a recognition day for Julia Pierpont, wife of Francis H. Pierpont of Fairmont, who was appointed as Governor of the Restored State of Virginia after the secession of…
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Grafton National Cemetary Lantern Tour
On Friday, May 22, 2009, I took part in the annual lantern tour organized by Mark Tennant. This tour focuses on the many Union soldiers buried in the Grafton National Cemetary located on the south side of downtown Grafton (not the new cemetary at Pruntytown a few miles away). For this year’s tour, we had…
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Battle of Lewisburg – Report
The following is a report from our correspondents, Bill and Linda Donegan in Southern West Virginia: Report of the 147th Anniversary Battle of Lewisburg Living History and Reenactment May 14-17, 2009, Lewisburg, West Virginia By Bill Donegan This year’s event celebrated Abraham Lincoln’s 200th Birthday. This was my experience at the 2009 event. Linda and…
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WWII Living History – Brownsville Steam and Gas Assn.
This past weekend was National Road Festival weekend for the communities along Rt. 40 in Pennsylvania. I fell in with the local 28th Infantry Co. K for a living history encampment as part of the festival. We set up at the Brownsville Steam and Gas Association’s fairgrounds located 4 miles west of Brownsville, PA. There…
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Battle of Rowlesburg Reenactment
It was wet. That sums up much of the weekend of May 2nd and 3rd. In fact, the weather put quite a damper on what could be a nice little spring event. Friday night’s torrential downpours left the field wet and any areas not covered with grass were all mud. Fortunately, on Saturday, the rain…
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Battle of Lewisburg
Next weekend, May 15-17, 2009, the Reenactment of the Battle of Lewisburg will be held in that picturesque southern West Virginia town. The reenactment will portray the engagement between Union forces commanded by Colonel George Crook and a larger Confederate force under Brigadier General Henry Heth on May 23, 1862.
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Quest for the Graves of Two Brave Boys in Blue
On Sunday, April 19, 2009 Jim Barnes and I visited the graves of two brave soldiers that fought for the Union during the Civil War, Jesse Taylor and John Shanes. When I took the Civil War bus trip last fall (see related story CW Bus Trip in past posts) I had heard the story of…
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Hurricane Civil War Event
On the weekend of March 28th and 29th, I travelled to the Charleston, WV area to attend the annual reenactment of the Battles of Hurricane Bridge and Scary Creek. I didn’t camp due to the weather (cold and rainy) and the continuing health problems which have plagued me since last fall. Much thanks to Bill…
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Gallery: WWII Living History & Reenacting
Various and sundry pictures from reenactments and living history events.
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Civil War reenactment causing division
From Appleton, Wisconsin,(Courtesy of WLUK-TV Channel 11) March 12, 2009: Reporter: Evan Perrault APPLETON – It’s a war that divided the nation, now it seems to be dividing parents and administrators in the Appleton School District. “Hopefully we can get people to change their minds,” said Theresa Kersten. “This is 20 minutes of a living…
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Upcoming Event: Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern in Heathsville, Virginia
We received this communique this morning. All time periods are welcome! I am writing to see if I can post an invitation to single or an organization who would like to attend a living history weekend at Rice’s Hotel / Hughlett’s Tavern in Heathsville Virginia. I have had Civil War Reenactors there for the last…
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Upcoming Event: WWII Eastern Front Event in Alabama
This just in from the 197th Guards. It looks like a good one for the guys in the Southern region. Check out the list of vehicles at the bottom: Operation Winters Storm April 17, 18 & 19, 2009 Eastern Front Florala, AL WebSite: http://sites.google.com/site/197thguard/Home/events/WinterStorm Registration: $20 This includes a Saturday night meal. “Last year’s attendance…
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Winter War – Newville February 2009
Last weekend, I once again braved the cold and journeyed to Newville, PA to the Great War Association site for the annual Winter battle to crush the fascist invaders of the Motherland. This is a regular event between the 193rd Rifle Division of the Worker’s and Peasant’s Red Army and Grossdeutschland Division. I’m not sure…
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Event Notice – Odessa Eastern Front Event 09
There will be an East Front event held at the Odessa site on April 24-26, 2009. The event fee is $20.00. There will be no vendors, however there will be blank ammunition for sale. The hosts will be furnishing firewood and Porta-potties. Bring your own food and water. The ground will be too soft for…
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FIG weekend – 2009
Well, I finally made it to Fort Indiantown Gap for the Battle of the Bulge weekend. Its hard to believe that, after all these years of reenacting, I hadn’t been there before, but driving long distances in snow isn’t one of my favorite things, either. Bill and Linda Donegan generously offered to let me ride…
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Arthurdale Heritage: 1940’s Valentine’s Day “Canteen Danceâ€
1940’s Valentine’s Day “Canteen Dance†On Valentine’s Day, Arthurdale Heritage will be hosting a 1940’s style dance; complete with the swing music from the Big Band era! WWII Reenactors in uniform very welcome! Date: Saturday, February 14, 2009 Time: 7-10 pm Arthurdale Center Hall, Arthurdale, WV Music provided by Freedom & Pride – DJ &…
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28th Infantry Unit Meeting
On Sunday, January 11, I ventured out in the snow to the Pittsburgh area for a winter meeting of the 28th Infantry Division, 110th Infantry Reg. Company K. The primary focus of the meeting was to map out the schedule for the coming year. An agenda covering events from April through December, 2009 was mapped…
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General Meade’s Birthday Party – Attention to Orders
This notice just came in today. Especially interesting for Civil War Reenactors in the Philadelphia area. GENERAL MEADE’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION & NEW YEAR’S TOAST The annual General Meade Birthday Celebration will mark the 193rd anniversary of the birth of General George G. Meade, commander of the Union Army at the Battle of Gettysburg. A parade…
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Night of the Generals
This just in: One of our correspondents has just returned from a meeting of the Union command which may effect the outcome of the current struggle in which our great nation finds itself embroiled. I submit the following for your consideration and edification. J. Barnes Editor-in-Chief Greetings one and all! Here is my report as…
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21st Century Abe: Finding Abe
We recently received the following communication regarding a new project involving a subject of interest to living historians in general and Civil War living historians in particular: Abraham Lincoln is turning 200 in February, and we want you to celebrate his bicentennial with us! My name is Alexis Lerro and I work for a company…
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Cumberland Goes to War & Western MD Scenic Trains
In looking at a link about Christmas Trains for my youngsters, I found out that the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad offers historic train rides this month with a WWII theme. Here’s the scoop: This November, WMSR Goes To War! As part of a community tribute to America’s Greatest Generation, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad will…
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1940’s Radio Hour
The 1940s Radio Hour (Find out more on Facebook) Presented by WV Wesleyan College Event InfoType: Music/Arts – Performance When: Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 8:00pm through Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 2:00pm Location: Atkinson Auditorium, Buckhannon, WV Description: The 1940’s Radio Hour takes the audience on a nostalgic trip down memory lane into a…
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Civil War Bus Trip by Mark Tennant
CIVIL WAR BUS TRIP On Saturday Oct. 25, 2008 I went on a bus trip sponsored by the Mason-Dixon Civil War Roundtable to visit some Civil War sites in the eastern panhandle of W. Va.. Jim Barnes had signed up to go on this trip with me but had to cancel at the last minute…
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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…
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New England Eastern Front Event, 2008 (Submitted Event)
Earl F. Leavitt Jr. & Jim Forster Present: NEW ENGLAND EASTERN FRONT EVENT, 2008 Location: Haydenville, Mass. When: Friday 24 Oct. 3PM/ 1500hrs. Property open for early arrival, Overnight camping. If you are not familiar with the location please arrive before 8PM to insure you are camping in the right place! Saturday 25 Oct. Registration…
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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…
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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…
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World War II living history at the Trolley Museum September 7, 2008
On Sunday, I joined members of the 28th Infantry (Bloody Bucket) Living history Association for an encampment at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum just north of Washington, PA. The guys in the 28th had great displays set up and attracted a continuous flow of curious spectators. The encampment was held in conjunction with an antique truck…
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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…
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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.…
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Upcoming events for Fall 2008
The following are upcoming events for this fall. If anyone would like others listed here, please contact us or post in the comments. Hampshire Heritage Days September 5-7. (Romney, WV) with a CW skirmish at Fort Mill Ridge and a WWII living history as well. Link: http://www.hampshireheritagedays.info Transylvania in Pennsylvania September 12-13. WWII. 1945 scenario.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…