Category: History
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2022 events
All listed events are tentative pending Covid restrictions, government rulings, etc. Several events have not yet posted their schedules. February 2022 18th Century – February 25-27. Prickett’s Fort, Prickett’s Fort State Park, Fairmont, WV. 18th Century Firearms and Accoutrements Show. http://www.prickettsfortstatepark.com/events.html March 2022 Timeline – March ? No info at this time. Reenactor Appreciation Weekend, …
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Book Review: Sacred Ties
I learned today that the Tidioute Remagen Bridge reenactment has been cancelled, although this may be partly because the organizers have heard that the Reading Airshow may be moved to that date. How everything shakes out remains to be seen. At least we have books to read. Book Review: Sacred Ties Sacred Ties by Tom…
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Initial 2018 Calendar of events
Here is what we have so far for the coming year through April. January 2018 WWI – Jan 12-14, 2018: “Bathelémont: Baptism of Fire”(Hosted by FR 90 (German) and the 18th RI (French)). Time period: November 1917. Event held at the Caesar Krauss Great War Memorial Site, Newville, PA. http://www.greatwarassociation.com/Schedule.html WWII – Battle of the…
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2016 – A Retrospective
This is a month late, but better late than never. The following is a quick summary of events we attended last year: Our first event of the year was at Fort Indiantown Gap for the annual Battle of the Bulge Reenactment, sponsored by the WWII Historical Association. We take part in the Axis hospital…
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Events – January – May 2017
Below are the events on which we currently have information. More to follow. January 2017 WWII – Battle of the Bulge Reenactment, January 25- 29. Ft. Indiantown Gap PA. Contact: http://www.wwiiha.org/new/index.php/fig February 2017 WWII – Elbe River Event, February 18, Old Bedford Village, Bedford, PA. regardless of the weather as usual. They still have…
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Memorial Day
There are numerous stories and legends about the origin of Memorial Day that have grown up over the last 150-odd years. From the freedmen of Charleston, SC, who cleaned up and landscaped the burial grounds of 257 Union prisoners of war buried at the Hampton Park Race course and then held a memorial service for…
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Raise a Glass of Vodka to Sergei Mosin and Leon Nagant
The following is a reprint of a wonderful bit of philosophy from my good friend, Patricia: The Mosin Nagant is truly a manly piece of hardware. Let’s discuss why. 1: First, the Poison Maggot is a time proven design. Dating from 1891, all the bugs have been worked out. This assumes there were any bugs…
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2012 – A Retrospective
2012 has been an interesting year, with more than its share of ups and downs, to be sure. As some of you know, I have had some personal bumps in the road, including some unpleasant health problems, which have affected my ability to get out to events as well as mind this blog as much…
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Mission to Moscow II
The next stop on my trip to Moscow was the Central Armed Forces Museum, which is also known as the museum of the Soviet Army. The former is probably now more accurate, since there are exhibits from the post-soviet period as well as sections being developed that cover the whole history of Russian arms back…
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Mission to Moscow
Always on the lookout for something new to do, I spent the last two weeks of November in Moscow, Russia. Needless to say, there is some history there. One of my stops was at ‘Victory Park’ which commemorates the victory over Nazi Germany in WWII. Unfortunately on the day I was there, the main museum…
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A New Interpretation of the History Channel
As my regular readers know, I ran out of patience with the so-called “History Channel” a long time ago. However, I may have been wrong…the following is an careful analysis of that channel’s programming which seems to put it all into focus. Thanks to our newest contributor, Justin Eubank: If you’ve ever watched the History…
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Henrietta Fitzhugh Barr House
The following article was originally submitted by Linda Donegan to the Charleston, WV Civil War Roundtable: Henrietta Fitzhugh Barr In 1835, Henry Fitzhugh and his wife Henrietta settled in Ravenswood. They had acquired land and built a home on the corner of Walnut and Race Streets. They had come to Ravenswood from Fauquier County Virginia…
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Veteran’s Day
A warm thank you to all veterans for your service to our country and its people. The debt is deep and profound. We should also take a moment to remember the men and women of the armed services still serving. God bless and come home safe!
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USS Olympia – Are We Going to Lose This National Treasure?
On Sunday, September 19, I toured the cruiser USS Olympia with my friend, Don Taylor. We were in Philadelphia for the Russian Mosaica Festival and took the opportunity to check out this historic vessel. I had, of course, seen many pictures of ships of the “Great White Fleet”, but had never experienced actually boarding one.…
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Gettysburg Cyclorama 2010
The following is a report by guest commentator, Matt Gillespie, on the Gettysburg Cyclorama which has been moved to the new Visitor’s Center: My family and I decided to have a mini-vacation since we had done no other traveling in 2010. What better place to get some quality family bonding time than Gettysburg, PA. None of…
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A Hidden Treasure
On April 24, Mark Tennant and I drove to Oakland, MD for a scheduled Civil War living history. We were to meet up with some other reenactors at the gazebo by the train station, however, to our dismay, we learned that there had been a glitch and the event had been cancelled, but no one…
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Crossing of the Chesapeake
We received this notice from Lt. William King, USN concerning an interesting event upcoming in May. It sounds like a fascinating endeavor and should be of particular interest to those of the maritime pursuasion. Good luck and Godspeed to all involved: On May 15-16 2010 a crew of 10 will attempt to row and sail…
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Stonewall Jackson’s Birthday
Thanks to Sue Prager for forwarding the following announcement to us: A public buffet and a program by noted Civil War historian Dr. Bob Meadows will be held on Friday, January 22 at WVU Jackson’s Mill to mark the birthday of Stonewall Jackson. The buffet will run from 5-7pm at Mount Vernon Dining Hall, featuring…
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Does Anyone Care About American History Anymore?
The following is a link sent to us by Karen Ramsburg concerning the Smith House in Mercersburg, PA. We ran an article about it earlier this year. It would appear that things have taken a turn for the worse. Once again, we seem to have short-sighted local officials who don’t seem to give a hoot…
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A Reenactor’s Christmas List – Cyber Monday Deals
If you are looking for something to buy a reenactor or you’re wanting to offer suggestions to people who may be buying for you, we thought we’d point you to some deals we’ve seen online for Cyber Monday.
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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 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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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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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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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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Charleston Gazette/AP: Fairmont markers join Civil War tourism trail
This was in today’s Charleston Gazette: Fairmont markers join Civil War tourism trail Five markers in Fairmont commemorating the city’s Civil War roots have been added to a state tourism trail. By The Associated Press FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Five markers in Fairmont commemorating the city’s Civil War roots have been added to a state tourism trail.…
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Sons of Union Veterans Recognize Eagle Scout
From Matt Gillespie: Eagle Scout Recognized Jonathan Slaughter Receives Certificate From Buckhannon Camp #49 Boy Scout Jonathan Slaughter, Troop 106 chartered to Sand Run Baptist Church, officially received his Eagle Scout Award at a ceremony held at BSA Camp Mahonegon in Upshur County, WV. Every scout who attains the rank of Eagle must lead a project…
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Division of Tourism Announces Civil War Trails Program
We just received the following announcement of interest to the Civil War community in West Virginia: West Virginia Civil War Trails The Division of Tourism is pleased to announce that it will be working with Civil War Trails Inc. to implement the Civil War Trails program in WV. Civil War Trails is an established, successful…
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WVU Today: WVU Civil War historian lends expertise to battlefield preservation efforts
This was posted on the
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A Letter Home, June 7, 1944
This is part one of an ongoing series by Lucy Albright. about her grandfather, Major Paul H Price. He was a WVU geology professor who went back into the military. He got caught up in the Ardennes offensive in late 1944. Lucy will be sharing his letters and photos in a series of posts. –…
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Pearl Harbor
Take a minute from football to remember that 67 years ago today, Japan attacked the US fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Also remember the 2042 American service personnel who were killed and the 1282 who were wounded.
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Why Do You (We) Do This?
Much thanks to Randy, Misha and Chuck for some great comments and thought-provoking observations. My own personal path to living history probably dates back to reading Bruce Catton’s marvelous trilogy about the Union Army of the Potomac back in the seventies. (Mr. Lincoln’s Army, Glory Road, and A Stillness at Appomattox)* I think it was…
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Transylvania in Pennsylvania September 2008
This event was held at the Great War Assn. site near Newville, PA over the weekend of September 12-14. The site was harder to get to than usual due a massive Penndot bridge project which is going on the area. Having downloaded the new directions from the GWA website and taking the extra precaution of…
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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)…
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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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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…