The Vermont Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission has designated the commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the St. Albans Raid as its “Signature Event” for 2014.
The designation is a significant boost for organizers and for promotion of St. Albans, which is expecting thousands to visit over the four-day, Sept. 18-21, 2014, commemoration. Major sponsors for the event are The Rotary Club of St. Albans and the Peoples Trust Company.
The coveted designation, made official in a letter dated March 1, offers the promise of state marketing assistance and raises the event’s profile just as new volunteers and additional corporate sponsorships are being sought.
The St. Albans Raid was the northernmost action of the American Civil War. It involved a small party of Confederate soldiers who slipped into town undetected and on Oct. 19, 1864 took hostages at gunpoint, robbed banks of more than $200,000, and caused the death of one man before fleeing to Canada.
The Vermont Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission was created in 2010 by former Gov. James Douglas and charged with assisting and promoting events marking the Civil War’s 150th anniversary (1860-1864).
Panel members include the commissioner of Vermont Tourism and Marketing, the executive director of the Vermont Historical Society, and representatives from Vermont Historic Preservation, the Vermont Humanities Council, the University of Vermont, Civil War re-enactor groups, and a Civil War historian.
Commission Chair Mark S. Hudson, also executive director of the Vermont Historical Society, said that the St. Albans Historical Museum and its partners won the Special Event status “because of the historical importance of the event, as well as the significance of the activities that will occur to commemorate it.”
Donald Miner, a St. Albans native and local historian, has acted as liaison between local organizers and state historical, and tourism and marketing officials. He was first to report the designation to event organizers..
Warren Hamm, retired Navy rear admiral, is president of the museum and, along with former city manager William Cioffi, a key leader in organizing the St. Albans commemoration.
Hamm said he was heartened by the newly announced support from the state commission, but said he was also keeping his sights on a step-by-step path to a successful event. Volunteers are key to that, he added.
Asked what he would say to potential volunteers, Hamm said, “The 150th is a significant undertaking. In 1864 many residents were drawn into this unique situation. So, therefore, the same should take place today. Now is your chance to make history come alive by presenting to this generation what really took place 150 years ago. Volunteer for one of the many exciting events.”
A core group of local residents, including municipal officials, has been planning for the 2014 event for the past two years. St. Albans Civil War Heritage weekend celebrations – one held last July, one this July 21-22, and a third in 2013 – are lead ups to the main event, opportunities to sharpen the group’s skills.
With much of the preliminary planning accomplished and a tentative 2014 schedule of events in place, the local effort got another boost recently when Peter DesLauriers, former St. Albans City mayor, and Patty Rainville, who already was a museum volunteer, offered to recruit and organize new volunteers.
DesLauriers urged local residents to step forward. “We are looking for volunteers with lots, little, or no skills. We want to talk to anyone who simply wants to be a part of this event.
“Everyone claims that they would help, ‘if only they knew we were looking for volunteers.’ Well, throw that excuse out the window, we are officially asking you to help make this the best event St. Albans has ever seen.”
Hamm said that potential volunteers should be encouraged by what’s already been accomplished.
“Planning is progressing in an excellent manner,” he said. “We have a plan — a timeline to make this happen — and all of the events we think should take place. We have a key group of team players, who are enthusiastic, forward-thinking, innovative, professional and action-orientated, who are getting the show on the road.”
The time has come, said Hamm, to fill out the core team with additional volunteers, who will have a good opportunity to fit their individual skills and talents to needed tasks and have fun in doing them. DesLauriers seconded that, adding, “Every community in the country claims it is unique and special. Yet, only St. Albans, Vermont, our little hometown, is the home of the northernmost activity of the Civil War. … The citizens have the opportunity to not only observe and commemorate this event, they can be a part of it.”
The Vermont Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission’s principal partner in the marketing and promotion of Civil War events has been the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing.
Catherine Brooks, Cultural Heritage Tourism coordinator for the state, this week offered her assistance to promote this July’s Civil War Heritage weekend and to lay the groundwork for extensive promotion of the 2014 event.
Hudson spoke of the importance of the special designation for the 2014 St. Albans commemoration. “This means it will be marketed longer in advance and to a broader audience than other events and programs,” he explained.
The St. Albans events will receive special attention in a number of ways: on the state’s Civil War Sesquicentennial Web site (vermontcivilwar150.com) and the national Civil War Sesquicentennial Web site (civilwar150.org); in targeted advertising to regional markets; in a visitors guide to Vermont in the Civil War; and in displays and information provided to the public at Civil War events in the region and the eastern U.S., said Hudson.
The local St. Albans Raid Sesquicentennial Committee, with the help of Med-Associates, headquartered in Georgia, recently produced two new pamphlets. One provides information to potential volunteers. It is available from Peter DesLauriers (527-0565 or 10ten@myfairpoint.net) and Patty Rainville (527-9879 or hihopes@together.net). The second is for potential sponsors and is available from Mike Curtis (524-9000 or mikecurtis.vt@gmail.com).
Event sponsors, the Rotary Club of St. Albans and the Peoples Trust Company of St. Albans, have pledged sizeable cash contributions.
Also Messenger Print & Design recently provided hundreds of copies of an updated “St. Albans Historical Museum History Walk” booklet. It covers some 60 downtown historical sites, including those that are key to understanding the St. Albans Raid. The History Walks will be part of the sesquicentennial offerings.
Join to make the St. Albans Raid Sesquicentennial Commemoration a reality
Volunteers are being sought for the Sept. 18-21, 2014 commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the St. Albans Raid. Assistance is needed over a broad range of interests and talents:
- St. Albans Raid re-enactments — to include set builders, actors, audio assistance, and logistics personnel.
- St. Albans Raid Ball planners and volunteers.
- Creation/procurement of Civil War era costumes and management of the costume contest.
- Coordinators for the student productions of “The Trial of the Raiders.”
- Music and other acts for entertainment in Taylor Park.
- Coordination of The St. Albans Raid Half-Marathon.
- Assistance with quilt, antique and gun shows.
- Help in organizing Civil War era meals at local restaurants and for the St. Albans Raid Ball.
- Publicity, crowd control, and logistical staff.
Those interested in volunteering are asked to contact either Peter DesLauriers (527-0565 or 10ten@myfairpoint.net) and Patty Rainville (527-9879 or hihopes@together.net).
So, what’s in the works?
The Thursday, Sept. 18, though Sunday, Sept 21, 2014 events will include two re-enactments of the Confederate raiders’ assault on St. Albans, its citizens, and its banks.
While the raid occurred in mid-October, it was decided that September would offer a chance of warmer weather. Also, the events will coincide with the annual fall foliage season.
During the 150th anniversary commemoration, visitors to St. Albans — including ancestors of those actually involved in the Oct. 19, 1864 raid — will have the opportunity to:
- witness an elaborate re-enactment of the raid;
- meet and speak with Civil War era military and civilian re-enactors as they recreate life in that time period;
- take walking tours of the prime sites involved in the raid;
- learn about St. Albans connection to the Underground Railroad;
- attend a quilt show and antique guns exhibit;
- enjoy Civil War era music and bluegrass music;
- cheer on a grand review of re-enactors, officials dressed in Civil War attire and others during a parade around Taylor Park;
- and attend monthly lectures leading up to the weekend event.
Plans are to enlist the participation of downtown restaurants and businesses to participate in the re-creation of the Civil War era.
Also, a Civil War period costume ball, featuring food, music, and dances from the era will be held in the museum auditorium in 2014. A best-period-costume contest also will take place.
A unique aspect of the Saturday and Sunday 2014 events will be the grand march around the park to include the infantry and cavalry units (including horses) participating in the re-enactments. The parade will take place both days.
Facades depicting the banks and businesses that were pivotal to the Confederates attack on the city will stand along Main Street. The narrated re-enactment of the assault will take place for the audience in the park on both Saturday and Sunday.
Some 20 people, including the following subcommittee chairs, have been active thus far: Richard Cummings (802-524-7441), re-enactment; Cindy Rutkowski (802-524-6897), administration; Bill Bronson (802-524-6292), parade; Mike Curtis (802-524-9000), finance; Don Miner (802-863-1876), state liaison; and Gary Rutkowski (802-524-6897), public relations.
Others already involved in discussion include: Dominic Cloud, St. Albans City manager; and Lindsey Bryant, St. Albans Downtown manager.
The July 21-22, 2012 Civil War re-enactors’ visit to Taylor Park will be larger and most elaborate than any ever held here. The “living history” weekend not only will act as a dress rehearsal for the much larger 2014 events, but also is planned as a learning opportunity for young and old alike.
