A commemoration of St. Albans area Union soldiers’ return home from the Civil War and a celebratory dance to mark the historic 1865 mustering-out will take place here on Saturday, Aug. 22.
The event, sponsored by the Champlain Valley Historical Reenactors (CVHR), will focus not only on a mustering-out ceremony in the park, but also living-history displays there, and a bank robbery re-enactment at the Peoples Trust Company on Kingman Street at 1 p.m.
The bank robbery is a nod of the hat to the St. Albans Raid, the northernmost land action of the Civil War, when about 20 Confederate raiders struck the town and its banks.
St. Albans commemorated that significant event last year, which also included a hugely successful dance featuring 1860s’ music and attendees in period clothing.
A similar dance, featuring members of the Victorian Dance Ensemble of Harrisburg, Pa., will be held in the St. Albans Historical Museum’s Bliss Room. A dance master and floor manager from the ensemble will attend and a dance practice will take place from 3 to 4 p.m., also at the museum.
The dance to include light refreshments will take place from 8 to 11 p.m. (donation of $10 payable at the door). It will be open to the general public and period clothing is encouraged but not required, although white gloves are suggested.
Organizer Jim Fouts, a St. Albans resident and member of CVHR, said, “The whole idea of the dance is to listen to some toe-tapping music, take part in some historic dances and have some fun.”
For more information, call Jim Fouts at 802-524-4842, or send an email to jfouts2114@comcast.net.
