Heritage Weekend brings 1860s to life
Robert Bushnell, of Fletcher, portraying President Abraham Lincoln, and Sgt. Randy McCullers, of Johnstown, N.Y., a Confederate soldier re-enactor chat during St. Albans Civil War Heritage Weekend in 2012.
ST. ALBANS — The sounds of artillery and fiddle music around a campfire in Taylor Park this weekend might have some thinking they have traveled back in time.
On Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 17 and 18), re-enactors and history enthusiasts will take up residence in Taylor Park. Included will be Civil War period demonstrations, 1860s dress and activities for children and families during the Third Annual Civil War Heritage Weekend. All events are free to the public.
With companies from both the Union and Confederacy, Taylor Park again will be the site of authentic Civil War overnight encampments, where visitors can interact with military and civilian re-enactors.
During the day on Saturday and Sunday, re-enactors, dressed in authentic military garb, will perform unit maneuvers, artillery firings and cavalry demonstrations among other displays.
Attracting more re-enactors from Vermont, New York and beyond, organizers aim to make this year’s weekend even bigger and better, said Steve Smith, of the Champlain Valley Historical Reenactors (CVHR) and one of the event’s organizers.
The CVHR has worked closely with the St. Albans Historical Museum to produce the events. The museum on Church Street above the park will be open this weekend as usual.
With more “soldiers” on hand (as many as 70, camping in 45 tents on the park are expected), Smith said military re-enactors would present larger march demonstrations, including a small-scale re-enactment of Pickett’s Charge.
In part to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, Smith said Pickett’s Charge is a well-known example of how battles were drawn out during the Civil War.
“In explaining all this stuff, we kind of use Pickett’s Charge as an illustration of what can happen,” Smith, who acts as a narrator during military demonstrations, said. “The visual aspect really sank in.”
Beyond the re-enactors’ military re-enactments, there will be cooking demonstrations and a cadet corps activity for younger kids to enjoy. Smith said one era re-enactor sets up a sutler’s tent demonstrating wares and goods from the Civil War period. Other period artifacts will be on full display and a ladies’ auxiliary group will be in full dress as well.
“We’re doing a typical living-history event,” Smith said.
The re-enactors also will recreate the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. There also will be ceremonies at nearby Greenwood Cemetery where many Civil War veterans were laid to rest.
Smith said the aim of the Civil War Heritage weekend this year, as it has been in the two previous years, is to gear up for the bigger event in 2014.
St. Albans, from Sept 18 to 21, 2014 will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the St. Albans Raid, the northern-most land-based engagement in the Civil War. The state’s Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, comprised of historians, Vermont Chamber representatives, and state tourism officials, already has declared that the Most Significant Civil War Event in Vermont for 2014. The event will include two re-enactments of the raid.
Smith, a Mississippi native who represents his home state as a captain in the 2nd Mississippi Co. F. 9th Battalion, will join several fellow re-enactors donning the southern grays this weekend. He said many Vermonters and New Yorkers participate to honor ancestors and their former statesmen who fought.
“Particularly for the Vermont group and the New York group, there’s a real connection,” Smith said.
Two Franklin County Vermonters, Tyler Goodrich and his father, David, had relatives who fought in Vermont units during the Civil War.
While many of their fellow CVHR members will be traveling to St. Albans by traditional, modern means, the Goodriches this year are going to walk the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail from Berkshire to Taylor Park, starting on Thursday.
Serving as a test run, Tyler Goodrich said he hopes to turn the march — all with authentic clothing and camping and cooking gear — into a larger event with a fundraising aspect.
On Sunday, the Franklin County Regional Chamber of Commerce will be host for the first annual St. Albans Raid Half-Marathon, starting at 9 a.m. The Messenger will provide more information about the race later this week.
By IAN LORD
St. Albans Messenger Staff Writer
