Sunday 13 September 2009

1812 Re-enactment

Saturday morning DH and I went to Backus Heritage Conservation Area to watch a re-enactment of the 1812 skirmish at the Backhouse Mill.
The mill is 211 years old and one of the few that survived the war.
The re-enactment was performed by the Norfolk Milita Heritage Regiment and by a Group of Americans from Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan.
This is a 2 day affair with 3 battles enacted.
We got to watch the re-enactment, stroll among the one of a kind period shops, chat with the soldiers and hear a history lesson as well.
There were historical demonstrations at the blacksmiths and at the surgeons house.
Loved seeing the young children and teenagers who were part of battle, they were so involved in the spirit of the event, not only with the costumes they wore but the part they played in the re-enactment.
Walking among this heavily forested and beautiful historic site ;combined with the crystal clear autumn weather, the smell and sound of cannon and musket fire , the shouts and yells of the soldiers, the amazing uniforms true to the era,the many other costumed participants all contributed to an feeling of travelling back in time.

What a great time !

2 comments:

Rosanne said...

Sounds like an interesting event!

Victoria Williams said...

Sounds like fun. I've always wanted to go to the one re-enactment they hold around here, has to do with the Oregon Trail and crossing of the Snake River. I'm going to have to do that some summer.