Free
Wish you could have witnessed the battle at Lexington Green on April 19, 1775? Want to know just how red those redcoats were? No problem.
Just search the Internet for a list of Revolutionary War reenactments. Companies of reenactors regularly “fight” Revolutionary War battles all over again. Now, of course, no one is hurt, and the outcome is known in advance. Still, it’s living history, and you are there.
◀ The Revolutionary War was a family event, and so are many reenactments. Members of the Living History Association go through a probationary training period and supply their own authentic period gear before they can participate in reenactments. “Colonial” women and children help pound tent stakes, gather firewood, weave, and bake cherry pies over coals.
▲ It wasn’t easy to see Washington’s first crossing of the Delaware on Christmas night, 1776. The whole point was to cross under cover of darkness. But nowadays, you can see the crossing in broad daylight at 1:00 p.m. every Christmas Day. About 125 reenactors stand in for Washington’s 2,400 troops, parading on the Pennsylvania side before they cross. If you have other plans for December 25, you can see a full dress rehearsal on the second Sunday of December at 1:00 p.m.
▲ Many Loyalists fled to Canada during and after the war. The last group of refugees landed in St. John, New Brunswick, in 1783. Each year, Canada honors these brave settlers with a reenactment of the landing.
Where do you go to find a good-as-new Continental Army uniform? Try Jas. Townsend & Son, Inc., in Pierceton, Indiana. The company supplies reenactors and other history buffs with authentic uniforms and accessories. It also publishes a catalog, which can be seen online at www.jastown.com.
◀ On December 4, 1783, George Washington took leave of his ranking officers in a tearful and mostly silent farewell at Fraunces Tavern in New York City. Now, five times a year, 130 members of the New York American Revolution Round Table meet at the tavern to share their knowledge of the revolution. Yes, it’s still there!
British General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia, on October 19, 1781. Although the war dragged on for two more years, this American victory is considered crucial. So when October 19 falls on a weekend, Yorktown has a parade, tactical and artillery demonstrations, and encampments. ▶
Lexington Minutemen
▲ The Lexington Minutemen, formed in 1773, is the only colonial militia in existence. In addition to reenacting the battle on Lexington Green, the men participate in a reenactment of the British retreat to Boston after the fighting at Lexington and Concord. They also march in numerous parades. They don’t, however, take part in reenactments of other Revolutionary War battles. That wouldn’t be authentic. After the Battle of Bunker Hill, members of the Lexington Minutemen joined different units of Washington’s Continental Army, so they didn’t fight together as a group for the rest of the war.
Nowadays there is more gunfire than there actually was—just to add drama to the event. And the reenactment is confined to Lexington Green, whereas the actual battle expanded to surrounding areas.
If you want to see the Lexington Minutemen in action, you might visit Lexington in April. Each year, more than 1,200 reenactors from 22 states re-create the first day of the American Revolution.
