The 25th anniversary of the Hale Farm and Village Civil War event will be a treasured experience

BATH, OHIO—Hale Farm and Village, a museum of Western Reserve Historical Society, brings the Civil War to life at the annual Civil War Reenactment and Encampment, August 10-11, 2013. The Reenactment at Hale Farm & Village is the largest annual Civil War reenactment in Ohio.

Beginning on August 9, Hale Farm “Civil War Education Day,” in partnership with the 6th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry presents a sneak peek into the making of a reenactment. Visitors have the unique opportunity to observe Union and Confederate camp set-up, meet soldiers and civilians in period dress, and enjoy all that Hale Farm and Village has to offer.

During Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11, visitors can experience the sights and sounds of The Battle of Gettysburg being reenacted at 2pm both days. Visitors can shake hands with “President Lincoln” who will be at Hale to mark the 150th anniversary of this seminal battle in the nation’s history. Over 500 reenactors will be set up at the encampment, and visitors are invited to walk through the campgrounds and talk with those dressed in period clothing and uniforms.

The Battle of Gettysburg will be reenacted at 2pm both days. Other highlights of the weekend include Camp Chase Fife and Drum corps and shopping on Sutlers Row with vendors of Civil War era merchandise. Cavalry mounted drills, foot soldier drills, and weapons and uniforms of the Civil War will also take place throughout the weekend.

Prior to the 2pm Battle Reenactment on Saturday, August 10, Ohio’s Civil War 150th Advisory Committee will present Hale Farm and Village with a Heritage Award to recognize its efforts commemorating Ohio’s Civil War involvement.

This year, the reenactment will use all locations of the Hale Farm and Village property to recreate the engagements during the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg. In years past, visitors have been required to gaze on from afar as the reenacted battle scenario unfolded. Each individual structure at Hale Farm & Village will represent farms, buildings, and locations from Gettysburg during this year’s reenactment.

Chris Smith, an Ohioan and reenactor taking part in the event at Hale Farm and Village, said, “I grew up in a family that loves history. After reading books, eventually you look for a more tactile understanding. Living history allows you to taste, smell, and feel a part of what they must have gone through. Now when I read about the soldiers, I can better grasp their experience in some small fashion. I’ve been that hot. I’ve been that cold. I’ve been that dirty and wet.”

Advance tickets are available for the weekend-long event, with regular admission for one-day visitors and special pricing for those who choose to purchase two-day tickets. For adults, a two-day ticket is $15.00 ($10.00 for one day) and children two-day admission is $7.50 ($5.00 for one day). Each day offers activities for the whole family and the opportunity to experience the life during the American Civil War. Visit: www.HaleFarm.org or http://www.wrhs.org/Properties/Civil_War_Reenactment_Encampment

“The Civil War Reenactment & Encampment brings the past to life in a memorable way. Reenactment weekend is something that our entire organization contributes to,” said Gainor Davis, President & CEO of WRHS. “This event gives us the opportunity to give the community a learning experience that goes hand in hand with one of our current exhibits, Photography in the Civil War: The WRHS Civil War Collections.”

The weekend of historic reenactment and battle reproduction caps off WRHS’ ongoing efforts in educating the public about the Civil War. The Photography in the Civil War exhibit at the History Center in University Circle features prints of civilian life, military encampments, battles, and the lives of slaves. Regimental papers, diaries, and letters from the time period are also included in the exhibit, all of which are part of the widely acclaimed WRHS Civil War collection.

Hale Farm and Village is located on 90 acres, with 32 historic structures, farm animals, heritage gardens, food preparation, and early American craft and trade demonstrations including glassblowing, blacksmithing, broom making and home crafts. Hale Farm and Village is open Wednesday-Sunday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. For more information on the location, visit www.halefarm.org or call 330.666.3711. Admission is $10 for adults, $10; $9 for seniors, and $5 for children 3-12. Those under 3 are admitted free of charge. Turn-by-turn directions to Hale Farm and Village are also available online.

Forward men... on to Hale Farm!

Now that Gettysburg is behind us and we are licking our wounds, companies need to start getting ready for our next event at Ohio's Hale Farm and Village on August 9-11.

Due to all of the Gettysburg activities in PA, the deadline for pre-registration shown on the form has been extended to July 31st! Please make sure to get this taken care of. You can even register on-line with a credit card.

Go to http://www.wrhs.org/Properties/Civil_War_Reenactment_Encampment for all of the information including a new map on how to get to Hale Farm.

This year, the battle scenarios will be unlike any other experienced at Hale as we recreate the 1st Day at Gettysburg with fighting around the "McPherson Farm" and the outskirts of town. Camps have rotated as we have done before. The Federal troops are back in the Village.

This is a 2d Battalion max-effort event. Get your men up and going!

Gettysburg Reenactor Registration, Walk-Ons and Cars In Camp

General reenactor registration closed June 3 for the purpose of preparing on-site registration check in materials. Living History closed May 15 and will not be open to walk-ons. There are now approximately 10,000 registered reenactors, 135 cannon including several horse-drawn and approximately 400 horses. The living history area will be 700 strong. Final numbers before walk-ons are still being entered. Military walk-ons will be accepted at the event registration beginning Tuesday July 2 at 8:00 AM. Walk-ons not belonging to a recognized registered unit will be assigned to a provisional unit with no exceptions. Walk-ons must show identification and sign all the necessary waivers and safety acknowledgements before being allowed to enter the camps. All reenactors will receive a Reenactor Information Sheet with a variety of useful information at registration.

Some participants voiced concern regarding Thursday and Friday arrival. We heard their concern and cars will be allowed in camp to unload both Thursday & Friday until dusk. After unloading, the vehicle must be removed from camp immediately to Reenactor Parking. Your cooperation promptly removing your vehicle is appreciated out of respect for your comrades and for the integrity of the event. Military Command will closely monitor this policy. Friday evening will conclude vehicles being allowed in camps - until horse trailers are allowed back in camp after the morning cavalry battle, to avoid horses sitting in the heat at the site or on the highway. Absolutely no other vehicles will be allowed in camp until the final battle is completed on Sunday afternoon. Each reenactor in the vehicle entering camp must have their own Reenactor Pass to be allowed into camp. If any of the occupants do not have their pass the vehicle will be sent back to registration. Registration is open until 10PM each evening. Please plan you arrival hours accordingly. After 10 pm reenactors will be staged near registration until the next morning. Attempting to drive in and set up camp in the dark is dangerous and disturbing to your comrades already there. Horse and artillery registration is beside the command center and will be well marked. This is an area abut 1/4 mile from general registration with more room for the rigs and allows horses to be taken out of trailers and watered if necessary after a long journey. There will be food service available in the CSA Camp and near the Living History Area for the Federal Camp after Tuesday at 12 pm.

Opportunities for the Summer at Hale Farm

Volunteer Recruitment and Orientation on Saturday June 1st, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Gatehouse Visitor Center. Bring your friends and family to explore volunteer opportunities in the farm and horticulture program, crafts and trades venues, historic preservation, signature programming, interpretation, food service and more. All WRHS volunteers are required to complete a volunteer application.

www.halefarm.org

Beaver Creek a success

The first 2d Battalion event of 2013 is in the can as they say. My thanks to all the troops who turned out to the Beaver Creek reenactment. What perfect weather for reenacting! I will have a full AAR coming this week, but in the meantime, please enjoy these photos taken by Andy Donaldson.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/macian/sets/72157633716317661/

Bireny's Division 2013-14 insurance information

Greetings Birney's Division member units,

We are pleased to again offer Commercial General Liability Insurance to protect members for the rest of 2013 into the 2014 season. We have received the renewal notice and again I am happy to report that coverages and costs remain the same as the current coverage.

We are asking that you get your head counts and submit the premium before June 29th, 2013 along with a list of all events your company will be attending for the rest of the season from June until next season. Battalion and Division staff members should send this information directly to Dennis. Please get this information and premium to me by the June date, there is a lot going on this year and time is limited.

The cost per member per year remains at $8 each. Please make check or money order out to Dennis Rohrbaugh and mail to:

5300 Greenvillage Road
Chambersburg, PA 17202-7311

Any questions; please contact Col. Rohrbaugh at cpldlr160@comcast.net

Memorial Day weekend at Beaver Creek

Don't forget that the annual Civil War event at Beaver Creek State Park is Memorial Day weekend. That is just a few short weeks away! Hope to see all of you there. Please pass along links below to family and friends as well. Admission to the event is FREE to the public.

http://www.beavercreekcivilwar.com

https://www.facebook.com/BeaverCreekCivilWar