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Simsbury Historical Society to host Revolutionary War militia encampment on April 25
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Summary
The Simsbury Historical Society will transform its center into a Revolutionary War militia encampment on Saturday, April 25, with reenactors, demonstrations of 18th-century crafts and daily-life activities; the free event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Simsbury Historical Society will host a Revolutionary War militia encampment on Saturday, April 25, open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jane McAlpine, the society's executive director and co-chair of Simsbury's 250th celebration committee, said during an interview on Simsbury Community Media.
"This is a free event. It's open to the public. Starts at 10 a.m., and will close down at 4:00," McAlpine said, inviting families and neighbors to come to the society's center of town.
McAlpine said reenactors from the Ye Old Lebanon Town Militia will set up a period-appropriate encampment, explaining that the volunteer group recreates Revolutionary War life "to the best of their ability." Organizers plan a slate of demonstrations and interactive activities intended to show daily camp life, including militia training, musket blank firings, powder-horn carving, basket weaving, leather working, eighteenth-century beekeeping and food-preservation techniques.
She noted that camp followers'women and children who traveled with militias'will be represented in demonstrations of clothes washing, food repair and care for the sick, and that there will be a surgical-care demonstration intended to illustrate historic battlefield medicine. The program will also include period music, participatory games (including examples of early forms of soccer) and animal husbandry exhibits.
McAlpine said the event will run rain or shine unless there is an "absolute deluge," and that organizers will post a rain date if necessary. She also urged residents participating in the town's annual spring cleanup to stop by the historical society after the event; volunteers typically drop off at the center when the cleanup concludes.
The society is presenting the program as part of Simsbury's 250th celebration series in collaboration with Simsbury Community Media; McAlpine encouraged listeners to check Simsbury Community Media for additional coverage and logistical updates.
