MONTEREY, Mass. — The Bidwell House Museum s hosting a weekend long living history event Raid on Township #1 on Sept. 18 and 19.

 

Visitors will experience a recreation of raids conducted by British Regular Forces along with Native and Loyalist allies in the Mohawk Valley after the Saratoga Campaign. 

 

From 1778-1783, battles were fought all over upstate New York and the 'frontier' over control of land that had long been in dispute between the Native Americans and Colonial Settlers.

 

Reenactors will put on two public battle demonstrations to show how the raids were conducted. Throughout the weekend visitors can walk through both the American and British/Allied camps and learn how both Soldiers and Followers lived while on campaign.

 

Cooking and sewing projects as well as fatigue duty will help bring to life a camp during the American Revolution. Visitors will also learn about the weapons used during the American Revolution with musket and artillery demonstrations; how the military forces made use of Sutlers (vendors); and also understand the roles played by women and children who either followed the Army or struggled on the home front. There will be lectures on war medicine, midwifery and clothing. 

 

The Bidwell House Museum is set on 192 acres of forests and trails in the former Township #1 (today's Monterey and Tyringham).

 

Program Details:

 

Artillery Demonstration (Sat and Sun) – Come learn about how artillery played a role during the American Revolution with the 7th Company, 4th Battalion Royal Artillery. Visitors will learn all the steps in loading and firing a cannon, as well as the roles that each Artillerist and tool played to help the operation run smoothly on the field.

 

Medicine and Health (on Sat) – Join Paul Supley as he discusses the difference between Civilian Doctors and Military Surgeons and the processes Medical Experts took up to keep people of the 1770's healthy

 

"Last Man Standing" musket competition (on Sat) – Soldiers on both sides of the conflict were required to constantly drill and master the use of the musket. In this fun program, come witness a competition amongst participants as they follow the manual of arms steps for loading and firing their musket as quickly as possible

 

Fashion Show (on Sun) -Military and Civilian material culture changed constantly during the American Revolutionary era. Join Tom Tringale and his fellow reenactors as they show off various clothing and accoutrements worn/used during the 1770's.

 

This event will be open from 10-4:00 pm on Saturday, September 18 and 10-2:30 pm on Sunday, Sept. 19. There will also be a special preview night on September 17. Details about that event and ticket prices will follow in late August.

 

Tickets to this event must be purchased in advance on the Museum's website here: https://www.bidwellhousemuseum.org/event/raid-on-township-1/.

 

Walk-ins will not be permitted. You can purchase either 1-day or 2-day tickets, and tickets for children 12 and under are free.

 

There will be snacks and drinks for purchase onsite. A tentative schedule for this event can be found on the Museum's website. A final schedule will be posted in September.