News

Hundreds of re-enactors to set up camp at Cantigny this weekend

Posted September 10, 2009 11:00 pm

Robert Sanchez

The Northwest Territory Alliance is a nonprofit educational organization that studies and re-creates the culture, lifestyle and arts of the American Revolution. Courtesy of Cantigny Park

More than 250 American Revolutionary War re-enactors from six states will converge this weekend on Cantigny Park for a series of mock battles inspired by the birth of our nation.

They will be joined on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12 and 13, by 150 women and children who will be dressed in period costumes and breathe life into an 18th century encampment at the park near Wheaton.

"This provides a firsthand account about what life was like back in the 18th century," said Laura Evans, Cantigny's director of visitors services. "It's a very good depiction of what the soldiers went through during that time."

It will be the 22nd year the Northwest Territory Alliance - a nonprofit educational organization that studies and re-creates the culture, lifestyle and arts of the American Revolution - has partnered with Cantigny to stage the event.

Marilyn Hess, a longtime member of the Northwest Territory Alliance, said she and her fellow re-enactors will spend the entire weekend on the Cantigny grounds living the way the redcoats and patriots did in the field during the Revolutionary War.

That includes sleeping in tents and preparing all their meals over a fire. No modern amenities like flashlights, charcoal or electricity will be used.

"Cantigny is very good to us," Hess said. "The campsite is absolutely wonderful. It's shady and they provide us with very good wood for cooking and things like that."

Of course, the highlight of the simulation will be the battles between the redcoats and patriots fought twice a day in the parade field.

With uniforms, muskets and cannons painstakingly created to look as authentic as possible, the re-enactors will play out different scenarios inspired by history.

"We call on battle scenarios that we've read about," Hess said. "Of course, we don't have the number of men that the Revolutionary War had, so we have to do it on a smaller scale."

While the outcome of every battle is predetermined, Hess stressed that the Colonial Army doesn't always win.

"If we didn't play fair, the British wouldn't play with us," she said. "We take turns winning the battles. That's how we keep everybody happy."

Even on a small scale, the battles draw big crowds. Organizers expect the event to draw as many as 10,000 visitors to Cantigny.

Guests will be able to check out the other highlight of the weekend: the Giving DuPage Volunteer Fair. More than 30 organizations, including Northern Illinois Food Bank and the American Cancer Society, will be on-site with information on how people can give back to the community.

"There are many volunteer opportunities," said Kathy Blair, executive director of Giving DuPage. "We're hoping that each agency will have the chance to talk about their opportunities so folks can get involved."

The volunteer fair and Revolutionary War re-enactment run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the events is free, but it costs $5 to park.

An authentic Revolutionary War re-enactment will be held on Saturday and Sunday at Cantigny Park near Wheaton. Daily Herald File Photo

Daily artillery demonstrations are part of this weekend's Revolutionary War re-enactment at Cantigny Park. Courtesy of Cantigny Park

Patriots and redcoats will fight simulated battles twice a day this weekend in the parade field at Cantigny Park. Daily Herald File Photo

While the simulated battles planned for this weekend aren't as large as the real thing, organizers are expecting thousands of people to come out and watch. Courtesy of Cantigny Park

Revolutionary War re-enactment A Revolutionary War re-enactment runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12 and 13, at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Admission is free, but there is a $5 charge for parking. For details, visit cantigny.org. SATURDAY 10 a.m. Morning Troop 10:30 a.m. Flag Dedication, 1st Division Museum Noon Morning Battle 12:30 p.m. River Valley Fife and Drum 1 p.m. Uniforms of the Revolutionary War 1:30 p.m. Ladies and Their Dress 2 p.m. Children's Battle 2:30 p.m. Heritage Band of Music 3 p.m. Conversation with a Musician 3:30 p.m. Roll the Soldier 4 p.m. Artillery Demonstration 4:30 p.m. Battle and Closing Colors SUNDAY 10 a.m. Morning Troop and Church Parade 11 a.m. Morning Battle Noon River Valley Fife and Drum 12:30 p.m. Uniforms of the Revolutionary War 1 p.m. Ladies and Their Dress 1:30 p.m. Children's Games 2 p.m. Conversation with a Musician 2:30 p.m. Heritage Band of Music 3 p.m. Artillery Demonstration 3:30 p.m. Battle and Closing Colors

Article Comments

Article Categories
Communities Local Neighbor News Wheaton Winfield

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.