Monterey — The Bidwell House Museum held two action-packed living history days over the weekend with “Life During the Revolution” programming. Over 100 reenactors from across New England and the Northeast brought to life the 1770s and the pitched battles between the Loyalists and Patriots in America’s Revolutionary War.
Reenactment organizer Tommy Tringale said that having two artillery pieces (cannons) on site was an exciting draw. “The folks staying for the weekend portrayed American and British infantry, Loyalists, and Native Americans, as well as others running a tavern, coffee house, and medical tent.”
Participants overhearing his description added their enthusiasm for the camp kitchen. Tringale agreed, “A hot feature of this event was cooking from the camp kitchen, which was the main way soldiers and followers were fed while the army was in the field or in garrison.”
Near the camp base of the Loyalists below the Bidwell House, two brothers, Shawn and Josh Brevick, who had traveled from Pennsylvania to take part in the weekend, were in character. They have taken part in reenactments for 30 years. Their elaborate costumes represented the Iroquois people of the time. “What many are surprised by about this time period is the fact that the Iroquois fought on the side of the British,” said Shawn. “By now they were dependent upon powder for their weapons and the cloth for clothing.”
Just beyond the historic Bidwell House itself, up the hill, past the native plant gardens, were the military camps including redcoats and their followers hard at work preparing their campsites. Small fires showed women mending and men loading muskets.
One family of four enjoyed weekend quality time. Their youngest, Jack, six, and his brother Gunnar, 12, paused for a quick photo in costume. Jack was distracted by his rock and the design he traced in the earth in front of him. Their dad Kyle Hendershot whispered, “We have a hotel room for tonight [Saturday] in Great Barington. Cheating a little.”
Tringale said, “The events at the Bidwell House Museum are unique for the living history community, as they have a mix of what everyone in the hobby enjoys at events. The included formal lectures and discussions in both first and third person on historical figures or topics, well designed tactical demonstrations, unique ground for military maneuvers, and the ability to camp with a carry-in-carry-out mentality (we call it campaign camping).”
“The reason the reenactors love coming here is partly because of the beautiful and forested location, where the woods go on for miles,” said Bidwell House Museum Executive Director Heather Kowalski. “You drive down a wooded dirt road to the museum, like going back in time. It feels authentic.”
Fall leaf-peepers are invited to explore the museum’s six miles of trails on the 190-plus-acre property just north of Monterey village. Trails are generally easy to navigate and offer walks of half a mile to over three miles. Trails can be enjoyed for hiking, historic interpretation, recreation, nature viewing, leaf-peeping, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. The property is open year round, daylight hours. Learn more at the Bidwell House Museum’s website.
