Unfortunately, bad weather necessitated the cancellation of the Roseland Historical Society Timeline event on October 12.
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Our September 1830s Victorian event at Long Pond Ironworks was a great success! Our thanks to Nathan Bedford in particular, the Friends of Long Pond Ironworks, the West Milford Players, and the staff of Ringwood State Park, and the sponsors for making a fantastic day. Our original Victorian Day was planned for May but had been washed out by rain. We were lucky that this time the weather was beautiful. A one-day program, we had crafters, artisans, and musicians as well as our own military demonstrations by the 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment with our civilians. We were also joined by a former enemy, now friend, an ex-dragoon of the late Napoleon Bonaparte. We conducted drills and demonstrations throughout the day and enjoyed our dinner at DeMarco's Pizzeria after, which donated part of the proceeds to the site. At night, we were part of the Candle Lantern Tours which brought visitors from station to station with the West Milford Players putting on vignettes. All in all, a top notch event!  Followers of the Captain's Blog will know that last year, we had to pull the plug on the Ringwood Timeline due to lightning storms. Fortunately, we had an excellent weekend this time and had an even bigger turnout than before! Maybe people were extra excited considering we couldn't have the event last time? The format stayed the same as before but each year is a little different and special in its own way. Set up began Friday afternoon, with people arriving to pitch their tents and set up their displays. This year we had a massive Vietnam and World War 2 display which also included two Jeeps for the first time. Our earliest impression was Roman, but we also had a Conquistador, the American Revolution era, and the full run of the 19th and 20th Centuries. This event was carried largely by the Royal Sussex Society Civilian Committee, although Reed debuted the 9th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, as it was in Burma in late World War 2. Noon featured a firearms demonstration, conducted by the WW2 Americans on Saturday and the Civil War contingent on Sunday. On Saturday we were fortunate to have Celeste Sherry give a presentation and demonstration on spinning and fibercrafts at 1pm, which drew an audience that filled up the tent. On Sunday, Jack Sherry gave a presentation on Benjamin Franklin, complete with kite, likewise electrifying the visitors. The Ringwood Timeline remains one of our flagship events and we are very appreciative and thankful to Sue Shutte and all the staff at Ringwood State Park for their support in hosting this program. Next year's timeline is scheduled for August 8-9, 2026. We also want to thank Arkady Gofman for letting us share some pictures he took Sunday. So much has been written online about the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, your captain has decided not to re-invent the wheel, so to speak, but will share some links below containing coverage and pictures. How to describe the reenactment of Bunker Hill in one word? "Intense." Without a doubt, the Bunker Hill 250th, held at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, MA, was one of the most impressive, greatest reenactment events the 35th has ever participated in. A huge turnout of reenactors, good weather, good planning by dedicated people, a massive audience, ships just off the shore, and good friends to be with, all combined for an epic start for the 250th anniversaries. The Lexington and Concord events, plus Bunker Hill, round out the major 1775 anniversaries for the region. Of course, the Continental army would march on Canada and attempt to wrest away a 14th colony from the Crown, but that would not be successful. The 35th's first taste of battle in the American Revolution was at Bunker Hill. The flank companies, specifically, fought the colonists in the bloodiest battle of the war. We attempted to show a degree of what that might've looked like at this event where our redcoats stormed the defenses on top of Breed's Hill three times with heavy casualties. The 35th was proud to be part of this spectacular opportunity to showcase this major historical event and recognize the regiment's actual participation, albeit not on the same ground (Charlestown today is too built up to host a major reenactment). We also want to thank our friends in the 23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers who we fell out with in a combined grenadier company, with the other grenadier company composed of the Guards, 10th, 49th, and 64th Regiments. We were so invested in the event itself, we actually didn't get many photos of our own! https://www.facebook.com/p/250th-Anniversary-Battle-of-Bunker-Hill-Reenactment-61560602770511/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhrM6rYl0X8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=5zfWZA42Zb4&t=225s https://battleofbunkerhill250.com/2025/06/23/nearly-20000-gather-for-successful-weekend-of-battle-of-bunker-hill-250th-commemorative-events/ https://battleofbunkerhill250.com/2025/06/21/celebrations-are-underway-for-the-250th-reenactment-of-the-battle-of-bunker-hill/  Victorians returned to the Roseland Historical Society at the Harrison House in even greater numbers than last year. This time, the 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment was also joined by an international contingent of American (Michael), Russian (Jackson and Dylan), and Italian (Larry) guests, plus more civilians! Visitors came by to talk throughout the day and tour the house built in 1824. As a Sunday in June, the weather was pleasant - not too hot, which is ideal for wool-wearers. Military personnel conducted drills on the lawn and Celeste Sherry demonstrated fiber crafts on the porch of the house. Our new member, Thomas (of the Oxford Collar Co.), used the time alternatively between hand-sewing a pair of gaiters and learning musket drill. We are always better for the presence of our 35th ladies, too, joined by Sharon, Meredith, Anne, and Kristin making her debut 19th Century event. Last year, avid readers of the Captain's Blog may recall, the Hawthorne Memorial Day was canceled due to the threat of rain. This year, fortunately, the weather was clear and pleasant with great numbers turning out for the occasion, both in marchers and spectators. The Royal Sussex Society once again opened the invitation to other Allied representations to make up the World War One historical contingent. With two British Tommies, two American Doughboys, our British Red Cross VAD, and our civilian volunteer, we had a fine showing of smart marching through the borough of Hawthorne as we paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation.  The Flanders Delegation and its partner organizations, the City of New York, and NATO allied countries held their annual In Flanders Fields commemoration at Clinton-DeWitt Park in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan. Each year, the Delegation sponsors ceremony at the doughboy statue, raised with funds by locals a century ago. A bugler from the Doughboy Foundation played The Last Post and Taps during the program, where wreaths were laid in remembrance of those who served, and those who never came back home, for the liberation of Flanders during the First World War. The Royal Sussex represented the British in our historical presence alongside the Americans of the East Coast Doughboys and bersagliere of the Italian Front Project. Afterward, we were treated to a reception at Flanders House where, in addition to lunch, they showed a presentation on the American involvement in Belgian relief, and later direct military intervention in the conflict. We are always honored and delighted to be a part of this occasion, now nine years running with the exception of 2020. Pictures by Kevin Fitzpatrick The 1830s Victorian Weekend at Long Pond Ironworks, whichwe had put a great deal of planning and effort into, was shattered by Mother Nature who had other ideas. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday are predicted to have thunderstorms on and off, which would make hosting the event impossible. So, unfortunately, with the Friends of Long Pond Ironworks, we had to pull the plug. It echoed last year's Ringwood Manor Timeline event that had to be canceled due to rain. (Ringwood Manor is only a few miles from Long Pond.)
Our next 1830s event is scheduled for Sunday, June 1, at the Williams-Harrison House in Roseland, NJ. While the "actual" 250th anniversary of Lexington and Concord is being held on April 19 in Massachusetts, Museum Village in Monroe, NY, also wanted to join in on America's anniversary. On March 27, an interpretation of the events which began the war for independence was held, using the "town" environment with its central green as an interpretation of Lexington. The 35th Regiment was joined by the 23rd, 15th, and 59th Regiments to form the British force under Maj. Pitcairn while the Huntington Militia and 5th NY portrayed the Minutemen.
Lexington had the British march out onto the field, met by a line of Minutemen. "Do not fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here," Captain Parker said. "Disperse, ye damned rebels!" The British commander roared out. A shot was heard (allegedly around the world, no less!) and the chaos began. An exchange of fire, a charge by the British into the rebels... in the simulated mayhem, the British line's order was restored and the Minutemen fell back. For the Concord scenario, the scene was largely in reverse, with the British withdrawing back to "Boston" while being fired upon by the Minutemen all along the route. All in all, it was a very successful and enjoyable day with good weather, a good audience, and good company! We were proud to have played a small part in the commencement of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The 35th's return to the annual Old Bethpage Village Candlelight Tour was a busy and very satisfying event to close out our 2024 calendar. Three soldiers and two ladies of the start of Queen Victoria's reign were set up in the William Benjamin House, built in 1829, making our 1830s contingent a particularly appropriate one for the structure, although obviously it never housed the Queen's Finest. The original owner, the Rev. William F. Benjamin, served in the militia during the War of 1812, and his sabre is on display in the house which is decorated as it likely was around 1830. He was a farmer and a Congregationalist minister. There were about 10 people living in the house at the time, and the front room was at one point occupied by an 85-year-old woman who had nowhere else to live, the beneficiary of the minister's charity. The evening on the 26th started off with a false non-start: we arrived a little after 5, when the tours began, and it was quiet initially. The soldiers occupied the living room with our ladies setting up in the kitchen. About 5:30, however, the tours arrived in earnest and did not let up until almost 9:30--four hours later. We discussed the house, Victorian Christmas traditions, the British army, society, and more without let up to group after group. The audiences were very engaged and as a result of the constant interaction, the time seemed to fly by. We were told that approximately 2,000 people came to visit Old Bethpage Village that night, visiting the various houses and walking around the grounds illuminated only by lanterns. We are very appreciative for the opportunity to go back to Old Bethpage and talk to so many people about the early Victorian era and its shaping of our modern ideas of Christmas. This also closes our 2024 events, a very busy and rewarding year for reenactment and living history. Happy holidays and happy new year to all our friends and supporters! Photos by Vivian D., Sharon and John V.V. |
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