For World War One living history programs, the last few years have been hard, as they have been hard for everyone. The ending of the centennial in 2018 meant that some of the wind had gone out of the sails in the broader community. The Great War Association maintained its private battle events in Pennsylvania, however, and commendable organizations like the East Coast Doughboys had done their part to keep Great War living history programs going. But the wind-down of the centennial, combined with the closures of the all-too-real pandemic reenactment of a century prior, put a damper on WWI living history venues as a whole. However, there have been attempts to rekindle the fires and bring the Great War back into the mainstream of public interpretation again.
Matt Moore, and the staff at Fort Mott in Pennsville, had arranged for a one-day public Great War program on March 25. Unfortunately, rainstorms were coming through, triggering a rescheduling to Sunday two days before the event. The decision was a good one as Sunday was a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the upper fifties to lower sixties, with low humidity. Perfect "wool weather." The idyllic day also brought out a lot of visitors to the park who spoke with the reenactors and checked out the displays. The entry road, near the park buildings, was the site of the event itself, with the Entente powers on one side of the road and the Central powers on the other.
A wide variety of displays were set up, some with tentage and large displays, others specializing in something specific, while others were "mobile," moving about the displays. The 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex, was represented along with VAD Sharon. At the start of the street was the American Expeditionary Force along with their medical contingent; the French Zouaves in their brightly colored, North African-inspired uniforms; Matt W. as early-war Beglian; ourselves representing the British; next to us the Canadians; and at the end, the Russian Empire. Opposite the street were the Bavarians with a display of pickelhaubes, other Austrians and Germans, and the Kaiser's navy.
Our ambitions to set up the fly were checked when a support pole cracked, negating us having the shade we had planned for. Nevertheless, we kept calm and carried on. Our brazier and tea kettle got a lot of use throughout the day, with other reenactors availing themselves of Tommy's brew or heating up their rations over the coals.
The program had an early start we we arrived about 8:30 to set up. Officially, the event started at 10 and went until 4. During the course of the day, a steady stream of visitors and families came through, checking out the displays, talking, and asking questions. A particular highlight was when a Mr. Softie ice cream truck pulled into the parking lot. All in all, it felt very much like a spring day with good company, high spirits, and a renewed enthusiasm for Great War living history work. The organizers said that they hope to expand the venue to a full weekend event next year, and we look forward to that.
Matt Moore, and the staff at Fort Mott in Pennsville, had arranged for a one-day public Great War program on March 25. Unfortunately, rainstorms were coming through, triggering a rescheduling to Sunday two days before the event. The decision was a good one as Sunday was a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the upper fifties to lower sixties, with low humidity. Perfect "wool weather." The idyllic day also brought out a lot of visitors to the park who spoke with the reenactors and checked out the displays. The entry road, near the park buildings, was the site of the event itself, with the Entente powers on one side of the road and the Central powers on the other.
A wide variety of displays were set up, some with tentage and large displays, others specializing in something specific, while others were "mobile," moving about the displays. The 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex, was represented along with VAD Sharon. At the start of the street was the American Expeditionary Force along with their medical contingent; the French Zouaves in their brightly colored, North African-inspired uniforms; Matt W. as early-war Beglian; ourselves representing the British; next to us the Canadians; and at the end, the Russian Empire. Opposite the street were the Bavarians with a display of pickelhaubes, other Austrians and Germans, and the Kaiser's navy.
Our ambitions to set up the fly were checked when a support pole cracked, negating us having the shade we had planned for. Nevertheless, we kept calm and carried on. Our brazier and tea kettle got a lot of use throughout the day, with other reenactors availing themselves of Tommy's brew or heating up their rations over the coals.
The program had an early start we we arrived about 8:30 to set up. Officially, the event started at 10 and went until 4. During the course of the day, a steady stream of visitors and families came through, checking out the displays, talking, and asking questions. A particular highlight was when a Mr. Softie ice cream truck pulled into the parking lot. All in all, it felt very much like a spring day with good company, high spirits, and a renewed enthusiasm for Great War living history work. The organizers said that they hope to expand the venue to a full weekend event next year, and we look forward to that.
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