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Marblehead History Comes Alive at Glover's Encampment
Revolutionary War re-enactment provides education, ambience at Fort Sewall.
On the historic bluffs of Fort Sewall this weekend, dozens of re-enactors from across New England mustered for Glover's Encampment, an annual family affair offering a glimpse into the lives of the first American patriots.
Families toured the camp and browsed the goods for sale from merchants, and children shouldered wooden muskets as members of General Glover's Regiment demonstrated loading and firing with their replica weapons.
The crack of the muskets and the booming thunder of a replica cannon echoed across the harbor, while the smell of gun powder and wood fires filled the air.
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Larry Sands of Marblehead, a captain in the local regiment, said the goal for the historical re-enactments at Fort Sewall has been education and the opportunity to present "living history" for new generations.
"I have a love of history and a love of education," said Sands, a financial consultant who has participated in the regiment for 20 years. "It's good fun to see the kids' faces."
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The regiment was founded in 1974 in anticipation of the bicentennial, and in honor of John Glover, the Marblehead sea captain famous for his role as a forefather of the American navy.
Sgt. Palmer Hedley of the United Train of Artillery of Rhode Island came from Warren, R.I., making the trek to Marblehead for the fourth or fifth time.
Hedley, a retired military veteran, said he participates in 10 to 15 re-enactments a year all over the country and in Quebec. For him, it's about friendship and camaraderie among the re-enactors.
"I enjoy the camaraderie of the unit; I enjoy talking to people about the history of the unit, and especially cannons," Hedley said.
Under a tent at the encampment, George and Carol Monte of Monson ate berries and kept cool in the shade. The tent held tables topped with tin lanterns hand-crafted by George Monte, for sale from about $30 and up.
"We've been re-enacting for 21 years and coming to Marblehead for six years," George said.
This may be the last year the retired couple participates. "We want to spend more time at our camp in Maine," Carol Monte said.
Spending a weekend in a cloth tent, and sleeping on the ground, can be a little hard to bear sometimes, George Monte said.
Life as a re-enactor may not be as hard-scrabble as that of the colonial revolutionaries, but it can be expensive.
Sands, whose period outfit includes a tri-corner cap, regimental uniform with an officer's epaulets, and a replica naval cutlass, said a replica musket costs about $700 to $1,000.
"It probably costs a few thousand dollars to get outfitted, including shoes and everything else," he said.
Glover's Encampent continues through Sunday.
