Saturday and Sunday, May 17th and 18th , was the big Anniversary Commemoration on the grounds of the Virginia Museum of the Civil War, New Market Battlefield State Historical Park.
The sun was shining and there couldn’t have been a better day for the festivities.
At 10am Saturday, there was the Artillery Firing to kickoff the day. There were Union and Confederate Army drills and black powder demos. There was a fife and drum presentation held in front of the encampment tents.
The tents were all set up, just as they would have been during the war. Enactors were available to explain what was there, and to show the different weapons. The uniforms were, if not original, made so well that one could not tell the difference.
The ladies in attendance were dressed to the nines in period attire, complete with layers of crinolines under their voluminous skirts. One reenactor had a real Civil War era parasol, with an ornately carved ivory handle. The silk top of the parasol had to be replaced, but it looked as original as the handle. Ladies of the era were not to get in the sun, or get sunburned, so were often seen wearing gloves and carrying the parasols to shield themselves from the harmful rays.
According to the Museum, the volunteers made this event possible. Those included – Giles Artillery, 24th and 33rd Virginia Infantry, The Society of Civil War Surgeons, 19th Virginia Company B, and Company A 54th PA Infantry.
Across the field is the 1825 Bushong home, which VMI surgeons used as a field hospital after the battle of New Market. This is where all the tents and medical demonstrations were found. The house was open for viewing, with a knowledgeable docent in period garb greeting all the guests.
The side yard of the home had games of the era, cooking demonstrations in the summer kitchen, and dancing.
It was a very informative and fun weekend, made even more special by the volunteers who took the time to talk to each and every visitor
The museum is open for tours and to walk the battlefields.
8895 George Collins Memorial Pkwy, New Market, VA 22844
540-740-3101
Email – nmbshp@vmi.edu
Facebook – Virginia Museum of the Civil War at New Market Battlefield
