Tuesday, March 15, 2011

A Step Back in Time

We love the history here in NC and have made several visits to Battleground Park, but this was the first year we had the chance to get immersed (at least for a couple of hours) in the Revolutionary War battle that took place there.

Each year in mid-March, they hold a reenactment.  It is awesome.
Hundreds of men (and a few women) get dressed up in period clothing,

wield their muskets



rifles,

or cannons...

load 'em up

and shoot at each other.
Very educational.
We learned:
*That there were no medics for wars at this time.
You just waited until the battle was over and then
gathered your wounded soldiers.


*That the cavalry from both sides wore green.
How did you know which one was your enemy?
The one that was attacking you.

*This super nice reenactor showed Brandon
and Whitney how his musket works.
This was B's favorite part.

*The soldiers lived in tent cities like this.

They slept on hay and must have been much shorter
because I think Brandon would barely fit in there.

This nice woman taught Whitney all about the life 
of a six-year-old girl in the 18th century.
Basically, she would be a little adult, helping me out
with all of my duties:  cooking, cleaning, taking care of the baby.
She will never complain about unloading the dishwasher again.

One of their favorite parts was getting to play with
old-fashioned toys.  Especially Jacob's ladder.
I know what they're getting for next Christmas!

6 comments:

  1. How fun! Wyatt would have been enthralled over all those rifles. And I'm jealous that you get to do things that take place outside. Those Jacob's Ladder toys are cool, I agree!

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  2. I think when Finley gets a little older he will love this!

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  3. i had a jacob's ladder as a kid and LOVED IT!! i totally forgot about it until i saw that picture of your kids.

    and i agree that we 21st century people are GIANTS. michael would have NEVER fit into the beds at the biltmore house.

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  4. MOM NOT ANONYMOUS: I will never forget visiting that park when we were with you in North Carolina few years ago. It's one of the coolest experiences I've ever had. We got out of the car and started down the pathway and both dad were overwhelmed with a feeling that we were walking on sacred ground. It was so unexpected. How cool to go to the re-enactment. I'll bet the kids will never forget it!
    XO
    Mom

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  5. That sounds very cool and educational. Why did they both wear green?

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  6. I'm so glad you guys went. Looks like you had a great time. I'm inspired to work a little harder to get there next year. Ü

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