The Star Democrat
Posted: Friday, November 16
Re-enactors
Historical Society curator Beth Hansen and volunteer Judy Richards show off the 1812 dresses and bonnets they made.
As part of the statewide commemoration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812-1814, a re-enactor troupe is being organized. Members of the troupe will show up in costume at various War of 1812 Bicentennial events. They will act out short scenes, participate in demonstrations of crafts and work activities, and talk to the public about life during 1812. The troupe is a project of the Historical Society of Talbot County.
An introductory meeting with be held Tuesday Nov. 20 at 5:30 pm, at the Historical Society of Talbot County, located at 25 S. Washington St., Easton.
“We are looking for adults of all ages and children,” said Historical Society curator Beth Hansen. “This is not just about the military. We want to represent the whole population of our towns in 1812 through 1814.”
Knowledge of the era of 1812 is not required. Nor is a costume.
“We’ll help everyone get appropriately dressed,” Hansen said.
The first big event will be a formal ball of the era on Jan. 12. Music of the era will be provided, and dance mistresses will instruct everyone on how to dance like Francis Scott Key or Jane Austen.
Members of the troupe will be encouraged to express their own areas of interest. A wide variety of hobbies and crafts would have been practiced in the early 1800s. Some of these hobbies might include: Music, Cooking, Woodworking, Herb and Herb Lore, or Animal Care.
Young men are invited to join the Eastern Shore Militia, which will have uniforms and weapons. The militia is being organized by the Eastern Shore 1812 Consortium, which has just received funding from the State of Maryland’s Star Spangled 200 grant. They will often work in conjunction with the civilian re-enactor group. For more information, contact Beth Hansen at the Historical Society of Talbot County at 410-822-0773 or email curator@hstc.org.
