Replica ship headed to St. Augustine

From Bradetonton.com: Replica ship headed to St. Augustine

ST. AUGUSTINE -- In a boat yard in Malaga, Spain, workers are piecing together wooden ribs and other brigantine parts to produce a replica of the Galveztown, a sailing vessel that was important a couple centuries back to St. Augustine and the American Revolution.

“They are well on the way to getting that started,” said Kathy Fleming, executive director of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum.

The Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program is a sponsor of the project.

“We’re looking for a little bit of support to get that rolling,” she said.

But the project has been revised.

Several months ago, the naval architect working on the Galveztown found historical documentation that changed the plan, said Samuel Turner, director of archaeology at the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program.

The vessel that workers had been building was too large, Turner said.

The replica was designed to be 68 feet on deck, but the real brig was actually 53 feet on deck.

Turner said starting over was a “blessing in disguise” because it brought down the building time and the cost of the project.

The exact cost is still undetermined.

Officials held a conference to restart the project about a week ago.

After completion, the replica Galveztown should be sailing to St. Augustine next year, but official dates have not been firmed up yet, Fleming said.

The Galveztown replica will help people learn about Bernardo de Gálvez, Spanish governor of Louisiana. He played a critical role in the American Revolution by, among other things, capturing Pensacola in 1781.

The Galveztown was originally christened as the West Florida after being built by the British in New England, according to historical articles.

Bernardo de Gálvez later gained possession of the ship, changed its name to Galveztown and converted it from a sloop to a square-rigged brig.

“We’re trying to high- light this project as a way to share how the Spanish positively influenced the American Revolution,” Fleming said.

Turner, primary coordinator of the project, helped arrange for the Lighthouse program to donate many tons of timber to the project.

Around 17 tons of live oaks came from St. Augustine.

“We’re going see part of our town come sailing up one day,” Turner said.

Ceremony remembers Battle of Oriskany

From the Utica Observer Dispatch: Ceremony remembers Battle of Oriskany
ORISKANY — The echoes of gunfire again punctuated the fields in Oriskany on the Aug. 6 anniversary of what many historians refer to as the bloodiest battle of the American Revolution.

Representatives from more than a dozen organizations and families with ties to the Battle of Oriskany met Saturday in a steady drizzle to commemorate the event that lead to the eventual retreat of Britain’s troops from the Fort Stanwix area. Those groups laid 13 wreaths and an offering inside the monument’s gates Saturday evening.

For George Gydesen, the battle remains deeply personal — members of his mother’s and father’s sides of the family participated in the 1777 event.

“We’re here really to honor the more than 800 men that participated – and some of which sacrificed their lives — for their independence,” said Gydesen, who is president of the Oriskany Battlefield Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

The National Park Service conducts a ceremony each year to remember the battle between American militia forces en route to aid troops being attacked at Fort Stanwix and the British troops that ambushed the approaching convoy.

“There are groups that regularly mark this on their calendar to attend because they have descendants that fought in the battle in 1777, so it’s very important to them,” said Debbie Conway, superintendent of the Fort Stanwix National Monument.

Robert Gang, of Syracuse, stood near the monument in a linen garment that would have been worn by privates in the First Virginia Regiment..

“I’ve been to the battlefield before, although this is the first time I’ve been to this event,” he said. “It’s something I enjoy and it helps me to tell the story of the war.”

New Jersey: Newtown Battlefield A National Park?

18 WETM: Newtown Battlefield A National Park?

Washington, DC –U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced legislation to begin the process of making the Newtown Battlefield National Historic Landmark a National Park. As the site of a critical victory for the Continental Army during the American Revolution, the Newtown Battlefield is an important historic and cultural landmark for the people of Chemung County and New York State.

“Making Newtown Battlefield a National Park is an integral part of Chemung County’s economic development, bringing jobs and businesses to the region,” Senator Gillibrand said. “New York is known for her history, and this designation would attract more tourism for the area and strengthen our commitment to preserving our landmarks.”

“We believe that this important piece of American History deserves protection and that as part of the National Parks System it would also serve as a catalyst to increase tourism in the region,” said Bruce Whitmarsh, Director of the The Chemung County Historical Society.

The Newtown Battlefield National Historic Landmark, spanning across the towns of Elmira, Chemung, and Ashland, is the site of The Battle of Newtown, which was the most significant military engagement of the Sullivan Campaign of 1779 and a major victory for the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

In 1972, the Federal Government recognized the Newtown Battlefield as a significant historic resource by naming the site a National Historic Landmark. In 2007, the National Park Service confirmed the site’s historic importance through their Report on the Historic Preservation of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Sites, in which they categorized Newtown Battlefield as a Class A site, finding, also, that the battlefield is largely unprotected by either public historic preservation agencies or nonprofit organizations.

This legislation would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to evaluate the significance of the Newtown Battlefield and the impact of making it a National Park. This study, an important first step in the process of making Newtown Battlefield a National Park, will also examine the logistics of operating the site, and its potential impact on the general public.

Making the Newtown Battlefield a National Park has the potential to bring significant federal resources to Chemung County and the surrounding area, stimulating economic development, preserving the historic battlefield and increasing tourism in the region.

From Wikipedia

Newtown Battlefield State Park, formerly known as Newtown Battlefield Reservation, was the site of the Battle of Newtown fought in August 1779, during the American Revolutionary War. It was the only major battle of the Sullivan Expedition, an armed offensive led by General John Sullivan that was ordered by the Continental Congress to end the threat of the Iroquois who had sided with the British in the American Revolutionary War. In the battle, the Iroquois were defeated decisively.

The battlefield is at the foot of a hill in Elmira, in Chemung County, New York. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965.

On January 19, 2010, New York State Governor David Paterson proposed closing the park to reduce the state's growing budget deficit.

August 6: Ft. Stanwix commemorates 234th anniversary of siege

Central NY: Ft. Stanwix commemorates 234th anniversary of siege
ROME, N.Y. -- The nearly month-long siege of Fort Stanwix played a critical role in the American Revolution and Wednesday, residents got to learn more about its significance.

Activities were held at the fort's national monument in Rome to commemorate the day in 1777 when soldiers raised their own flag to show their independence to British troops. The attack lasted for 21 days and was meant to drive a wedge between the northern and southern colonies.

"Instead, because of the fort standing fast, forcing the British to finally retreat, the Americans were then able to win the victories of Saratoga in the fall of 1777, which brought about the turning point in the American Revolution," said William Sawyer, a park ranger at Ft. Stanwix.

A ceremony will also be held at the Oriskany Battlefield on August 6th to remember what some call the bloodiest battle of the revolution.

New DAR chapter gets off the ground

From the Chinoook Obsersver: New DAR chapter gets off the ground

PACIFIC COUNTY — For many, tracing down their family’s roots farther back than two or three generations is a daunting challenge. But, if you manage to connect your ancestral line directly to a patriot of the American Revolutionary War, you could be eligible to join the new Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter that is just getting started here on the Peninsula.

According to vice regent of the new local chapter, Mary Ellen Langridge, the group’s mission “is similar to maintaining the monuments and memories that represent WWII and the Vietnam War and to keep the memory of those guys and what they did for us. But we go back to the beginning of our roots, to help us remember where we came from.”

The National Society of DAR was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. They currently have 168,000 members in 3,000 chapters across the U.S. and internationally. Any woman, 18 or older, who can prove a direct lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join. The term patriot is not limited to just soldiers, but includes anyone who helped with the American cause for independence.

“DAR works to keep the traditions of remembering what people did for us, working towards saving important parts of our history and educating the people about our past,” Langridge says. “It’s a very patriotic organization honoring the people that have formed the roots of this country.”

While always interested in family genealogy, Langridge first got involved with DAR after discovering her personal connection with the American Revolution back in Virginia. Her great-great-great-grandfather John Shook, on her maternal side, served in the American army in the war. Ironically, at the same point in time, her father’s ancestors were on the other side of history. Living in the colonies and loyal to the Queen, they were put under house arrest. Langridge even has a letter sent to George Washington asking for their release. They eventually escaped and fled to Canada.

After being involved with a DAR chapter in Astoria, Langridge and others noticed there were a number of women from the Peninsula in the group and decided to start their own chapter over here. The group plans on doing work relevant to local history while also helping others find their connection to the birth of America. “A lot of it is just educating people about our history and how we came about,” says Langridge. They plan on honoring veterans and local history by maintaining gravestones and placing flags, educating people on how to properly care for and display the flag, and creating small exhibits such as one that explains the importance of the constitution. Langridge says, “The object basically is to perpetuate the memory and spirit of men and women who achieved American independence.”

The chapter is just getting started and had about 18 members at their last meeting, where they elected officers and got people started with applications. People who believe they have a connection to a patriot of the revolution can get help from the group organizing application materials for the national society.

As Langridge puts it, tracking your family’s roots is “just like a puzzle and you keep working your way back,” one piece of information at a time. “If people enjoy history and want to help perpetuate our beginning roots this is the place that you should be,” she says.

Colonial Williamsburg spy game mixes 21st- and 18th-century technology

From the Daily Press: Colonial Williamsburg spy game mixes 21st- and 18th-century technology
WILLIAMSBURG — The American Revolution is threatened by a sinister plot that could destroy the fledgling republic.

Before it's too late, fearless patriots are desperately needed to unravel the British conspiracy by discovering the identity of the founding father targeted for assassination along with the location and method of the attack.

So far, about 2,000 have heeded the call since Colonial Williamsburg introduced "RevQuest: Sign of the Rhinoceros," on July 15. The experience immerses visitors in an interactive spy game that plays out among costumed interpreters and historic buildings. The name references a house with a sign depicting the horned beast that is adjacent to the game's secret gathering place.

"This is the first time we've tried to blend some technology into the program in the historic area," said Jim Bradley, a Colonial Williamsburg Foundation spokesman. "Modern technology and 18th century stuff normally don't mix."

RevQuest is free with paid Colonial Williamsburg admission. However, a cellular phone with texting capability is required to submit answers and receive clues. Players receive a set of orders that describes the mission, a "Continental Army Cipherbook" to assist in unlocking secret messages, and several bills of "Virginia currency" in case a bribe is needed along the way.

According to Bradley, 562 groups — with an average size of three to four people — have played at least part of the game in the first 11 days since its launch. During that time, Colonial Williamsburg has received 6,500 incoming texts which means about 13,000 messages have been transmitted in all, he said.

RevQuest is a lot like a scavenger hunt that takes participants through three sections of town: the Capitol neighborhood, midtown and Palace Green. The game — which is based on a true event — takes between 90 minutes and two hours to complete if played straight through.

"Questors" who thwart the "foul plot" are rewarded with gold tokens from an interpreter who explains the true history of the event. Successful participants are also given access to a secret website that "only our most trusted patriots can locate."

Bill Weldon, Colonial Williamsburg's director of public history, said the game's message is "citizenship requires action. If you have a self-governing society, people have to be involved." Additionally, RevQuest teaches about the class strictures of the time and how "society was defined by slavery to a large degree," he said.

On a muggy morning this week, several families — including the Barkauskas clan from Mountain Lakes, N.J. — gathered outside the Prentis Store on Duke of Gloucester Street to await the arrival of "Agent 368."

RevQuest players wear blue scarves that identify them to interpreters who may help or hinder the cause depending on their character's allegiance.

"Agents all have their own approaches to how they introduce the game," Bradley pointed out. "Each does it in their own singular way, which is cool."

Agent 368 arrived stealthily so as to not attract unwanted attention and explained in low tones that players should disperse and meet him behind some nearby buildings where it was safer to talk. There, the agent provided tips and "rules of civility" to assist players and quickly sent them on their way with a caution not approach him on the street for fear of discovery.

Rich and Joanne Barkauskas and their children Richard, 14; Matthew, 11; Thomas, 8; and Emma, 5 were in town for a week and heard the game compared "to a 'National Treasure' type of thing." The family bustled eagerly through the colonial streets in the summer heat as they tried to piece together the mystery — no small feat.

"We're struggling big time," Rich remarked at one point, as he wiped sweat from his forehead. "The revolution is in trouble."

But despite the bumpy start, the Barkauskas family gained momentum even as they stopped for drinks and a quick restroom break. Fatigue was not an option — the very life of the revolution hung in the balance.

"I know you're tired, but liberty is at stake," Joanne Barkauskas, implored as the younger children waned before getting a drink-fueled second wind.

In the end, the family's joint effort solved the mystery in about two hours' time.

"Everyone got to participate. Everyone contributed some clue to solve who was in peril," Rich said. "That was fun."

Joanne, a high school guidance counselor, described RevQuest as "very clever" and said it was a great option for exploring Colonial Williamsburg in a way that continuously engaged the children.

But perhaps, the experience was summed up best by 14-year-old Richard who gave it a thumbs up.

"They found a way to teach us without us knowing."

Want to play?

Agents introduce the game daily to new players on the hour and half-hour between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The game requires pre-registration and can be played through Aug. 31. For more information, or to register to play 'RevQuest: Sign of the Rhinoceros,' go to history.org Web site by clicking here.

Re-enactors fight for independence

From Chillicothe Gazette: Re-enactors fight for independence

CHILLICOTHE -- This past weekend, the 205-year-old Adena Mansion & Gardens played host to historical events predating even its own.

Reenactors with the Brigade of the American Revolution's Northwest Department were at Adena Saturday and Sunday to wage battle in a war that began when the estate's eventual owner, Thomas Worthington, was still a toddler.

For a group that has grown accustomed to fighting in non-descript fields with little historical significance, the opportunity at Adena was difficult to pass up.

"This is really an ideal place to have something like this," said Greg Jewett, of Findlay. "We get to camp on land Thomas Worthington walked on, and that adds to it."

Jewett and his son, Philip, a high school junior, are members of the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment and relatively new members at that. The event at Adena was only their second encampment since joining the unit.

"It's a nice way to actually live out history -- to sleep in a tent and smell the black powder," he said.

Jewett learned through genealogical research he and his son are descendants of a man who fought in the revolution with the Berkshire County, Mass., militia.

"That makes it more special," he said.

The Jewetts' application with Sons of the American Revolution, a group that requires proof of lineage, is pending.

With a certain nonchalance, Jewett explained Sunday how a militia had just raided a British camp.

It was a "little skirmish," he said. "... to make a little noise."

Reenactors decide in advance how the battles will unfold and who will win, said Joe Forte, of Circleville, who has participated in living history events for 35 years and in Revolutionary War reenactments for the past 13 years.

There's a certain amount of preplanning that goes into reenactments, because safety is the first priority. That's not to say, however, there isn't some gamesmanship, Forte said.

"We're doing it for fun, but also education," he said.

In 2010, Forte recommended Adena as a possible venue for an encampment and since February has been helping to plan the event.

Unlike some sites, Adena has terrain that would not be out of place on a Revolutionary War battlefield, he said.

"This scenario is one that could be real," he said.

On Sunday, the colonial regiments regained control of the bridges on the property, although they were expected to suffer more casualties than their counterparts -- British troops and colonial fighters still loyal to the crown.

"The folks here at Adena have been very good hosts, and the audiences have been great, too," said Bob Carnes, a Canton resident and commander of the Northwest department.

While the reenactors were in town, some of them took in a performance of "Tecumseh!", and others dined at the Old Canal Smokehouse -- all of them still in uniform.

The weekend featured educational talks, fife and drum demonstrations, weapons demonstrations and staged battles.

Forte said he was happy to see the event draw people to Adena.

"It gets people up here and puts a few bucks in (Adena's) coffers. That's great," he said.