Skip to main content

Renfrew Park to exhibit Civil War encampment


WAYNESBORO >> For its 35th year, Civil War soldiers' encampments will be set up this weekend at Renfrew Museum and Park, 1010 E. Main St.

Some 20 regiments of both Confederate and Union soldiers will set up camps Aug. 7 in the park for activities through Aug. 9. Events for public viewing will begin at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 8, with a dress parade in the field behind the museum house.

This demonstration will be an inspection of troops by their commanding officers, and the tone for the day is set. Following the dress parade, at 9 a.m. both Union and Confederate camps will be open for public interaction.

During the course of the morning, there will be a tactical -- unscripted battles taking place along different parts of the park.

"Rather than doing a set battle on Saturday like we have in the past, we decided to change the pace a little," said Justin Dorsey, coordinator for the encampment. "The tactical is a great time for re-enactors to come out and just have a good time and play soldier."

At 2 p.m. Saturday, there will be a firing by 9-point competition between re-enactors. This event demonstrates the exact way rifles were used, and how battalions were set up during the Civil War. Participants will compete for top three prizes; it is free for those who want to watch.

A period correct baseball game will begin at 3:30 in the field behind the museum house. At the conclusion of the game, camps will remain open for visitors.

Events will begin Sunday at 9:30 a.m. with another dress parade, followed by a period correct church service on the lawn behind the museum house.

The battle for viewing at 1 p.m. will be chosen by the re-enactors over the weekend.

"The battle will depend on how the groups are feeling," said Dorsey. "They will go with the flow of the weekend and choose a battle based on that."

Food and drinks will be sold by a vendor. There will also be a period accurate sutler -- a traveling general store that would follow the armies and supply them with basic needs and day to day items while they were not on the battlefield.

Farm tour: Aug. 8 is also the Royer Farmstead Tour, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Multiple artisans will demonstrate their crafts, and guides in period clothing will interpret the different sites and buildings around Renfrew's property.

The tour begins at the Visitor's Center. Admission fee is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for ages 7-18, and free for children 6 and younger.

For more information, please visit www.renfrewmuseum.org or call the office at 717-762-4723.