Become a reenactor! Gettysburg Heritage Center to hold Recruitment Day
GETTYSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Ever watch reenactment groups bring history to life, found yourself thinking “I’d like to do that!”, but weren’t sure how or where to start?
On Saturday, March 16, from 12-4 p.m., you can learn more at the Gettysburg Heritage Center’s “Reenactor Recruitment Day”.
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More than 20 different reenactment groups, covering eras from the Revolutionary War to World War II, will be on hand to provide you with an in-depth look at the world of historical reenacting.
Visitors have the chance to discover a historical period that really interests them, and possibly find a reenactment group to join. Even if you’re not interested in doing living history, there are still lots of neat things to look at, and cool stuff to learn.
Reenactors practice near their camps during the 160th reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg, at Daniel Lady Farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on June 30, 2023. The Battle of Gettysburg, which is considered to be the bloodiest battle ever fought on US soil, occurred from July 1-July 3, 1863 during the US Civil War. Approximately 10,000 Union and Confederate troops were left dead, and another 30,000 wounded. Each year, the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association holds a reenactment on the weekend closest to the original battle, hosting living history demonstrations and military reenactments to help teach people the history of the Civil War battle. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) Reenactors stand near a confederate flag during the 160th reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg, at Daniel Lady Farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on June 30, 2023. The Battle of Gettysburg, which is considered to be the bloodiest battle ever fought on US soil, occurred from July 1-July 3, 1863 during the US Civil War. Approximately 10,000 Union and Confederate troops were left dead, and another 30,000 wounded. Each year, the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association holds a reenactment on the weekend closest to the original battle, hosting living history demonstrations and military reenactments to help teach people the history of the Civil War battle. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) Reenactors do a demonstration on horseback during the 160th reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg, at Daniel Lady Farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on June 30, 2023. The Battle of Gettysburg, which is considered to be the bloodiest battle ever fought on US soil, occurred from July 1-July 3, 1863 during the US Civil War. Approximately 10,000 Union and Confederate troops were left dead, and another 30,000 wounded. Each year, the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association holds a reenactment on the weekend closest to the original battle, hosting living history demonstrations and military reenactments to help teach people the history of the Civil War battle. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) Reenactors practice near their camps during the 160th reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg, at Daniel Lady Farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on June 30, 2023. The Battle of Gettysburg, which is considered to be the bloodiest battle ever fought on US soil, occurred from July 1-July 3, 1863 during the US Civil War. Approximately 10,000 Union and Confederate troops were left dead, and another 30,000 wounded. Each year, the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association holds a reenactment on the weekend closest to the original battle, hosting living history demonstrations and military reenactments to help teach people the history of the Civil War battle. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) A reenactor waves a confederate flag on the battlefield during the 160th reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg, at Daniel Lady Farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on June 30, 2023. The Battle of Gettysburg, which is considered to be the bloodiest battle ever fought on US soil, occurred from July 1-July 3, 1863 during the US Civil War. Approximately 10,000 Union and Confederate troops were left dead, and another 30,000 wounded. Each year, the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association holds a reenactment on the weekend closest to the original battle, hosting living history demonstrations and military reenactments to help teach people the history of the Civil War battle. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) Spectators watch reenactors during the 160th reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg, at Daniel Lady Farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on June 30, 2023. The Battle of Gettysburg, which is considered to be the bloodiest battle ever fought on US soil, occurred from July 1-July 3, 1863 during the US Civil War. Approximately 10,000 Union and Confederate troops were left dead, and another 30,000 wounded. Each year, the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association holds a reenactment on the weekend closest to the original battle, hosting living history demonstrations and military reenactments to help teach people the history of the Civil War battle. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) Reenactors fire cannons during the 160th reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg, at Daniel Lady Farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on June 30, 2023. The Battle of Gettysburg, which is considered to be the bloodiest battle ever fought on US soil, occurred from July 1-July 3, 1863 during the US Civil War. Approximately 10,000 Union and Confederate troops were left dead, and another 30,000 wounded. Each year, the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association holds a reenactment on the weekend closest to the original battle, hosting living history demonstrations and military reenactments to help teach people the history of the Civil War battle. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Representatives from each group will be present to talk about their portrayals, member expectations, uniform and weapon requirements, and any additional details to help you make informed decisions about participating.
As part of the day’s events, the Gettysburg Heritage Center Museum will be free and open to the public. Local Gettysburg businesses will offer door prizes and giveaways, and The Huskey Hut Coffee Company will be on-site in the Heritage Center parking lot offering refreshments from 10 am to 2 pm.
The center’s website lists the following organizations taking part:
The National Regiment
Cooper’s Battery B First PA Light Artillery, Inc.
12th GA Co G/ 7th VA Cav Co A
Patriot Daughters Of Lancaster
First Rhode Island Light Artillery Battery B
Chesapeake Independent Blues
2nd United States Sharpshooters Co.
French 3rd Line Infantry
2rd Gebirgsjagers (WW2 German Mountain Troops)
11th PVI Co. G
14th Brooklyn Living History Association
17th Pennsylvania Cavalry Co. F
1st PRVC Field Music
Blue & Gray Hospital Association
Company F 3rd North Carolina Infantry
28th VA CO D
4th Texas Co B Infantry
2d Virginia Regiment
Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War
82nd Airborne, 508 PIR
Bureau of Military Information (BMI)
PACS Artillery
Federal Vol. Brigade
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War GBG Camp 112
The center is located at 297 Steinwehr Ave., Gettysburg, PA 17325. For more information about the event, you can visit the Gettysburg Heritage Center’s website.
If you have additional questions, email them at info@GettysburgMuseum.com or call 717-334-6245.
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