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November 22nd, 23rd, and 24th |  |
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| America`s Hometown “Portal to the Past” Historic Village | View Photos |
Experience History first hand!
We invite you to step through the Portal of the Past into America`s Hometown Historic Village.
Located adjacent to the America`s Hometown Parade route, within the historic and scenic Brewster Gardens, you are invited to explore four centuries of American History - free of charge!
Filled with authentic historically-accurate “camps” and scenarios, the Historic Village is brought to life through dedicated living historians and their careful portrayals of the people of each period. Bring your questions – the Historic Village interpreters will inform and entertain – and serve as your guides as you personally travel among the centuries.
Begin your journey in the 17th century with Native and 17th century Settlers, and learn to separate fact from fiction about the gathering of 1621 which some call “thanksgiving”, and others consider a dark day. Watch the 17th century Pikemen practice defense of their town. (How do they use those long poles??)
Travel along to the eighteenth century to hear from the local militia men about their complaints against the King and Parliament, and their plans to establish self-rule. (Beware the King’s troops!)
Along the way, expect to encounter some famous persons straight from the history books!
Continue along the paths to the 19th century Civil Way battalions and note how their drill has evolved in response to the first “industrial war.” Debate the legalities of the southern state’s “secession,” and learn about the important role of civilian women to support the northern armies. (Are those “pantaloons”?)
Wind your way through to the 20th century units – perhaps you remember seeing images of WWI or WWII troops – here is an opportunity to meet them in person. (Is that a parachute in the trees?)
America`s Hometown Historic Village offers many opportunities to truly time-travel. Visitors are invited to observe or participate in the many military, civilian, and children’s demonstrations scheduled throughout the day. Meet real historical figures, form up and drill, listen to period music, step into a dance, or try a game. Most importantly, learn about American history from the folks who were there!
| Living Historians | |
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Salem Trayned Band (Salem Zouaves) Drawing on substantial seventeenth–century source material, the Salem Trayned Band recreates the Salem militia company, organized in 1628/29, one of the first organized militia groups in North America. The Army National Guard considers its birth from the date of the first regimental-sized muster on Salem Common in the spring of 1637. The Salem Trayned Band has been drilling with half pikes since 2005, and full sized pikes since 2009. |
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New Plimmoth Gard New Plimoth Gard is a brand new group of local reenactors who bring to life the military arts of our local militia in 1640. Just formed this year, the New Plimoth Gard is building for the future; especially for the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower landing in 2020. |
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Gardners Regiment The Regiment was re-formed four years ago to represent the original Gardner's Regiment which was present at Lexington and Concord and provided cover for the retreat from the Battle of Bunker`s Hill. Members of the original Gardner`s Regiment came from what is now considered the Metro Boston area. A history of Thomas Gardner and the Regiment are available on our website. As such, it was said that Grardner's "was the last to leave the hill." From there Gardner's was stationed at Prospect Hill, in Somerville, and became a unit of Washington's army. |
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USS CONSTITUTION Marine Guard 1812 Primarily a ship board unit, the Marine Guard maintains a marine musket section per the 1794 American Military Drill Manual, an artillery section, and a music section presenting the original music assigned to United States ships of war. In addition, the entire unit musters for United States Naval Gun Drills on board USS Constitution under the direction of the United States Navy. |
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New England Brigade The New England Brigade is an umbrella group consisting of a number of individual units from throughout New England. We strive to maintain an authentic period presentation of the Union army during the Civil War to teach the present and honor the past. |
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59th Coast Artillery/MHS The 59th CA/MHS portrays a US Army Machine Gun Platoon in the Argonne forest, 1918, including period equipment such as a .30 cal. watercooled Browning machine gun on tripod with sandbagged emplacement, and forward artillery observation equipment and optics. Observe the realities of life in the trenches during the first mechanized war and the steep learning curve of a citizen army. |
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502 Parachute Infantry Regiment.
Formed as an experimental unit formed to test the doctrine and tactics of parachute assault, the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment of the famed 101st Airborne Division was one of the most decorated units of D-Day. |
| Artisans | |
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Colonial Village Blacksmith |
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Leatherworker |
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Milliner |
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Moneychanger and Printer |
