To the Editor:
Rain nor wind nor cold could deter the 12th U.S. Infantry Reenacting Unit (Syracuse) and the Civil War Heritage Foundation (Clifton Springs) from their purpose of educating the public about the history of the Civil War.
Volunteer reenactors began camping on the green in Peterboro Thursday night to be ready to provide a Living History Day for fifth-graders from Hamilton, Madison, Morrisville-Eaton and Stockbridge Central Schools Friday, June 10.
More reenactors joined the military encampment Friday night and, despite the difficult weather conditions, “soldiered” through the weekend to continue to provide an ongoing 19th century civilian and military learning experience for the 24th annual Peterboro Civil War Weekend in Peterboro.
Not only did the reenactors brave the weather elements! Historical organizations, Civil War Round Tables, authors, demonstrators, presenters, sutlers, and vendors set up their contributions in the rain to do their part in telling the history of the Civil War. Volunteers took their pledged places around the Hamlet of Peterboro wrapped against the cold in winter coats. Boy Scouts kept parking cars. The Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark kept displays on Smith and the Underground Railroad hosted. The National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum kept the doors open for the limited Smithsonian Changing America exhibit. The Peterboro Area Museum kept helping folks with their genealogy. The Smithfield Fire Department kept grilling chicken and the Peterboro United Methodist Church kept flipping pancakes.
And through the gates came loyal and new visitors braving the elements to support the cause and learn the lessons. They made it worth soggy effort!
Thanks to all of these efforts and the support of sponsors, the Smithfield Community Association will be able to keep contributing to Smithfield / Peterboro, and the Civil War Weekend Committee is already getting prepared for the 25th annual Peterboro Civil War Weekend June 10 and 11, 2017. See you there in the sunshine!
Many thanks to all, 24th annual Peterboro Civil War Weekend Committee, Peterboro