Living history reenactors from all over Ontario, Quebec and the United States will return to the Glengarry Pioneer Museum on September 29th to the 30th, where they will recreate life as it was in Upper and Lower Canada.
Living up to its name as the best kept secret of the region, the 9th edition of the Battle of Glengarry is the last big event of the 2018 season at Dunvegan’s Glengarry Pioneer Museum. All of the museum buildings will come alive as re-enactors portray various aspects of civilian, business and military life in this region during the War of 1812 time period.
Surrounding the buildings, tented encampments will be littered across the grounds offering behind-the-scenes glimpses of military, indigenous and civilian life. Check out the Blacksmith as he will be forging an anchor with the museum’s newest acquisition; a reproduction period forge. Tour the McCaw’s Privateers encampment and check out their new boat moored near the corn field. They will tell you tales of the naval trade on the St. Lawrence River through theatre and song, and a few lucky ones may be fit enough for the crew.
If shopping is on your list, bring lots of spending money as you stop by Sutler’s Row. Here, vendors will be offering an array of Historical reproductions and clothing, leather goods, cast-iron cookware, oven-fired breads, maple syrup, handmade gourmet chocolates and confection, fresh vegetables and fruit for sale. The Historic Star Inn Tavern will have two varieties of ale on tap by local craft brewery, Cassel Brewery and premium non-alcoholic cider from Sarah Cole Cider house. Other food and refreshments will be available onsite.
For the child in all of us, be sure to visit the one-room schoolhouse and meet the schoolmistress. Don uniforms and wooden muskets for the Military Muster just before the battle. Returning this year is the SwordPLAY presentation, where you can try your hand at sword-mastering in a unique, fun and safe way.
New this year, living-history guided tours will be taking place both Saturday and Sunday afternoon for an up-close glimpse of life as it was in 1812.
The highlight of the weekend will be the recreated Battles which will be staged at 3 pm on Saturday, September 29 and at 2 pm on Sunday, September 30. Reenactment organizers are asking that visitors park in assigned parking areas. Because of cannon-fire, they are also asking that no parking be permitted along County Road 30. The cost is $10/person or $25 for a family of 4, kids under 12 are free. The event happens rain or shine! There are more details on our Facebook page and our website: www.glengarrypioneermuseum.ca.
