INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the web page for the living history event at Fort Monroe, Virginia, September 11-13, 2009. This page is designed to give participants the information on this unique weekend and the activities that will be taking place.

This living history weekend has been organized by Company D, 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Potomac Legion. It is made possible with the assistance of Mr. Paul Morando, Director of the Casemate Museum (the Fort’s museum), and Mr. Willie Goodman, Directorate of Plans and Operations. Thanks go to garrison commander Colonel Anthony D. Reyes for granting permission for this event to take place.

FORT MONROE PAST AND PRESENT

Founded in 1819, Fort Monroe is one of the oldest continually garrisoned military post in the United States. For much of its history it has been home to heavy and cost artillery units. Many notable military leaders saw service at the Fort, including Robert E. Lee. The Fort also visited by the Marquis De Lafayette in 1825, and President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. Today it is home of the US Army Traditions and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).

In 2007 the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) announced that Fort Monroe would be closed in 2011 and its functions moved to nearby Fort Eustis. Until that day comes, the Fort will continue to play active and vital part in our national defense.

PARTICIPATION

Participation in this program is limited to 50 pre-registered individuals. No walk-on participation will be allowed. Only high caliber impressions are sought. All impressions are subject to approval of the event organizers, who reserve the right to ask any participant to alter or remove items of uniforms or equipment.

HOURS OF OPERATION

The event will open for setup at 15:00 on Friday, September 11, 2009. Operations will run through 17:00 on Sunday, September 13, 2009. Participants are expected to be in uniform/period clothing from 10:00 on Saturday to 15:00 on Sunday. Take down and departure will take place between 15:00 and 17:00 Sunday.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Fort Monroe is an active military base. Base operations and security procedures govern everything that takes place on post. This includes any living history activities. Please read over the event rules and regulations, as some of this will be different than what is normally seen at events. All participants are expected to comply with the event rules and regulations as a condition of acceptance in the program.

STANDARDS & CONDUCT

This program will be visited by active duty military personnel stationed at the Fort as well as the visiting public from the local community. The clothing & equipment standards for this event are designed to give both audiences an accurate impression of military life in the 1860’s. The organizers ask that all participants work within the spirit of these standards. In addition all participants are asked to observe proper period military courtesy and decorum during the program, conducting themselves as soldiers of the US Army in 1864.

THE SECNARIO

This program will represent typical daily life at Fort Monroe in the late summer of 1864. All participants in this program will portray members of Company A, 3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery and associated civilians. Follow the link to a history of the 3rd PA, as well as information on life at the fort in 1864. Participants are expected to adapt themselves to this impression. All aspects of material culture relating to the impression will be covered under the uniform and equipment guidelines.

RANK AND RESPONSIBILITY

Rank and it associated responsibilities will be assigned by the event organizers. These roles will be given to people with a demonstrated experience in the ranks they will be holding. Efforts will be made to ensure that rank is divided among those groups with a large number of members participating. All rank insignia will be provided by the event organizers.

RATIONS

All participants will be assed a fee to be used for period rations. All meals will be prepared in a company mess using period utensils. Meals provided will be lunch and supper Saturday, breakfast and lunch Sunday. Some participants will be assigned both days to help the cooks prepared food as well as clean up utensils.

QUESTIONS

Questions about this event can be addressed to James Owens at jdo(a)npmhu.org, or (301) 681-7462 between 8:00- 10:00 PM weekdays.

EVENT RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. All participants must be registered for the event using the registration form provided on the website. No walk on registration is permitted.
2. Participants are expected to support the program for its entire duration.
3. Each participant must have a valid form of state ID on their person at all times.
4. All participant vehicles entering Fort Monroe must have a valid registration.
5. Tents will be erected in designated areas only
6. Campfires will be limited and only established in designated areas
7. All participants will be fed through a company mess. Individual cooking is prohibited.
8. Inappropriate use of alcohol and public intoxication will result in removal from the program.
9. Fort Monroe has a zero tolerance policy for illegal drug use. Anyone violating this policy will be removed from the program.
10. All participants are expected to observe period military courtesy, decorum, and dress standards during the event.
11. Participants are expected to interact in a polite and friendly manner with visitors and post staff.

Event Schedule
Uniform and Equipment Standards
Participant Registration Form
Quarter Master General Order #60 re: Common Tents.

Images | 1st Minnesota

Fort Monroe via MapQuest. | Site Map (pdf)