We Had a Very Historical Day

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Today my daughter called me and wanted to know if I wanted to go with her and a friend to see the Battersea House in Petersburg, Virginia which is being restored. We arrived just in time to see the reenactment of the Revolutionary War, Battle of Petersburg. Cannons were booming and men were “falling down dead.” It was very realistic and in full costume. There were the British soldiers and the Virginia militia all out on the front lawn of the Battersea House. My daughter took several pictures that she is supposed to email to me. This reenactment is done every year for just one weekend and we could not have asked for a better day. There was plenty of beautiful sunshine and a cool breeze. Set up nearer the house were many other fascinating displays of authentic scenes, featuring a woman spinning wool thread on an old spinning wheel and telling and showing us how it was done. There were also things to buy, but I didn’t buy anything. I really wanted to buy a Jew’s Harp, (also called a Jaw Harp) an ancient musical instrument that I used to have, but lost track of it somewhere in time. There was a petting zoo for the kids. And here’s an excerpt from the pamphlet they gave us: “Jewelry, chair maker, wood carver, cabinet maker, period clothing, Ranger Reproductions, Wisteria Perry’s “Makin’ Sumptin’ Outta Nothin’” period cooking demonstrations, period interpreters including women’s roles and midwifery: Brunswick Castle Craftsman, Knightingales with Gibson Glassblowers.” There were also various 18th century children’s game demonstrations and participation, and many other things. We watched one woman, Signora Bella, the Great Italian Equilibrist walk on a “slack rope” rather than a “tight rope” demonstrating 18th century acrobatics. There were also British and American “camps” (several tents) where period guns, knives, and campfire utensils were on display and uniforms were worn by all the participants of the demonstrations and unit drills, training and artillery. Battersea House offers a self-guided tour of the house and grounds and on this ONE DAY of the year, there is no charge. My daughter also was allowed up on one of the horses that were used in the reenactment with her battle hat on. We did get some video of that. All in all, it was a very interesting day. I think that you can go online and find out more about this interesting house from the 18th century that is in the process of being restored, by the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution.) Yes, the web site works. You will see all about Battersea House in the photos. We took similar photos today. Picture by Pixabay