Reenactors Raise Funds for Old Bedford Village
By Joseph Bordonaro · Originally published February 2020 · p. 37
Sixty Civil War-era reenactors brought Old Bedford Village, in south-central Pennsylvania, to life on the weekend of August 30-Sept. 1, 2019, in an effort to raise money for the living history museum. Old Bedford Village was created in 1974 to create job opportunities in an area, suffering from unemployment of up to 20% at the time. It was hoped that the museum would highlight, and preserve, Bedford’s rich history by bringing together many historic structures built during the 1700–1899 time period. The first such structure moved onto the site (a largely-abandoned farming area once occupied by a Monongahela village) was the 1844 Claycomb Covered Bridge. The old bridge now serves as the main entrance to the village, and helps visitors get into the time period immediately upon arrival. Today, Old Bedford Village is home “to over 40 authentic and reproduction buildings, including a church, tavern, jail, blacksmith shop, gun shop, general store, post office, bakery, and log houses. These buildings house exhibits and artisans who demonstrate crafts such as spinning, blacksmithing, candle making, tinsmithing, tole painting, and broom making” (Source: http:// memory.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/ loc.afc.afc-legacies.200002937/). Financing issues face Old Bedford Village with increasing urgency, as is the case with most historic sites throughout the country. The museum runs entirely on admission fees and receives no government support. An additional financial burden was caused by a fire that destroyed the Gardner Memorial Theater in 2018. The theater had been the home of the Bedford County Players; their performances had been a source of funds for the museum. The museum hosts several reenactments each year, including a Civil War reenactment and a Wild West weekend event. However, the museum still struggles to make ends meet. Learning of this, several reenactors stepped forward to create an event with the express purpose of raising funds for the village. This was the impetus that led to the increasingly successful Labor Day weekend Civil War-era event in Old Bedford Village each year. All the staff who helped out with logistics and organization was unpaid volunteers. There were 60 participants, all of whom paid a registration fee to cover the cost of running the event, with the excess funds donated to the museum. Spectator attendance this year was 350, compared with an average attendance of about 150 on previous Labor Day weekends that did not feature this event. In addition to peopling the village, reenactors included two groups of musicians who brought the sounds of the 1860s to the village. The Camp Chase Fife & Drum Corps, led by Brian Steffey, marched through the village periodically, charming the visitors and participants alike, as well as providing the “soundtrack” for the military contingent on site. The 73rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Band, led by John Connors, presented an authentic marching brass band experience to the visiting public. All-in-all, the weekend was a resounding success, according to organizer Janet Smith, and plans are already underway for next year’s event. Information about next year’s event can be found at: johnzaharias.com, or by emailing: [email protected]. Joe Bordonaro is a USAF veteran (1973–1977), Glassboro State College graduate (1980), Catholic school teacher (St. Joseph’s ProCathedral, 1983–1988), and retired public school teacher (Mullica Township School, 1988–2009). He has been involved with Civil War reenacting/living history since 1999. Joe began submitting articles to the Civil War News in 2005 and has been covering events for the News on a regular basis since 2016. Joe lives in Mount Laurel, NJ, and has been married to his wife Karen for 31 years. If you wish to contact Joe, you may send an email to [email protected]. Union soldiers marching through town. Janet Smith giving out comfort packages to soldiers, helped by Jackie Greer, of Jessup, Md.
Patrick Dunigan, of Fairfield, Penn., canes a chair.
Alex Groff, of Oaklyn, N.J., reads a speech at a war meeting presided over by James Owens.
Katie Carroll, with The Civilians of Gettysburg, pins a piece of fancy work.
