Event
Encampment Weekend at Salem Maritime National Historic Site
Fee:
Free.Location: LAT/LONG: 42.518671, -70.885332
Derby Wharf (160 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970)
Dates & Times
Date:
Time:
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Type of Event
Description
In June 1774, General Gage came to Salem with some friends. America would never be the same.
On June 15, 10am-4pm and June 16, noon-4pm, Salem Maritime National Historic Site will be
commemorating the 250th Anniversary of General Gage’s arrival and the relocation of the capitol to Salem with a weekend-long encampment of British Soldiers on Derby Wharf (160 Derby Street, Salem). Salem Maritime has invited some of New England’s finest living history practitioners to portray soldiers, officers, legislators, and the loyalist and patriot citizens of Salem.
Over the course of the weekend, you can meet people from all walks of life who have differing opinions about the closing of the port of Boston and the arrival of the soldiers in the town. Learn about how the soldiers lived in camp, and how you might start a career in the British Army. Watch the soldiers drill, hear military music, and smell the cooking fires. You might even meet General Gage himself and hear what he thinks about the upheaval in Massachusetts in 1774.
On Sunday morning at 9 am, Join General Gage and the loyal citizens of Salem at St. Peter’s Church (24 St. Peter Street, Salem) for an 18th century church service. The General will be occupying the same pew that he used when he was in Salem in 1774.
All events are free. No reservation is required.
Event Schedule:
Saturday, June 15
Ongoing demonstrations: traditional tradesmen and tradeswomen, cooking in the camp, placing ads in the newspaper, political debate at the tavern.
10:30 am - Join the Army (wooden musket drill), "Black Salem in the 18th Century" talk
11:00 am - General Gage's arrival and inspection of the troops
11:30 am - Firing demonstration
11:45 am - Join the Army (wooden musket drill), "Meet the grocers" talk
12:00 pm - "Newspaper printing in the 18th century" talk
12:30 pm - "Field guide to the Bristish soldier" tour, "Meet the shoeblack" talk
1:00 pm - "Meet General Gage" talk
1:15 pm - Field music demonstration
1:30 pm - Firing demonstration
2:00 pm - Join the Army (wooden musket drill), "Black Salem in the 18th Century" talk
2:15 pm - "Meet the tailors" talk
2:30 pm - British court martial, "Meet the midwife" talk
3:00 pm - "Meet the wigmaker" talk
3:15 pm - Field music demonstration
3:30 pm - Firing demonstration
Sunday, June 16
Ongoing demonstrations: traditional tradesmen and tradeswomen, cooking in the camp, placing ads in the newspaper, political debate at the tavern.
9:00 am - 18th century church service at St. Peter’s Church (24 St. Peter Street, Salem)
11:00 am - Field music demonstration, "Black Salem in the 18th Century" talk
11:30 am - Firing demonstration
11:45 am - Join the Army (wooden musket drill), "Meet the shoeblack" talk
12:30 pm - "Meet General Gage" talk, "Meet the schoolmistress" talk
1:00 pm - Firing demonstration
1:30 pm - Join the Army (wooden musket drill), "Meet the tavern keeper" talk
2:00 pm - "A Dangerous Tendency: Political Protest in Revolutionary Massachusetts" talk
2:30 pm - "Meet the tailors" talk
2:45 pm - Field music demonstration
3:00 pm - Firing demonstration, "Newspapers in colonial society" talk
3:30 pm - Join the Army (wooden musket drill)
Reservation or Registration: No
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