ROLLINSFORD—
Are you curious about New Hampshire’s important role in the American Revolution? Want to learn more? During the weekend of Aug. 28-29th, the Colonel Paul Wentworth House located at 47 Water Street in Rollinsford is hosting an encampment of the 1st New Hampshire Regiment, whose members will recreate the lives of Revolutionary War soldiers and their families with military drills and firing demonstrations, campfire cooking, and other authentic activities.
Only a few weeks after war broke out at Lexington and Concord, the 1st New Hampshire Regiment was organized in May 1775 from Rockingham and Hillsborough counties. Under the command of John Stark, its first battle was only a month later at Bunker Hill, one of the bloodiest engagements of the Revolution. During its service, the 1st NH Regiment also served under General Washington during the legendary “Crossing of the Delaware,” fought at the crucial battle of Saratoga in 1777, and survived the deadly winter at Valley Forge.
On Saturday, Aug. 28, the military camp opens to the public by 10 a.m., when visitors will see new recruits mustered into the regiment and local children will also have the opportunity to “enlist” and learn basic military maneuvers from the colonial period. After an authentic lunch, the 1st NH Regiment will conduct an artillery drill and fire their cannon beginning at 2 p.m. At 3 p.m., the regiment will recreate a military court-martial for one unlucky soldier! A sham battle, which was used to train new soldiers before they experienced the chaos of combat, will envelop the grounds of the Wentworth House at 4 p.m., and the military camp closes to the public at 5 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday morning at 9 a.m., a colonial “Church Call” will be held in camp and is open to the public. Recruiting, drill, and firing demonstrations will transport visitors back in time once again, at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. before the regiment strikes camp at 3 p.m.
Guided tours of the Wentworth House will also be offered to the public on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Originally built by Colonel Paul Wentworth at the dawn of the eighteenth century, the impressive structure was moved to Massachusetts during the 1930s and recently made a triumphant return to Rollinsford, where it stands only a short distance from its original site near the Salmon Falls River. Today, the Wentworth House remains one of the finest and historically significant colonial homes in New Hampshire and a local treasure not to be missed. This event is open to the public at no charge thanks to the Association of Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH), which facilitates entertaining and educational programs for all ages at the Wentworth House. For more information on this event and others in the near future, please visit our website www.paulwentworthhouse.org or call 603-742-4747. We look forward to seeing you there!
Photo caption: The 1st NH Regiment will be at an encampment at the Wentworth House in Rollinsford (Courtesy photo)
Are you curious about New Hampshire’s important role in the American Revolution? Want to learn more? During the weekend of Aug. 28-29th, the Colonel Paul Wentworth House located at 47 Water Street in Rollinsford is hosting an encampment of the 1st New Hampshire Regiment, whose members will recreate the lives of Revolutionary War soldiers and their families with military drills and firing demonstrations, campfire cooking, and other authentic activities.
Only a few weeks after war broke out at Lexington and Concord, the 1st New Hampshire Regiment was organized in May 1775 from Rockingham and Hillsborough counties. Under the command of John Stark, its first battle was only a month later at Bunker Hill, one of the bloodiest engagements of the Revolution. During its service, the 1st NH Regiment also served under General Washington during the legendary “Crossing of the Delaware,” fought at the crucial battle of Saratoga in 1777, and survived the deadly winter at Valley Forge.
On Saturday, Aug. 28, the military camp opens to the public by 10 a.m., when visitors will see new recruits mustered into the regiment and local children will also have the opportunity to “enlist” and learn basic military maneuvers from the colonial period. After an authentic lunch, the 1st NH Regiment will conduct an artillery drill and fire their cannon beginning at 2 p.m. At 3 p.m., the regiment will recreate a military court-martial for one unlucky soldier! A sham battle, which was used to train new soldiers before they experienced the chaos of combat, will envelop the grounds of the Wentworth House at 4 p.m., and the military camp closes to the public at 5 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday morning at 9 a.m., a colonial “Church Call” will be held in camp and is open to the public. Recruiting, drill, and firing demonstrations will transport visitors back in time once again, at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. before the regiment strikes camp at 3 p.m.
Guided tours of the Wentworth House will also be offered to the public on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Originally built by Colonel Paul Wentworth at the dawn of the eighteenth century, the impressive structure was moved to Massachusetts during the 1930s and recently made a triumphant return to Rollinsford, where it stands only a short distance from its original site near the Salmon Falls River. Today, the Wentworth House remains one of the finest and historically significant colonial homes in New Hampshire and a local treasure not to be missed. This event is open to the public at no charge thanks to the Association of Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH), which facilitates entertaining and educational programs for all ages at the Wentworth House. For more information on this event and others in the near future, please visit our website www.paulwentworthhouse.org or call 603-742-4747. We look forward to seeing you there!
Photo caption: The 1st NH Regiment will be at an encampment at the Wentworth House in Rollinsford (Courtesy photo)
