Military Encampment Weekend: The Most Fatal Widow-makers; Virginia Riflemen arrive in Williamsburg
May 3 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Colonial Williamsburg Military Encampment weekends seek to recreate important, impactful moments from the American Revolution with the help of reenactors from around the country.
Colonial Williamsburg will capture a pivotal moment in the history of Virginia’s and America’s revolution; the 250th anniversary of the riflemen of the 7th Virginia Regiment arriving in Williamsburg. These troops, largely raised beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains, would go on to fight in some of the most important battles of the Revolution, including Gwynn’s Island, Brandywine, Saratoga, Germantown, and Monmouth. Wielding “cursed, twisted guns”, these Virginians, culturally different from the citizens of Williamsburg, but united in a common cause, converged on the city, in hopes of forming a fighting force capable of standing in opposition to tyranny, and in defiance of kings. Download the program of events.
Special Programs include:
- The Weight of Liberty – (Market Square North, behind Courthouse) – 1 pm
- Rifle Demonstration: The “cursed, twisted guns” – (Market Square North, behind Courthouse) – 11 am
- Under Arms: The Business of Riflemen – (Powder Magazine Yard) – 2 pm
- Drumming Up a Soldier’s Dinner – (Military Encampment) – 2 pm
- In Defence of the just rights of America – (Powder Magazine Yard) – 4 pm
- Beat the Retreat – (Military Encampment) – 4:45 pm
