In September of 1980 the Brigade conducted an 18th Century Weekend at Eastfield Village in up-state New York. This event became somewhat legendary and in 2005 a second 18th century weekend was held at Eastfield.

This year, being the 30th anniversary of the 1980 event, the Brigade will again hold an “immersion” weekend at Eastfield Village. The only difference being that this event will be held over 3 days, September 4th, 5th & 6th.

But first, some background: Eastfield Village is home to its creator, Donald Carpentier. He moved the first building, a blacksmith’s shop, into his father’s “east field” in 1971.

In the years since, Don has amassed a collection of buildings and artifacts, as well as establishing his internationally known Workshops in traditional trades & domestic arts. The stated period of the village is 1787 through 1840 & and all the buildings date from those years. They include a church, two taverns, three dwelling houses & a number of smaller buildings devoted to the individual trades.

Don (aka “the Squire”) has once again graciously offered to open the village to the Brigade. In addition, the Historic Eastfield Foundation which owns 42 acres surrounding the village has made these grounds available for our use.

The 18th Century Weekend is intended to be a learning experience for its participants,not just a fun event. In rural surroundings and drawing upon the resources of the village and its inhabitants, members attending this event will be able to immerse themselves in a laboratory of living history.

We will start at 10:00 a.m. Saturday with a formation and inspection of the troops. With the exception of modern medications (and car keys) you should not have any anachronistic items in your possession.

Tents and other equipage will be loaded onto wagons. The troops will fall in with knapsacks filled with everything you will need for the next forty hours and what you yourselves can carry: blanket, mess gear, any change of clothes, and, of course, arms and cartridge pouch filled with blanks. On the march you will draw rations for the day, so have an empty haversack.

You are welcome to arrive on Friday night &ndash we have permission to camp in a farmer’s field adjacent to our parking area. However, on Saturday morning after formation and inspection, the troops will divide according to their loyalties and set out on their missions which will eventually lead them to Eastfield. There are large tracts of woods and open farmland which will afford multiple and interesting opportunities for tactical engagements.

When the conflicts have concluded and all the troops have arrived at Eastfield, a truce will be called. We will then make camp, post guard and fall in for the many fatigue duties life in the field requires. As always NCOs will be the backbone of this endeavor.

There will be a pay call upon concluding the last formation. Then, after supper (which will be prepared by each mess from issued rations) those not on duty will have an opportunity to disperse their money at the Yellow Tavern. The officers and “better sorts”, on the other hand, will repair to the Briggs Tavern for more genteel forms of sustenance and entertainment. On Sunday morning regular military duties will resume, and after the first formation all will attend church for Divine Worship. Late in the morning the truce will break down and tactical exercises will resume for the rest of the day. Sunday evening will provide another opportunity to experience “night life” at East-field. On Monday morning after fatigue duties, the troops will again form and participate in “shooting at marks”. We will then break camp,and march back to our cars around 1:00 p.m., giving everyone an early start on their journey from the 18th century to the 21st.

As in 1980 & 2005, our current 18th Century Weekend at Eastfield will be open only to Brigade members in good standing who pre-register and pay a modest fee to cover the weekend’s expenses.

Due to site size, limited reservations will be on a first come-first served basis.

If you would like to participate, please send a check for $25.00 (non refundable) made out to the Brigade of the American Revolution,and the completed registration form, to Wm. McMillan, 3 Timber Lane, Glenmont, NY 12077 by July 31st.

Register for Eastfield 2010

After receipt of the above you will be sent directions to our start off point & parking area,as well as additional information. If you have any questions before then, please contact :

Bill McMillan (518-462-1264) judytb@aol.com