The Moment!

by Kathy Fisher, Festival Nomad Correspondent

The weekend brought extreme temperatures, and for those of us in cotton dresses and petticoats, it wasn’t as hot as I am sure the regimental men in the red woolen tunics were feeling. We were all expected to “act” the part during the weekend especially during the open hours of Nancy Island to the public. This is one aspect I was not familiar with for at the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site that I work at, we are more third person historical interpretation, versus this form of first person reenactment.
During the whole weekend, we witnessed the naval battles on the Notawassaga River, Wasaga Under Seige as the British and American reenactors held battle on the sandy dunes of Wasaga Beach, and regularly scheduled activities, of cannon demonstrations, musket drills, duels, and follower activities of candle making, and aboriginal drumming. With the extreme temperatures, the musket firing, the sights the sounds, we felt we had totally stepped back in time. The most memorable event – the “Seige” was the part of the weekend that brought the most interest and really made me and my “troop” from the north, really understand what it was like during the War. I think the combination of the smells and the haze of the smoke of the musket and cannon firing / black powder shooting, that also provided that “eerie” look and feel of the “moment”, so that I can truly say to others…..”come relive the moment!”
We left on Monday and headed back to Sault Ste. Marie feeling we had truly experienced, lived, and learned the War of 1812. We also knew the extent of what visitors touring the province in the next 3 years will experience. Now we just need to re-create that total experience so that we can provide to our visitors…..”the moment!”
I can’t wait……

Along for the Ride ...

by Kathy Fisher - Festival Nomad Correspondent

Kathy Fisher, Curator, Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site, reporting to you on my recent visit to Wasaga Under Siege, this July 2011, story continued ...

My son (Benn-age 12) was very excited and was seriously hoping that he would be able to part of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment with Dave Brunelle and his friends, to re-enact the War of 1812 and experience fully the sights, sounds, and adrenalin of being a British soldier in a battle.
Sarah (my daughter – age 10), I believe was more so along for the ride, and probably thinking what else can my mother drag me to, and isn’t this War over yet…..!

It was just Thursday night and we were just arriving and unloading, when we realized the extent of a full historical encampment. There were wedge tents everywhere along the perimeter of Nancy Island, and many other more full size reenactment tents that were for supplies, officers, families and followers, merchants and musician’s, and aboriginal encampments as well. Our eyes were wide and our excitement rose. This was it! Everywhere you looked there was rows of wedge tents, officers tents, and large gathering event tents. The site was set up for American reenactors and their followers at one end of the island, the Glengarry’s and the Royal Newfoundland and IMUC in the middle spreading to the other end of the island with the encampment for the Aboriginal involvement with their wigwams and tents.

Now unlike many attending as reenactors at this event, we were not camping on site in the wedge tents, but had made arrangements to rent a fully equipped cottage with all amenities (just down the road). However, upon seeing the encampment schedule of events, my son began his plea to at least camp one night in order to “experience” the full event. My typical mother’s response….”we will see”.

RECRUITING ...

by Kathy Fisher - Festival Nomad Correspondent

Kathy Fisher Curator, Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site, reporting to you on my recent visit to Wasaga Under Siege, this July 2011.
As curator at a site with a connection to the War of 1812, I have been caught up in the Bicentennial Wave of planning for the commemoration of the War for 2012 – 2014. So as a representative from the most northern Ontario region out of the 7 regions planning, I felt the need to visit Wasaga Under Siege this year in order to recruit, promote, and see first-hand an event that will be similar to our celebrations.
Since I work at a historical site, and re-enactment is part of my daily life at work, my children have also become accustomed to wearing the historical clothing and acting the part. So, of course I dragged them along with me, and two other co-workers, also part of our Algoma 1812 group. The purpose: promote, photograph, take notes, promote, copy, take notes, and “experience” the event…..you get the picture.
The trip was a beautiful drive in Algoma Country leaving Sault Ste. Marie at approximately 10:00 am. With GPS in tow, we set off for a rather experiential weekend. Did I mention, never follow a GPS when you gut is saying, I don’t think this is the way! A few dirt roads and back tracking, we finally made it to Nancy Island, Wasaga Beach at 6:30 pm.
All the way there, we talked about what was expected from us upon arrival. We would have to check in and register, receive our information package, and unpack our promotional equipment (which for reenactments – this means unloading wooden voyageur trunks, trade blankets, costumes, brochures, pamphlets, banners, and other items of interest). We needed to get to Nancy Island and do all of this between 6 & 9 pm, as the event would be starting and open to the public the next morning.
(To Be Continued)

The Best Hobby in the World

by Benjamin Fisher - Festival Nomad Correspondent

Day 2 continued ...Day 2 was almost all the same things, cannon and musket demonstrations, boiling hot sun under 2 layers of wool and an amazingly fun day. But I was told that I was to be a designated "dead guy" in the battle today. Colin, Andrew, Andrew #2, Rooster , George and Kevin were all doing either a dueling, musket or cannon demonstrations. Mid-day all the other guys were teaching me how to “die”! “heart wrenching screams!” “make it epic!” were things they taught me . Marching into battle I was hoping I would remember all the "dead person" instructions. Waiting for the battle to start was the hardest part! BANG we shoot to start the first volley. BOOM the Americans shoot, and down I go. Before I hit the ground I heard Colin say “well that definitely didn’t take long”. There I was "dead". A foot away from poison ivy. While I was waiting on the ground “dead”, the American troops marched over and stopped right beside my "dead body". The American Sergeant leant over and said “don’t move!”
Also before the battle Rooster, told me to not get his musket in the dirt. So of course I held it tight and made sure I did not get one grain of sand in or on that musket! When the battle ended another re-enactor came and told me it was finished and that I could get up now. So doesn’t he just accidentally put the barrel of the gun in the sand! Luckily Rooster didn’t mind because he witnessed the whole thing!

Day:3
The third and final day had all the normal things: cannon, musket, dueling and surgeon demonstrations took place at Wasaga Under Siege. The final battle just allowed me to conclude the awesome event. After the battle I said good bye to all the re-enactors with gratitude, for their gift to me was allowing me to “re-live” the moment, and truly know what it is like to reenact the War of 1812.
Sad to leave, the next morning we headed back to the small historic town of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
The End
P.S.: please do not attempt to "die" like soldier in 1812 unless you have professional teaching from re-enactors at Wasaga Under Siege!
Benn Fisher