Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Instead of "just" the American Revolutionary War, wars periods before and after patriot Thaddeus Kosciuszko will be re-enacted during the 14th annual Back to the Days of Kosciuszko next weekend, Sept. 25 and 26.
"It's an attempt to show a little more of the background on early American independence," said organizer Jim Smelser. "All three of the first wars - the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 - are tied together.
"We hope to increase the number of re-enactors and the educational opportunities for adults as well as kids."
For the last couple of years the group has begun to develop a Red Brush village. Red Brush was the original settler's name for Warsaw. A large cabin was taken apart in Allen County and brought to the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds, where the event is held, a couple of years ago. It will be open to the public this year.
Farrier Matt Gillis will demonstrate early blacksmithing skills in a second permanent structure - the Lake City Forge.
Back to the Days organizers also have received a working windmill, too.
The west side of the fairgrounds is transformed into a kind of tent city during the event. Open camps are encouraged, meaning the public can stroll through the encampments and see how early settlers lived.
Activities are scheduled throughout the weekend, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. both days. Entertainment includes a Punch and Judy Show at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The singing group Father, Sons and Friends will perform at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday and at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Common Stock, a roving minstrel team, will stroll through the grounds regularly.
Many folks attend the event to see historically accurate clothing, crafts and military confrontations. The re-enactors carry the weaponry of the times and skirmishes are bound to erupt, especially at 10:30 a.m. on both days. Cannon demonstrations are set for 2 p.m. both days with battles at 3 p.m.
This year a school day crafts corner has been established, opening at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. A sheep-shearing demonstration also will be at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday and 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
A number of settlers offering wares, blanket traders, vendors and demonstrators are part of the event.
Back to the Days of Kosciuszko is a Northwest Treaty Alliance-sanctioned event.
On Friday more than 1,200 fourth grade students will attend Back to the Days School Day. Students will rotate through more than 50 demonstrations of colonial activities, including making musket balls, cannon firing demonstrations, military drills, sheep shearing, and learn about period games and clothing. There also will be entertainers telling early American jokes and an authentic Punch and Judy Puppet Show.
The French and Indian War - 1754 - 1763 - was the last of four north American wars waged from 1689 to 1763 between the British and the French. In these struggles, each country fought for control of the continent wit the assistance of native American and colonial allies. The French and Indiana War differed from previous confrontations, however. The earlier war consisted primarily of skirmishes between small regular units of the European powers aided by local militiamen. The French and Indiana War was part of a "great war for empire," a determined and eventually successful attempt by the British to attain a dominant position in North American, the West Indies and the subcontinent of India. Although the French //// nd Indian War began in America, it expanded into Europe as the Seven Years' War (17a56 - 1763), and at the same time into Asia as the Third Carnatic war. The French and Indian War not only stripped France of its North American empire, it also caused Britain to change its relationship to colonies, a change that eventually led to the American Revolution.
American Revolution - 1775-1783 - was a conflict between 13 British Colonies in North America and their parent country, Great Britain. It was made up of two related events: The American War of Independence (1775-1783) and the formation of the American government as laid out by the Constitution of the United States in 1787. First, the war achieved independence from Great Britain by the colonies. Second, the newly created United States of America established a republican form of government, in which power resided with the people.
The Revolution had many causes. Long-term social, economic and political changes in the colonies before 1750 provided the basis for an independent nation with representative political institutions. More immediately, the French and Indiana War changed th relationship between the colonies and the British. Finally, a decade of conflicts bwtween the British government and the colonists, beginning with the Stamp Act crisis in 1765, led to the outbreak of war in 1775 and the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
once independent, the new state government implemented republican constitutions and a Continental Congress directed the American war effort. Then in 1781, the rebellious states crated a loose union under the Articles of Confederation. At the end of the war in 1783, Britain recognized its former colonies as an independent nation. In 1789, the people of the several states ratified the Constitution that created a stronger central government.
War of 1812 - 1812-1815 - was a conflict between the United States and Britain, lasted until early 1815. President James Madison requested a declaration of war to protest British ships on the high seas and to stop the British from impressing or seizing U.S. sailors.
American ships were being stopped and searched by both Great Britain and France, who were fighting each other in Europe.
Madison also wanted to prevent Britain from forming alliances with Native Americans on the American frontier. His decision was influenced by Americans in the west and south who hoped to expand the United States by seizing control of both Canada and Florida. Critics called the War of 1812 "Mr. Madison's War," Others saw it as a "second war of independence," an opportunity for Americans to defend their freedom and honor in the face of European disrespect. neither Britain nor the United States was particularly well prepared to fight this war and the conflict eventually ended in a stalemate.
