On Saturday, October 31, 2020, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, a special event will be hosted at the battlefield: Soldiers of Virginia.
Visit Cedar Mountain to learn about the experience of soldiers who served in Virginia, from the first settlement of Jamestown in 1607 up to World War II. During this unique living history event, more than a dozen accurately dressed individuals with appropriate equipment and arms will share stories that bring to life the time period they represent. There will also be firing demonstrations and an exciting “Mad Minute” in which all of the troops will fire as quickly as they can for sixty seconds.
The soldiers employed by the Virginia Company in 1607 arrived wearing colorful clothing, pieces of armor and carrying slow and heavy single shot weapons that required a burning piece of rope to fire them. By 1945 the American soldier was wearing colors that blended with his environment and carrying weapons that were relatively lightweight and could fire multiple shots in the space of a minute. Visitors can see the development of uniforms and weapons as technology and needs changed.
Event schedule:
10:00 am – Event opens to public. Visitors are able to meet and chat with soldiers throughout the day, in between the scheduled arms demonstrations.
11:00 am demonstration – Matchlock to Firelock, 1607-1846
1:00 pm demonstration – Caplock to Breechloader, 1846-1865
2:00 pm demonstration – Bolt Action on the World Stage, 1898-1918
3:00 pm demonstration – Firepower against the Axis, 1941-1945
4:15 pm demonstration – The Mad Minute: Rate of Fire through the Ages
The program is open to visitors of all ages. The program fee is $5/adult in support of Friends of Cedar Mountain educational programs. Children are free.
We do not recommend bringing pets, which may be disturbed by the weapons demonstrations.
Free parking will be available at the battlefield, located 5 miles south of Culpeper off of US Route 15.
Soldiers of Virginia is an open air event on the battlefield. In the event of inclement weather, the program will not be held and an update will be posted here and on the Cedar Mountain Battlefield Facebook page.
Please direct any questions to info@friendsofcedarmountain.org
Thank you for your interest!
