It seems hard sometimes to believe that the Bicentennial was 50 years ago---a half century. No, it doesn't feel like it was "just yesterday" (time's gone by fast, but not quite that fast) --- but it definitely does not feel like it's been 50 years.
Well, here we are in 2026 and things are going like gangbusters in the reenacting world. Sadly, it was in 2023 that we had our last Colonial Kensington. A few of us were recently speaking of that wonderful event (click HERE) and how unhappy we all are that it has ended. However, a year later, in 2024, we have had the Taylor Colonial Days to sort of replace it. But it also helps that, at least for this year, we have America 250 happening - the Semiquincentennial - and interest in this founding generation time period is growing. To be honest, interest in our nation's founding has been rekindling for close to 20 years now, beginning with the John Adams HBO miniseries in 2008, then the TV series Turn: Washington's Spies in 2014, and the Hamilton play only a year after (2015). Various documentaries and docudramas have also helped - for me it was Legends & Lies: The Patriots from 2016 that blew me away, while others may prefer the Ken Burns set from 2025 - I didn't particularly care for that one, to be honest.
And so, in a way, nationally we have been commemorating the 250th anniversaries of historical events that lead up to independence for nearly two decades, and so have I right here in this Passion for the Past blog (click the links here):
And we don't want to forget my write ups on America's 200th birthday celebrations:
2022
2022
In fact, HERE's a link to a post I put together with a number of my Revolutionary blog postings.
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| Celebrate America!! |
My hat is off to the Lees (Doug, Dalton, and Sheila) and the 49th Regiment of Foot for being the hosts of the Taylor Colonial Days event at Heritage Park in Taylor (Michigan).
This is a very fine event indeed. Their first was back in 2024, and this year continues onward!
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| Celebrate history!! |
Let's dive into a gob of photos from this awesome event:
(Here is) "a photo of our combined company on Sunday afternoon, June 7th. We fielded with members of the 10th Virginia Regiment and the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment and had a lot of time to practice the 1764 Manual of Arms and marching.
On Sunday the British Royal Artillery fired cannister shot at us and wiped out five of our seven men."
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| A number of Continental soldiers for morning Opening Colors. |
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| The 49th Regiment of Foot Opening Colors |
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| A pretty fair amount of us Citizens of the American Colonies showed up at Taylor's Colonial Days early on, and more arrived as the day went on. |
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| Lydia helps prepare snacks. |
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| No...I wasn't grumpy lol But we are very happy that we now have new member Lydia in our Citizens of the American Colonies group! |
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| Doc Bloodsworth is always looking to improve his skills... |
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| Doc Bloodsworth chastised his young assistant for not taking proper procedures as in the way he is being taught. |
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| "I shan't tell you two ladies again to Beware the Pox!!" |
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| "Doc Bloodsworth! Doc Bloodsworth! It's my mother! She fell to the ground!" "I'm coming! We shall have to carry her to my office where my tools are!" |
During the 18th century, bloodletting reached its peak as a "heroic" medical cure-all. Rooted in the ancient theory of the four bodily humors, physicians in the 1700s continued to use the practice to treat almost every ailment—ranging from fevers and inflammation to mental illness—by draining large quantities of blood to "rebalance" the body.
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| ~(Living history)~ The procedure was often traumatic. Patients were often bled while sitting upright, sometimes losing consciousness. This immediate shock would calm feverish, agitated, or delirious patients, creating a false impression that the treatment was curing the underlying disease. |
It was not uncommon for practitioners, such as the famous American physician and Founding Father Benjamin Rush, to advocate draining up to 40 ounces (over 1 liter) of blood at once to "calm" patients with mania.
Bloodletting was not reserved strictly for the sick. It was deeply woven into the culture, and healthy individuals routinely requested bloodletting - often in the spring - to change the body's humors with the seasons.
Next up there was a battle scenario
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| The battlegrounds may not always be filled with hundreds of soldiers, but it does give spectators the opportunity to hear what musket fire sounded like. |
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| The area where the battle takes place here at Taylor's Heritage Park is tree-filled. |
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| The British 40th Regiment of Foot. No particular battle is fought at most of our skirmishes - just something to give the visitors an idea. |
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| "All in all, we had a grand time and hope to continue working with these fine gentlemen." |
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| Washington's Life Guard in the Blue and white coats on the left. The two in the middle in the blue and red coats are wearing their French & Indian War uniforms, and the three on the right in the blue and red coats with yellow trim on their hats are the 13th Pennsylvania Regiment. |
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| There was also a fashion show~ |
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| Civilian reenactors bring historical eras to life by portraying everyday people. This role offers a unique way to educate the public about daily life, and oftentimes domestic trades, and society during historical conflicts or time periods. |
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| On a hot day, what's the best way to cool off in the 18th century?? AND...air out your clothing~~? |
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| There you go---from morning 'til the end of the day... |
There are many reenactments taking place all over the country this year, most commemorating America 250, and I plan to try to participate in as many local events as I can without burnout. As you can see, Colonial Taylor was a very good reenactment. The Lee family and the 49th Regiment of Foot do a bang-up job!
This year of 2026 I turned 65. That's not exactly young. But it is not too old to still enjoy myself and participate at these reenactments, even with horrid back and leg issues I have. Luckily for me, I don't do military, so I do not have to march and drill in the hot sun or take a "hit." Instead, I can enjoy times past 'neath the shade of a tree, if I must.
Over the coming weeks and months there will be multiple time-travel opportunities to take part in, including more time at the cabin, a few time-line events, the wonderful 4th of July at Mill Race Village gathering and celebration, multiple bonafide Revolutionary War reenactments with soldiers and battles, and even a couple of Civil War events---yes, I still do those here and there. And that's not counting my period-dress Greenfield Village visits! Yes, God willing, I will have a wonderfully busy summer, and even fall (harvest time!) and winter (click HERE), ahead of me to spend in the past.
All as part of my celebration and commemoration of America 250!
And I plan to post any events I attend right here on Passion for the Past: damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!
Until next time, see you in time.
There are many links at the top of today's post, but for links for what I have written or put together to the American Revolution from this Passion for the Past blog to Help Celebrate America's 250th, click HERE
Thank you to Charlotte and Jennifer for allowing me to use a few of their snaps!
America --- 250
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