Freedom Trail Marks 50th Year

First British Encampment in Boston Since 1776

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. October 14, 2008

BOSTON, MA, July 15, 2008. The British are coming - again! The Freedom Trail Foundation today announced that it will host the first-ever-in-Boston reenactment of the original British Encampment from the watershed Revolutionary War years of 1775 and 1776.

From August 15 through 17, the Boston Common will be the stage again where Redcoat troops encamped during the siege of Boston. The Boston garrison weekend will feature three days of demonstrations and activities typical of a British 18th century camp. The British Encampment is one of the 50 Events to Celebrate 50 Years, a year-long citywide program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the country's most valued historic treasures - Boston's Freedom Trail. The encampment is a free attraction for visitors.

"There has not been a British camp in Boston since the original encampment in 1775," said Mimi La Camera, president of the Freedom Trail Foundation. "While those were dreadful times more than 230 years ago, we're in the business of telling those stories from all angles, including what it was like for the "Redcoats" quartered in an increasingly hostile American outpost."

Regiments participating in the reenactment include His Majesty's 10th Regiment of Foot; 1st Regiment of Foot Guards; 5th Regiment of Foot; 9th Regiment of Foot; 4th or King's Own Regiment; 21st Foot RNBF; and the 24th Regiment. Demonstrations are scheduled throughout the three-day weekend and many regiments will sleep overnight on Boston Common.

The scheduled program includes: ongoing drills and black powder firing demonstrations; mock tents and bed-making; shoemaking; medical tent; cooking; clothing and uniform maintenance; sporting events (cricket game); court marshal; stocks; music; and a confrontation with colonial militia men. Visitors, especially children, are encouraged to dress in typical colonial dress, experience camp life and have their photo taken.

In addition, "suttlers," itinerant dry goods merchants who frequently accompanied British camps, will be on hand with their recreated 18th century inventory of historic cloth, games, clothes, hats, accessories and household items.

The encampment begins August 15 at 3:00 p.m. and continues until sundown as the regiments set up camp on the Common. Planned activities run between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. Breaking camp begins at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Freedom Trail Players, 18th century costumed tour guides, will be on hand to provide background information about the times in Boston.

As part of the 50 Events to Celebrate 50 Years, the 16 Freedom Trail sites, the Freedom Trail Foundation and 20 other city entities are presenting Freedom Trail and American Revolutionary history-related events that mark Boston's role in America's founding. Under the leadership of the Freedom Trail Foundation, tourism partners are promoting the events, including through special hotel packages available during the anniversary celebration. For a full calendar and additional details, please visit TheFreedomTrail.org.