Revolutionary War history comes alive in Riverhead

The 3rd New York Regiment of Long Island – 1775 Company stood by at the Suffolk County Historical Society on Saturday.

The 3rd New York Regiment is a group of Revolutionary War enthusiasts who reenact the lives of colonial soldiers and the society in which they lived. The 1775 company was one of the founding members of the brigade of the American Revolution when they started re-enacting in 1962.

The original company joined the regiment in 1775 for a six-month enlistment and was raised in Suffolk county, one of five in the New York Regiment at the time. During those six months, the company aided in the effort to invade Quebec, was defeated and subsequently disbanded. The re-enactors’ portrayal is of this six-month period.

“We keep traditions alive and history alive,” said Andrew McClain, the commander of the 3rd New York regiment of Long Island – 1775 Co. McClain has been re-enacting with the 1775 Company since 1988. He began as part of the Southampton militia at age 12 for the bicentennial celebration.

Today’s one-day event was small compared to the weekend-long events that the 1775 company usually attends. The Suffolk County Historical Society hosted only one unit, while national events will have about 100 units or 2,000 people, according to McClain.

“You lose yourself into history for the weekend,” he said. “You leave your cell phone in the car and you’re living in the straw in a tent.”

The event was held on the lawn of the Historical Society and welcomed all passersby to come learn about colonial life.

Everything from the flag, to the furniture, to the bowls on the table are hand-made, according to Colette Gilbert, a volunteer at the Historical Society in Riverhead and the curator of education at the Easthampton Historical Society.

Gilbert worked with Suffolk County Historical Society executive director Kathy Curran to organize this event. “Kathy is a local powerhouse for history,” said Gilbert. “Her enthusiasm makes people want to volunteer their time.”

The 3rd New York Regiment of Long Island – 1775 Co. tries to schedule one to two events per month. Their next event will be on May 19 in Sag Harbor where they will reenact Meigs Raid, also known as The Battle of Sag Harbor.

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Emil Breitenbach Jr.

Click thumbnails to enlarge images

{gallery}cssgallery/2012_0421_encampment{/gallery}