Program

Tentative Schedule for Defenders Day at North Point

Fort Howard Park, Edgemere, MD

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Printable Schedule

Be aware the schedule can change. Flintlock weapons and black powder don't work well if it should rain. Since the participants are unpaid volunteers, and we're outdoors, all times listed below are what we hope will happen at the time shown.

All ceremonial and battle re-enactment activities will take place at Battery Harris.
Battery Harris is shown on the Ft. Howard park map available on this web site.

"Battlefield" Safety notes:
The "battlefield" area in the shorefront area below Battery Harris will be roped off with bright tape.
For your safety, and to assure that all visitors enjoy the battle re-enactments without delays or interruptions, only Military Living History groups and event officials are allowed inside the roped-off "battlefield" area.

cannonfire animation

- Musket and artillery fire at this event uses "blank" black powder charges. There can be large clouds of real black powder smoke, especially if there is little wind. There can be a sulphurous 'rotten-egg' smell to the smoke.

- Cannonfire can be quite loud. Take heed when artillery crews prepare to fire.

 

  • 9:00 am      Park Opens
    • Park gates open to public for event admission. Display areas near Battery Harris open.
  • 9:45 am      1814 Encampment closed, prepare for Welcome Ceremony
      Military Living History Units:
      Units fall in by Company, for inspection, on road in front of the encampment area.

      Following inspection all units, upon Brigade command, will form Brigade column. Column will then march to the parade ground in front of Battery Harris in anticipation of flag-raising ceremony.
  • 10:00 am       Public Program begins.    [Battery Harris]
      US Flag Welcome and Flag-raising Ceremony

      Tentative: Introduction and remarks, by public officials and visiting dignitaries.

      Military Living History Units:

      by Company: from Line into Column, then march back to encampment area in Brigade column.

 

  • 10:15 am      1814 Military Camps reopen to the Public
  • 10:30 am      Living History Programs
      artisan

      Living-history displays and interpretative sessions open to the public, in the lower encampment area. Various 1812 era 15-20 minute living history displays, including historical, trades and crafts, period skills and games. Beginning at 10:30, 11:00 and 11:30. These take place in the American and British military camps, and at the Battery Key "triangle".
  • 11:00 am      Ladies of North Point
        • Historical vignettte will be presented at the Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society's pavilion, near the Battery Key "triangle".
  • 11:45 am      1814 Encampment closes
      Military Living History Units:

      by Company: assemble into Line at parade ground.
  • 12:30 pm      Public Ceremony     [Battery Harris]
      US Flag
      Welcoming speeches and introductions.


  • 1:15 pm       War of 1812 Battle Reenactment begins.     [Battery Harris]
      • Interpreted for you by the volunteer Military Living History Units affiliated with Chesapeake1812; the McHenry Guard; invited guests and living history groups.
  •   1:45 pm        First Battle Reenactment ends.
      • Military Living History Units:   
      Regroup after battle and reassemble. Form column by company, return to parade ground. Prepare for Flag Ceremony.
  •   1:45 pm       First Flag Ceremony      [Battery Harris]
        • Union Jack
        The United States national flag will be lowered, and the national flag of Great Britain will be raised. This ceremony symbolizes the British invasion at North Point, and occupation of Patapsco Neck September 12-17, 1814.
  •   1:45 pm      1814 Encampment closes
      • Military Living History Units:
      From parade ground: by Company from Line into Column. March back to encampment area for lunch period.
  • 2:30 pm      Living History Programs
      artisan

      Living-history displays and interpretative sessions open to the public, in the lower encampment area. Various 1812 era 15-20 minute living history displays, including historical, trades and crafts, period skills and games. Beginning at 10:30, 11:00 and 11:30. These take place in the American and British military camps, and at the Battery Key "triangle".
  • 03:00 pm      Ladies of North Point
        • Historical vignettte will be presented at the Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society's pavilion, near the Battery Key "triangle".
  •   3:45 pm      1814 Encampment closed
      • Military Living History Units:
      reform on field; by individual Company. Display for battle re-enactment.
  •   4:00 pm      Second Battle Reenactment begins.       [Battery Harris]
  •   4:30 pm       Second Reenactment ends.
      Military Living History Units:
      reform at the "parade ground" following end of battle re-enactment. Prepare for concluding Flag Ceremony. [Battery Harris]
  •   4:30 pm       Final Flag Ceremony       [Battery Harris]
      • US Flag
      British flag will be lowered, and the United States flag raised again. This symbolizes the departure of the British from Patapsco Neck after the British invasion fleet at Old Roads Bay off North Point weighed anchor and made sail on September 17th.

      Military Living History Units:
      From parade ground: by company; from Line into Column. Then march back to camp.

  • The second flag ceremony concludes the Public Program portion of the event.
  •   5:00 pm      Park closes
      • 1814 Encampment area, display area and battlefield areas are now closed for the day.

      Participant motor vehicles may now re-enter the encampment and display areas. Please keep all paved lanes open for exiting participants.