Saturday March 15, 2003 Reenactment
Reenactor Information:
Why Participate?
The reenactment is being held on the site of the original event, and as this is a functioning town, the historic downtown area is far from "unspoiled" by modern encroachments.
Nonetheless, the downtown area has an attractive period ambiance, particularly the historic station building itself. Most of the civic organizations in Herndon are taking an active role in the event, and therefore the Herndon Raid Reenactment will provide an unparallelled opportunity for community outreach, to recruit new spectators and participants to "the hobby" and to raise awareness about historic preservation.
The costs of the event are being covered by sponsors and all money raised will go to aid two important historic preservation charities, the J.S. Mosby Foundation's efforts to restore Col. Mosby's home in Warrenton and turn it into a museum and the ongoing maintenance of historic (1857) Herndon Station.
We hope that you, and or your unit will be able to join us!About the Event:
The Herndon Raid is a one-day event. The event opens to the public at 10:30 a.m. However, reeenactors are urged to check in by later than 9:30 if possible so that they can attend the reenactor briefing and sign registration forms and liability waivers. Registration begins at 9 am with complimentary coffee served. Click here for the event schedule for reenactors.
There is no registration fee, in fact, pre-approved mounted cavalry reenactors participating will receive an expense stipend.
There are no mounted cavalry "walk ons" (or trot ons!) allowed. All mounted participants must be cleared and approved in advance by the cavalry commanders. Click here for mounted cavalry information.
Civilian and Federal dismounted reenactor walk-ons will be accepted, provided that their impressions meet, or can be adapted to meet, the basic and quite lenienient authenticity guidelines for the event. Click here for authenticity standards and information resouces for military reenactors and for civilians.
Parking:
Reserved parking areas for reenactors have been designated across the W&OD Trail (the former railway line) from the reenactment site. Entry is via Elden Street. (See the event site map for details.) Horse trailers may be parked in this area. Cavalry reenactors may also park at Freeland Young's stables (about a mile and a half away) and trail ride to the even if they prefer. See the Cavalry Information Page for details.
Accommodation & Camping:
As noted, any out of town mounted reenactors will be provided with free (homestay) accommodation. Any other (non mounted) participants from out of town are encouraged to try out local hotels in the Herndon area, including those run by Chamber members. Or, if you're looking for a bit of history and don't mind staying several miles out of town, we highly recommend the Sunrise Hill Farm Bed & Breakfast, owned by Frank Boberek, a member of the 4th Virginia Cavalry (Co. H - Black Horse Troop) reenactment and living history unit, and his wife Sue. The B&B is located in the antebellum Newman house, in the midst of the Manassas Battlefield Park. It's a great base for trail riding on the battlefield and they will even board your horse! (And if you don't have a horse, they can recommend local stables.)Reenactors wishing to camp on site should contact us. There is a nearby field which would be suitable for camping and we will obtain permission if there is sufficient interest.
Logistics & Scenarios:
More will be posted here as the event plan becomes finalized. However, view the event map to see the basic layout of the event area.
Roles and First Person Opportunities:
There are roles for approximately 20 Rangers and we are aiming to have at least 12 of them be mounted participants. There are roles for approximately 25 Federals (primarily dismounted) and four officers. There are also a significant number of civilian roles -- first person portrayals of Herndon citizens and dressed-out participants to help collect money for historic preservation.
Please contact us in advance to let us know of your or your unit's interest, so that we can discuss with you potential roles and how to fit your impression into the event, and also email you a release form (required for insurance purposes.) (note: this will be available for download from the site two weeks prior to the event)
Click here for resources to help you develop a first person portrayal.
Authenticity Standards:
Given the time constraints in organizing this event, authenticity standards will be more toward the "mainstream" side of reenacting than the "progressive."
Basically sutler row jackets are OK for this event, as long as partipants pass the "10 ft rule" and preferably the 3 to 5 foot rule. However, we reserve the right to turn away walk-ons whose impressions does not meet our authenticity standards.
In a word -- no Halloween costumes, no "Scarlett O'Hara wannabee" ballgowns (it's DAYTIME!), no uniforms from the wrong war.
If possible, cavalrymen, mounted or dismounted, should minimize the amount of yellow trim, etc. on their uniform, as we'd prefer this not to be the prevailing unit impression, either Federal or Confederate
The people with the most authentic gear will be asked to participate in the living history presentations afterward and placed in the most visible positions during the actual raid. If you can't make our minimal authenticity standards and still want to participate, contact us in advance and we will try to arrange "loaner gear" for you.
For more information, view the uniform guidelines for military reenactors and the guidlines for civilian participants.
New Reenactor Outreach & Briefing:
In addition to established reenactors, some members of the local community theatre group, the Elden Street Players, will be participating. They will be thoroughly briefed and supplied with loaner gear and be given a workshop a few weeks before the event.
Other people interested in getting into reenacting are also welcome to take part. This is a marvelous hobby that gives you the opportunity to understand history first-hand. If you've been thinking about getting into it, now's a good time!
For established reenactors, this is a great opportunity to do outreach and recruitment for reenacting in the local community, commemorate an interesting historic event and raise money for preservation.
There will be a briefing for new civilian reenactors on authenticity guidelines, clothing, how to do first person portayals, etc. at a date to be announced. Other reenactors are welcome to attend.
At the event itself, there will be a table set up in the sutler / exhibitor area for individuals interested in getting into reenacting to fill in recruiting forms, to outline their areas of interest, so that they can be contacted by relevant units.
Registration:
If you have questions or to register your interest, please contact Kathryn Coombs at If you are with a reenactor unit, please let us know the name of your group, whether you wish to portray a Confederate, Federal or civilian, and provide telephone numbers as well as email contact detalis in your email.
You will be sent, by fax or email, a registration form and release form to sign and fax or mail back to us.
If you have questions, please email us at MosbyWeb@aol.comLoaner Gear Needed:
If you are a reenactor within driving distance of the metro DC area but can't participate, you can still help. We need loaner gear (military and civilian) for new reenactors and people whose impressions don't otherwise fit. Your gear will be well looked after. Anybody borrowing loaner gear will be asked to give a reasonably large (refundable) security deposit. We are also investigating whether loaner gear can be covered under the event's insurance policy.
Visit MosbysRangers.comFor information on the event, contact:
Richard Downer: mosbysraid@HRIAssociates.com
(general information, logistics, civic involvement)
Kathryn Coombs: MosbyWeb@aol.com
(reenactors, living history program, website)