The 17th & 18th centuries are a delight for anyone with a passion for the historical. Whether your interest is music or the arts, the ballroom or the battlefield, fashion or adventure, the splendour of royal courts, the untamed wilderness of colonial frontiers or tales of high drama on the high seas ... these two centuries are unsurpassed.
What would it have been like to found a new colony, fight off pirates or participate in a Highland charge? Imagine marching with a great captain such as Gustavus Adolphus, Charles XII, The Duke of Marlborough, Frederick the Great or General George Washington. How splendid to be present at a performance of the latest work of Bach or Handel, to promenade at a Grand Ball or to admire a work in progress at the hands of a "Dutch Master."
Yes, here in Arizona we do imagine.
It might be a bit of a surprise to many but Arizona is quickly growing in the area of recreating and reenacting the 17th and 18th centuries. Refusing to be bound by geography, imaginative Arizonans are exploring facets of history ranging from the courts of Europe to the Scottish Highlands to the Thirteen Colonies to the Spanish Main and beyond. From formal balls to fur trader rendezvous, picnics to battle reenactments and dramatic portrayals to celtic gatherings both Colonial America and the Jacobean, Baroque and Georgian periods of European history are becoming increasingly well represented through historical reenacting in our state.
Here are a few cameo paragraphs arranged chronologically regarding who is doing what in living history from the early 1600s to the late 1700s in Arizona.
We Make History organizes historical reenactment events, holds dramatic historic portrayals and hosts grand historic balls. The American Heritage Festival is Arizona's largest multi-era historical reenacting event and has served as the catalyst for 18th century reenacting in our state. Two of this event's featured facets are Revolutionary War battles and a church service based on the field preaching of George Whitefield during the "Great Awakening" of the 1740s. As mentioned, We Make History also hosts a number of historic Balls each year some of which are set in the 17th & 18th centuries. Among these are Her Majesty's Ball each January as a gathering for 17th and 18th century aristocrats, George Washington's Birthday Ball each February and The Buccaneers' Ball in June. The Highland Ball in August is a multi-era event but is hosted by 18th century characters Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald. In 2007 the Jamestown Ball celebrated the quadricentennial of the founding of Virginia ... and America. Dramatic portrayals for these centuries by We Make History range from circa 1630 to the 1780s including among others William Bradford, King Charles II, a colonial governor, Rev. George Whitefield, Bonnie Prince Charlie, an English aristocrat, Patrick Henry and General George Washington.
The Society of Early America is the wing of We Make History encouraging the study and interpretations of various facets of 17th and 18th century life with a particular emphasis on culture and the arts. For instance, one of the activities we enjoy is attending Baroque or Classical productions of the Phoenix Symphony in attire correct to the period of the pieces performed. We also like to participate in Scottish cultural events in Mesa and Flagstaff.
The Powderhorn Clan recreates the lives, experiences and encampments of explorers, fur traders, frontiersmen, longhunters and native peoples of the American frontier from circa 1740 to 1840.
This society recreates the experiences of both sides of the Scottish uprising led by Bonnie Prince Charlie against the forces of King George II in 1745-1746.
Rogers' Rangers
This group seeks to experience the drama of the frontier military campaigns of the French & Indian War circa 1754-1763.
General Washington's Army includes impressions of American militia, riflemen and regular Continental Line troops of the United States Army during the American Revolution. The full scope of the Revolutionary War from 1775 to victory at Yorktown in 1781 is covered. George Washington's Army proudly participates each November in the American Heritage Festival.
This new group is determined to grow and to honor the ubiquitous unit of Virginia and Pennsylvania riflemen which fought for liberty in the American Revolution across the length and breadth of eastern North America under their justly famed commander General Daniel Morgan. Morgan was a force to be reckoned with as early as the invasion of Canada in 1775 and was the American commander in the decisive victory which took place at Cowpens, South Carolina in 1781.
The 20th o' Foot is a military portrayal of British regular infantry during the American Revolution. Like General Washington's Army they take part in the American Heritage Festival. They represent King George at Scottish cultural events as well. Loyalist ("tory") participation is welcome.
The 18th Regiment of Infantry, known as the Gatinais Regiment, served King Louis XVI of France. During the American Revolution, while under the command of General Washington and Le Comte de Rochambeau, the Gatinais Regiment particularly distinguished itself at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781, during which it stormed and captured a key British redoubt. The Gatinais proudly participate each November in the American Heritage Festival.
The 2nd Company of Catalonian Volunteers
The 2nd Company of Catalonian Volunteers serves in the army of His Majesty Carlos III, King of Spain and The Indies, circa the year of our Lord 1780. As such they are allies of France, at war with Britain and therefore de facto allies of the United States of America. In fact, Spanish troops fought alongside French and American troops in several actions during the American Revolution. The Catalonian Volunteers take part in a number of historical and cultural related activities each year including the American Heritage Festival.
