|
|
|
White Hawks Primitive Riflemen ready for big reenactment
|
By WENDY MITCHELL Staff Writer
|
BLUE LICKS BATTLEFIELD STATE RESORT PARK -- For nearly 25 years, members of the White Hawks Primitive Riflemen have gathered one weekend in August at the site of the Battle of Blue Licks to host a reenactment of the battle which etched the rural Kentucky location in the history books.
"None of this would be possible without the dedication of reenactors," said Paul Tierney, park naturalist at Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park.
History is the sinew lace that ties the members together, said Larry Stricklett, a White Hawk also known as Little Turtle when he is wearing his Native American leathers and green and black face paint.
"reenactors are as diversified as weeds ... most are really laid back and from every walk of life but we all have a love of history." said Stricklett.
Research is part of achieving as authentic a character for reenactments as possible.
"When we are not at different battle sites there is usually a lot of reading going on." said Stricklett, who is employed as a mechanical trades instructor at Ohio Valley Community Technical Center, in West Union, Ohio.
Hundreds of reenactors, including the White Hawk group, have been invited to participate in the 225th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle of Blue Licks, Aug. 18-19.
"The first year I was in the battle at Blue Licks, about 1982, there were only 10-12 of us and about five camps. We needed more bodies for the reenactment so we enlisted some local kids to play Indians in the battle. Then there was one year in there that the park hired another group to host the event, but somebody supposedly blew themselves up and they all left. We have hosted it since then, I believe," said Stricklett.
Depending on the number of participants, the battle sometimes became more complicated, said Mary Cottrell, White Hawk secretary.
"Before there were so many participating, sometimes the guys said they would get shot, fall down and die, then get up and join the battle again in another spot," said Cottrell.
Stricklett likes to portray Little Turtle, but occasionally dons the garb of an Eastern Longhunter.
"I like being an Indian at Blue Licks because we get to win that one," said Stricklett. "My friend Phillip Rose is also a member of the Shawnee Alliance."
Other members also dress in Eastern Longhunter or Mountain Man period attire.
"Most of us stick to a time period prior to the American Civil War," said Stricklett.
Being a reenactor, where gunpowder is used in flintlock riffles, comes with some safety concerns.
"They don't work in the rain and I think we all have some powder marks on our backs from when someone fires a gun too close. I broke my nose once," said Stricklett.
It wasn't the hand-to-hand battle that caused the injury but a tree root.
"I tripped an went face first into the tree," said Stricklett.
Stricklett has been a White Hawk member since 1982. Others have been in the group longer.
"I think Butch Alexander, of Carlisle is the only remaining original member. He is the president of the group," said Stricklett.
Members come and go; gas prices cut into tight budgets or participation is limited by other obligations, said Stricklett.
In recent years a change in back to school schedules may have put a damper in participation by some reenactors, said Stricklett.
"A lot of reenactors liked to involve the whole family. It (Blue Licks reenactment) use to be the last one before kids had to go back to school. Now some schools are in session in early August so some folks don't make it to this one," said Stricklett.
White Hawks are not the official hosts of the event this year. Preparations are being handled in a different way, through on line registrations and a large committee coordinated by the Kentucky Department of Parks, officials said.
"We can enjoy not being in charge this year," said Stricklett.
Reenactors will get to sample the talents of the White Hawks in a setting befitting a 1782 frontier. This year the pioneer encampment will be set up near Tanner Station, on Blue Licks State Resort Park property across from the main park along U.S. 68. Volunteer White Hawk members began building the station a few years ago and with the addition of a roof and stockade the station has attracted visitors of its own for over a year.
"Even though the event is being done in a different way I think it will be providing a better event for the reenactors and visitors," said Tierney. "If the numbers are an indicator, estimating that about 30 percent of the reenactors are taking advantage of pre-registration on the internet, and the rest will probably just show up, things are looking good. We have several groups, some from as far away as Canada and Detroit, planning to participate."
For information go to www.battleofbluelicks.org. |
|
|
Reader Comments
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.
sarah wrote on Aug 8, 2007 5:32 PM: " I think you can come as an individual, there is a sign in at the website. They just want to get an idea how many are coming. "
local little girl wrote on Aug 8, 2007 3:23 PM: " I sure miss the days of when locals who weren't a part of a group could be in the re-enactment. I was in it about 1984 as a small child who was captured. My older siblings were in it too. The pictures still bring back memories. "
Add your own comments:
|
|
|
Jobs
Homes
Cars
Print Ads