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Blues Licks Battlefield State Park celebrates 225th anniversary of battle
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MOUNT OLIVET -- For Kentuckians in the 1780s, the Battle of Blue Licks marked what was the final battle of the Revolutionary War in Kentucky. For first timers to the Battle of Blue Licks re-enactment, which took place over the weekend, the excitement of gunpowder filled combat accented by screams of agony and victor war cheers was inspiring .
"This is awesome," said Melissa Butler of Morehead, "It is the first time I have been to this but it makes you want to join in."
With a greatly expanded venue, including the recent access to acreage adjacent to the main park lands, visitors were treated to shuttle service to and from parking areas and to encampment venues throughout the park.
"If you need a ride, just flag down one of the golf carts," said a greeter at one of the information stations dotting Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park.
Joyce Stoddard, of Carlisle, had been to the event in the past. This year she had a little difficulty seeing parts of the action but over all she gave the 225th commemorative celebration of the battle a thumbs up.
"I liked it," said Stoddard.
In the original 1782 battle 78 pioneers died on the battlefield or in the Licking River when attacked by British and Native American fighters. In the Aug. 18-19, 2007 battle, nearly as many pioneer re-enactors stormed up the hill near the river to encounter re-enactors portraying troops who had attacked the Bryan Station settlement a few days before.
Some audience members had personal ties to the battle.
"I have an ancestor, Lieutenant James McGuire, was killed by Indians in the river during the battle," said Patricia Osborne, of Michigan.
Osborne had attended a previous Blue Licks re-enactment and was impressed at the new style of the event and dedication to her heritage re-enactors had shown in the battle.
"This was just wonderful. They have done a good job. The enthusiasm is appreciated," said Osborne.
With more space to stage fighting, park officials also welcomed a small detachment of mounted re-enactors, making for sometimes spectacular photographic battle memories.
"We wanted to surprise people with the horses," said Park Manager Stephanie Gaither, between her trips to assist visitors, using a golf cart as a taxi for some heat weary visitors. "We want to make it the best we can for the visitors every year."
Lines were long at lunch time at the vendor stations which were set up near the Pioneer Museum. Even a stand selling water discovered the popularity of it's product may have been underestimated.
"We expected there may be some glitches, it's the first time for something of this magnitude, overall everything has been flowing well," said Gaither.
A special lady got to cut the ribbon for the ceremonial re-opening of the Pioneer Museum and park officials had a surprise for her.
Lou Ella Moore was not only honored with a citation from the Kentucky House of Representative for her dedication to the park, but the lower level of the museum was given her name.
"Isn't that great. I am so honored they did that," said Moore.
Moore is noted for having only missing two days of work in her 30-year career at the park. Miss Lou, as she is called is as much a part of the museum as the mastodon bones and displays.
"When the good Lord comes looking for her he will have to come looking inside here," one museum greeter said.
From memorial celebrations attended by members of Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution, including SOAR president-elect and Maysville Mayor David Cartmell, to performances by the Danville Pipe Band and many others, visitors appeared to joy the experience.
Following the re-enactment, as participants posed for some photos with visitors, one small group of visitors compared the battle to historic events in their own country.
Michelle Xia, visiting from China recognized the British attire and wondered why the Native Americans sided with the British. She compared the battle to past conflicts between China and Japan, but enjoyed the show.
"This is very nice," said Xia.
The Rumsey family of Williamsburg, Ohio frequently has history in mind for summer fun. Amy, 14, and Jesse, 19, accompanied their father to the battleground, complete with period costumes.
"This was cool," said Amy Rumsey, who often accompanies her father on re-enactments.
Their father Dave Rumsey portrayed a pioneer in the battle. The Rumseys are members of Grassy Run Historic Re-enactors.
Several members of another group, the one which began holding the Blue Licks Battler re-enactments in 1982, White Hawk Primitive Riflemen, also participated in the battle, some as pioneers and others as Native Americans. This year's battle was a dream come true for some members.
"This is what I have wanted this (the re-enactment) to be for so many years," said White Hawk President Butch Alexander as he toured the museum. "It is what I had envisioned it should be."
Like some other re-enactors, Alexander found a familiar face in the museum. Murals inspired by previous battle re-enactments adorn the areas above new displays.
"Look that's you," a visitor told a small regiment of red coated soldiers. They posed for photos below their own images.
Logistically the event was made possible through the devotion of the re-enactors and volunteers, said Paul Tierney, park naturalist and a re-enactor himself. Tierney monitored the needs of the performers and visitors, dressed in 1780's garb himself.
According to officials, the two day attendance goal of 4,000 to 6,000 visitors was nearly met on Saturday alone with approximately 3,000 visitors attending, nearly double of previous annual event totals.
"We have not got the totals for Sunday, but I believe we will be well within the goals we hoped for," said Gaither.
A cooperative effort between the Kentucky Department of Parks, Blue Licks Commemorative Commission, state and local officials, Robertson County Tourism, friend and family volunteers, and experts from other parks and agencies helped make the event a success, officials said.
For Gaither and Tierney the end of the 2007 re-enactment activities meant one thing.
"Now we start planning for the 226th Commemoration, Aug. 16-17., 2008" said Gaither.
For more history about the battle go to www.battleofbluelicks.org.
For more area news, go to www.maysville-online.com
Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 564-9091, ext. 276. |
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