The 18th Century Military Encampment & Battle Reenactment, scheduled for September 24th and 25th has been cancelled due to New York State’s new gun law that restricts the carrying of firearms in “sensitive places” including parks and museums. A statement from the governor’s office said that the law that went into effect on September 1st does not forbid reenactments. “These laws allow historical reenactments to occur,” “and we will work with legislators and local law enforcement to ensure these events can legally and safely proceed”. However, there is no specific exemption in the legislation for reenactments.
The Rogers Island Visitors Center (RIVC) and the reenactors scheduled to participate in the event are not comfortable moving forward with this year’s reenactment under the current law. The RIVC is not alone in its event cancellation. Reenactments all over the state have been cancelled by many organizations wary of the legal consequences. We encourage all those who enjoy attending these events to contact your state legislators in support of an exemption to ensure that these events can happen in the future.
After hosting a small naval reenactment in June, our first since before Covid, we were very excited for the return of the fall encampment, our largest and most attended event of the year. We are a small non-profit organization with a limited budget and the fall reenactment is our largest fundraising event of the year. Our need to cancel the event for a third year in a row due to circumstances beyond our control was extremely difficult and disappointing.
We hope that those who were interested in attending the reenactment will still visit the RIVC this fall, tour the Visitors Center and learn more about our fascinating local history. We are open 10am-4pm Tuesday-Saturday and 1-4pm Sundays through October 8th.
Come to Rogers Island on September 24th and 25th for an 18th Century Military Encampment and Battle Reenactment.
Experience life in an 18th century military camp. View naval and land battles. Reenactors will include Rangers, Soldiers, Sailors, Bateau men and Native Americans.
Photos Courtesy of “The Wolves of the English” reenactment group
September 24th, 9:30am-5pm and September 25th, 9:30am-3pm.
Tour the camp and view the reenactors all day. Battles will take place at scheduled times. Schedule listed below.
- Saturday, September 24th
- 9:30am-Camp opens to the public
- 11:00am-Naval Battle
- 2:00pm-Land Battle
- 5:00pm-Camp closes to the public
- Sunday, September 25th
- 9:30am-Camp opens to the public
- 11:00am-Naval Battle
- 1:00pm-Land Battle
- 3:00pm-Camp closes to the public/Event Ends
There is no charge to view the reenactment. $5 Parking fee per vehicle.
Stop in the Visitor Center, view the exhibits and learn more about the history of Rogers Island. Visitor Center Admission-$5 for Adults. Members, children under 18 and Veterans are free.
Wear comfortable shoes, bring your suncreen and be sure to explore the rest of our campus and gardens while you’re visiting!