How we spent a day back in the French and Indian War

The Fort at No. 4, Charlestown, New Hampshire

Not many re-enactments offer a view of life during the French and Indian War (1754 - 1765).  Most of the battle and living history museums show life during the American Revolution, or the War of 1812, or the Civil War.  The French and Indian War (known in Europe as the Seven Year's War) is very close in time to the American Revolution, but very different in the details the re-enactors portray.

Entering the Garrison

Inside the Garrison are fortified homes, a great hall, stores and other
buildings to explore, with many demonstrations of colonial crafts, cooking,
defense, and everyday life.  

The Fort at No. 4 in Charlestown, New Hampshire was an important defense against the French from Canada during this war.  It was the northernmost garrisoned town on the Connecticut River.  Many of the soldiers who defended the Fort at No. 4, like John Stark, went on to become officers during the American Revolution. This garrisoned village has been preserved for educational purposes, and several battle re-enactments are played out here every summer.  Only one of the re-enactments is set during the French and Indian War.

Blacksmith

Carving horns into powderhorns, hornbooks, cups, shoehorns, etc.

There are many sutlers at these weekend events.  Sutlers or victualers
sold provisions to military camps, and traveled with them to remote outposts

The sutlers provide authentic reproduction wares for re-enactors
and also sell to the general public. You can buy clothing, household
objects, muskets and weapons, and a wide variety of 18th century things.

These photos were taken last weekend.  There is another re-enactment this September set in the Revolution.  There is a special event nearly every weekend, so check out the calendar at the link below. Some of the events are just encampments or militia drills and musters, and some portray Native American life.

Check the schedule for the battle re-enactment times, and set up your blanket or chair early to get a good spot

This re-enactment had actors portraying settlers, British troops, French troops, rangers, Native Americans
and these French Canadian militia known as "milice". This makes the battle very colorful!  

At this re-enactment there was a troop of highlanders with kilts and bagpipes

This group from New York portrayed Rogers Rangers

After the mock battle we wandered through the camps.  The re-enactors were getting ready for their
mid-day meals.  This is one of the French Canadian groups. 

Here in the Native American camp, the men were getting ready to "parlay" with the other groups. 

This is one of the British units roasting a leg of lamb for dinner. It is fun to ask questions and
to join in with the re-enactors for crafts and demonstrations of colonial life.
They will often invite children (and adults) to sit with them and join in on 18th century games.

Another view of the Fort at No. 4 with the French encampment all around it.
The re-enactors stayed all weekend and participated in two mock battles. 

The Fort at No. 4    http://fortat4.org/   
267 Springfield Road
Charlestown, New Hampshire

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Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "How we spent a day back in the French and Indian War", Nutfield Genealogy, posted June 12, 2015 ( http://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2015/06/how-we-spent-day-back-in-french-and.html : accessed [access date]).