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September 3, 2008

Historic Fort Supply plans annual Living History Day

FORT SUPPLY – “Learning about history does not have to be boring.”

As proved by the Fort Supply Historic Site’s Annual Living History Day, according to Bob Rea, site supervisor.

The Living History Day provides a great opportunity to “get out and have fun with (history),” Rea said, especially since it all takes place “where the real thing happened.”

The purpose of the event is to portray soldiers and civilians who lived in the area during the time period between 1868 and 1894 when Fort Supply was an actual military post, he said.

Highlights of the day include a cavalry demonstration, where re-enactors run through a course showing their skill with sabers, revolvers and carbines, Rea said, noting that this is one of his favorite events of the day.

“It’s always interesting to see the cavalry demonstration,” he said. “I think most people find it interesting the way mounted soldiers practiced their skills.”

Shooting the cannon is also a fun event as it “belches smoke and makes a loud boom,” Rea said, noting that there will be artillery firing demonstrations throughout the day.

Besides the cavalry re-enactors, Rea said other re-enactors could include a Cheyenne Warrior and a Buffalo Soldier.

He noted that the person who portrays the Buffalo Soldier, sometimes will also play the role of school master and bring along his little school house to help show the public what it was like to go to school at a fort.

“It’s really an educational event,” Rea said. “It gives people the idea what it was like to be a soldier or a civilian in Fort Supply in the late 19th century.”

Other activities during the living history day include period musical entertainment and possibly a demonstration of an old-fashioned ox team, he said.

In addition, the restored guard house from when the fort was operational will be open as well as the replica of the stockade, which is where most of the activities will take place, Rea said.

This is the sixteenth year for the Living History Day, which has been held ever since the Fort Supply Historic Site was opened in 1992, he said.

The 16th Annual Living History Day is set for Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

“Come learn history and be entertained,” Rea said. “It really is a fun time.”

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