Hi
I have been a history buff for more years that I care to remember and have also been involved with living history and battle re-enactment for over thirty years. In fact I am now a professional historical reenactor interpreter. I get paid to do my hobby how cool is that ?
I also love Florida and have a villa in Orlando of course. So what it I could combine the two interests !
I had a little dig around to see what of interest I could find in the off the beaten track of the usual Florida attractions and came up with two annual events and also a nice to place to visit.
So that`s what this short article is about.
2012 Brooksville Raid Reenactment
The location is on Hwy. 50 West at the
Sand Hill Scout Reservation
The Hernando Historical Museum Assoc. , Inc. and North Pinellas County Scout Sertoma Club, Inc. present the 32nd Annual Brooksville Raid Reenactment,
Jan. 21st & 22nd, 2012.
This reenactment is a re-creation of a Civil War battle that happened in Hernando County in July of l864 .
The Raid is held the 3rd weekend in January every year. We have become the largest Civil War reenactment in Florida with over 1500 reenactors and their families. With have 28 cannons, 60 horses, and over 50 sutlers.
The public is invited to tour, at no additional charge, the authentic confederate and union camps and actually see how they lived and what it was like during the Civil War. They expect around 60 sutlers (Vendors), so you can purchase any Civil War items you might want. They also have kettle corn, old time root beer and you can' t leave without having a FRY BREAD. All animals must be on a leash.
February 17, 18, 19, 2012. The Battle of Olustee reenactment, parade and Living History. Olustee Battlefield State Historic Site, Olustee, Florida. . The reenactment takes place on the actual site where the Battle of Olustee (Ocean Pond) was fought. Visit with thousands of Civil War reenactors, tour the camps, see demonstrations of all types. Best gathering of Civil War sutlers at any Civil War event with 80+ sutlers in attendance. Friday is School Day. Battles Saturday and Sunday. Full scale artillery . The Olustee Battle Festival Parade will begin at 10:30 AM. No pets. Due to concerns for public safety, no fur bearing animals such as cats and dogs will be allowed during the reenactment activities. This does not apply to horses. Get there early. The crowd gets big fast, sign-in and parking can be a hassle. First time visitors and reenactors to the event should read the listing of activities at http://battleofolustee. org/ The battlefield is located just fifteen miles east of Lake City on Hwy. 90 from I-75 and 50 miles west of Jacksonville. Take I-75 to Hwy. 90 exit. Go east on Hwy. 90. Drive slow, the signs at the entrance for reenactors have been small and hard to see in the past. Contact the Olustee Battlefield Historic Site at (386) 758-0400 or email olusteecso@yahoo. com
March 9, 10, 11, 2012. 15th Annual Battle at Crystal River, FL. The reenactment will be held once again at the Holcim, Inc. property site. School and living history day is Friday, March 9th from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Authentic Civil War Era Sutlers . Civil War Battles take place at 2:00 PM Saturday and Sunday with pyrotechnic blasts for effects. A ladies tea will be held Saturday morning. There will be an 1860' s dance Saturday night for reenactors and guests. Sunday morning Church service in the barn for reenactors and the public. Authentic camps for CSA and USA. . Directions: Seven miles northwest of Crystal River along US 19/98, site is on the west side of the road. Site entrance signs will be on the highway. From Dunnellon, take CR 448 west, turn north on US 19/98; or SR 40 west to Inglis, turn south on US 19/98. From Orlando, take the Florida Turnpike north to I-75, exit at first exit at Wildwood (SR 44) to US 19, turn north to Crystal River and follow the signs. As you pass over the railroad tracks, get in the left lane. go about a mile and turn left into the small one lane entrance road. GPS position: N28. 59. 281 W082. 38. 889
Amelia Island
Amelia Island is on the Atlantic Coast of Florida, 30 miles north of Jacksonville. It is the northernmost of Florida' s Atlantic barrier islands. The island' s population about 20, 000 people with about half living in Fernandina Beach. Tourism is one of its largest industries and increases the population during the entire year. Amelia Island is about 13 miles long and 2 miles wide
On Amelia Island is Fort Clinch which has guarded the port of Fernandina for over 150 years.
Construction on the fort began in 1847 but was never completed. Work continued during and after the American Civil War, with Union and Confederates occupying the fort for a time but developments in weaponry particularly artillery made the brick and earthen fort uneffective. Fort Clinch has seen service during the Civil War, Spanish-American War and the Second World War. It became one of Florida' s first parks in 1937.
Fort Clinch sits inside the Fort Clinch State Park which is over 1, 100 acres of heavily wooded natural lands and seashore. There are campgrounds along the Amelia River on the west side and also just behind the dunes of the Atlantic-side beach. There are there is abundant wildlife and biking / hiking trails throughout .
On the south end of Amelia Island is the commercial resort area known as Amelia Island Plantation and little known American Beach.
Further south and just off Amelia Island we find Big and Little Talbot Islands. Fully natural seashore and wooded areas . Hiking trails, waterways suitable for canoe and kayak and windswept, pristine beaches make it possible for people to get up close to nature. For those who like to be alone , Little Talbot Island has some of the ' loneliest' beaches around.
A further south you can visit Fort George Island and the Kingsley Plantation. The site of the Kingsley Plantation was first established in the late 1790' s by John McQueen, who fled from his debts in South Carolina to Florida with 300 slaves. The National Park Service cares for a portion of the original plantation in what is known as Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. This historic site is well preserved and offers visitors the opportunity to walk the grounds of one of the earliest Florida Plantations.
The historic city of St. Augustine is about an hour away and Daytona Beach about 90 minutes. This area can be accessed best by aircraft from the Jacksonville International Airport (30 minutes).
all the best
Ian (Mr Flibble)