LG Spring 17

Graphic Enterprises - Home of the Pioneer Times USA - A Web Site for Living History

18th Century Spring Encampment
at Historic Locust Grove

April 22-23, 2017

Photos by Kathy Cummings

Often billed as “18th Century Thunder” this event always coincides with the Louisville Derby Festival event - Thunder over Louisville. But just like the city’s Thunder event - it was a rainy, chilly weekend and crowds were down everywhere.

I stopped by on Sunday afternoon when the weather was better and some hardy souls were there entertaining the public. The “faces” as always caught my eye, as did the host group - The Illinois Regiment signing up visiting children as “soldiers” in the Illinois Regiment.


	The Faces of the 18th Century Encampment at Historic Locust Grove

As part of The Illinois Regiments mandate to educate - kids that attend their events are encouraged to sign up for the militia. They stand in line to sign up, are questioned as to whether they have enough good teeth to tear a cartridge to load a firelock and are issued a wooden firelock before marching and repeating commands. Even though I’ve seen this done dozens of times by the regiment - it never fails to bring a smile and a look of complete concentration on the parts of the children. Huzzah!