Photographs and thoughts on photography and camera collecting
Revolutionary War re-enactors. And a motley looking bunch they are too. I particularly like the guy with the beard (second from the left).
Taken with a Sony A77II and Tamron A18 AF 18-250mm f3.5-6.3.
This guy really is amazing: one of the best storytellers I’ve encountered. He’s something of a legend in the Hudson Valley, particularly known for his renditions, in costume, of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “A Christmas Carol“. His annual Hallowe’en performance of the former in the Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow is particularly renowned and attracts sellout crowds.
Here he’s telling the story of the great West Point chain across the Hudson to a group of enthralled children and their parents (note how two of the children have linked their arms in the above picture).
I also have one of his books: Legends and Lore of Sleepy Hollow and the Hudson Valley. While no substitute for seeing him in person it’s still a good read.
For more on Jonathan Kruk see his website.
Taken with a Sony A77II and Tamron A18 AF 18-250mm f3.5-6.3.
This cannon was placed so as to fire South down the Hudson River. You can see some of the magnificent view from Boscobel looking out over Constitution Marsh towards Anthony’s Nose and Bear Mountain.
At a couple of points during the festivities they fired the cannon, and very spectacular it was too. I assume they were firing blanks and were not intending to take out the boats you can see on the Hudson. Although it would have been cool to see the splash of a cannon ball falling into the Hudson. Too bad.
Taken with a Sony A77II and Tamron A18 AF 18-250mm f3.5-6.3.
Above re-enactors in costumes from the Revolutionary War (on the left) and the war of 1812 (on the right) fire off their weapons. In the background Breakneck Ridge in the Hudson Highlands.
I took these pictures almost a year ago and only now have gotten around to posting them. According to the Boscobel Web Site:
History comes alive as military re-enactors set up encampments from the American Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War, and World Wars. They demonstrate camp life with inspections, formations, musket firings, artillery demonstrations, and drills.
See General George Washington inspect his troops, hear President Abraham Lincoln address his army, and experience a Parrott rifled cannon—forged in Cold Spring at the West Point Foundry—shooting across the Hudson River. Celebrate the 240th anniversary of the Great Chain across the Hudson by seeing an original link from the Chain.
Throughout the event, 18th-century children’s lawn games will be available and the Historic House Museum will be open to explore at your own pace and direction, with expert guides stationed to offer insight and information. Rain or shine.
11:00am 6th NY fire cannon to signal camp is open; camp life with drill
12:30pm Hudson River Valley Stories by Jonathan Kruk
1:00pm Inspection of troops by General Washington, President Lincoln, and General Grant, and including children, at camp sites
1:15pm Address by President Abraham Lincoln
1:30pm Massed drill and weapons’ firing
2:15pm Hudson River Valley Stories by Jonathan Kruk
3:15pm Tactical exercise
3:45pm RetreatFood and beverages will be available for purchase from the Farmers & Chefs food truck, known for Hudson Valley farm-fresh food.
Taken with a Sony A77II and Tamron A18 AF 18-250mm f3.5-6.3.
It’s Memorial Day today, the unofficial start of Summer in the US, and this is the war memorial in Law Park, Briarcliff Manor.
History.com has an interesting piece on the history of memorial day including this quote:
Cities and towns across the United States host Memorial Day parades each year, often incorporating military personnel and members of veterans’ organizations. Some of the largest parades take place in Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C.
Americans also observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials. Some people wear a red poppy in remembrance of those fallen in war—a tradition that began with a World War I poem. On a less somber note, many people take weekend trips or throw parties and barbecues on the holiday, perhaps because it unofficially marks the beginning of summer.
Memorial Day is more or less equivalent to Remembrance Day in the UK in that it remembers those who died in service. The US also has a second holiday: Veterans Day, which celebrates all who served (i.e. whether they died or not).
The memorial in Briarcliff commemorates the dead of World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War. In my walks around I often find that the Korean War is missing. I wonder why?
Taken with a Sony RX-100 M3.