“Taverns and Tories: It’s 1777 Somewhere”
Sunday, June 19th 12:00-4:00pm
The quickly approaching SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL (250th) of the United States will be whatever Americans decide it should be; and it will require an involved and interested citizenry to be successful. We have a short four years to prepare for and think about how we can commemorate our nation’s founding and its repercussions. There are many ways to do this. One way is to support our Revolutionary War sites by attending events such “Taverns and Tories: It’s 1777 Somewhere” at Herkimer Home while another, not suitable for all, is to put on a reproduction wool uniform and join a recreated regiment in order to honor the service and sacrifice of soldiers and civilians of the Revolutionary War, and to provide lasting memories for oneself and the public.
With the 250th approaching Herkimer Home State Historic Site and Rock Valley Brewery in Little Falls will be hosting a Beer tasting event in the shadows of the home of Revolutionary War hero, General Nicolas Herkimer on Sunday June 19th, from 12:00-4:00pm.
During the event a new beer will be unveiled in his honor and available for tasting through separate purchase by legal aged individuals in the beer garden. Rock Valley brewing is a locally owned farm brewery founded in Little Falls and has been in operation since 2018 Additionally, live music will be performed by Liz “Fiddle” Simchik throughout the day, and food and refreshments will be available for purchase from the 508 Salvage BBQ food truck.
In preparation for SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL activities, the recreated armies of King George III and the Continental Congress are seeking new members to fill depleted ranks.
A recruiting party of the 24th Regiment of Foot will staff a display at Herkimer Home State Historic Site during the event. Reenactors will provide musket firing demonstrations exhibit the contents of a soldiers’ knapsack, pitch a tent with bedding, and answer questions about all aspects of reenacting, including costs. Join in and get a feel for the experience by trying on our spare uniforms or enlisting in the cause!
During the event
- Site staff and volunteers will interpret the home and provide house tours, historic background of the Mohawk valley region during the late 18th century, lead colonial children’s games including stilts, bat and trap, and wooden musket drills for visitors, and provide a historic 18th century brewing talk from our summer kitchen.
- Admission to the site is $4.00 per person.
- Rock Valley Brewing Company will be selling a specialty brew called “Oriskany Ale” for $5.00 per 12 ounce pour, cash only.
The 24th Regiment of Foot
The 24th Regiment of Foot co-sponsors events at Herkimer Home in Little Falls, Fort Ontario in Oswego, and Johnson Hall State Historic Sites on the Revolutionary War Heritage Trail from Oswego to Schenectady. The unit participates in large, small, near, and far living history events at forts, historic sites, museums, and battlefields. The recruiting aspect of the event at Herkimer Home is an opportunity for those interested in joining a living history group to prepare for large 250th commemorations, beginning with the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 2025.
Herkimer Home State Historic Site
Herkimer Home State Historic Site is located at 200 NY-169, in Little Falls, NY. For more information on the event or Herkimer home contact Sharon Powell at (315) 823-0398 or by e-mail at sharon.powell@parks.ny.gov.
Rock Valley Brewing Company
Rock Valley Brewing Company is located at 56 West Mill Street, Little Falls NY 13365. For more information on the event or Rock Valley Brewing Company contact Mike George at (315) 508-5313.
