Civil War Reenacting

Civil War Reenacting combines all the elements of history, camping, music, outdoor exercise and comradeship. In addition, it represents a way that we in the 21st Century can honour the brave men who fought and died in the 19th century during the Civil War. The 69th is made up of individual men, fathers and sons, and families who are engaged in a wide variety of activities. The primary activity of the 69th Pa is our participation in Civil War battle reenactments. These weekend events recreate the camps and battlefields of the Civil War. Another activity is participation in parades and "living history" events. The 69th Pa also has a musical group which performs traditional Irish and Civil War music, both in reenactment camps and in local Irish Pubs. The musicians are a major fundraising source for the "preservation" projects of the 69th. These projects locate gravesites of the men who fought in the unit and, where needed, place gravestones on these sites in their memory. Another activity of the 69th Pa involves history bus tours which follow the footpaths of the unit during the Civil War. These trips visit battlefields, campsites, gravesites and monuments to relive the history of the Irish regiment.

The 69th Pa Irish Volunteers engage in military drills, use authentic uniforms and weapons and cook their meals over the open fire. Joining the unit requires the purchase of a uniform, leathers, shoes and a rifle. The cost of this equipment is about $1000. New members are always invited to borrow some equipment from present members to get started.