20th Maine Living History Event at Port Gamble, September 11, 2004
Port Gamble Re-enactor/Sutler Information for June 19, 20 & 21, 2009:
Port Gamble site: The town of Port Gamble is registered as a National Historic site. Port Gamble re-enactment (camps and battlefield) will be located in the town of Port Gamble.
Port Gamble and surrounding forest lands are owned by Olympic Resources. This unique jewel has preserved its historic character throughout the years since 1850’s. Port Gamble is blessed with surrounding beauty which makes this town a haven for locals and tourist. Viewpoints near the General Store and the Cemetery offer scenic vistas overlooking the Hood Canal. The structures retain the east coast architecture prevalent during the 1850’s. There are no modern structures in Port Gamble. This will indeed provide an excellent back drop for a Civil War Re-enactment. You will feel as if you stepped back in time.
Port Gamble wants a Civil War re-enactment in their town and you are ALL invited. We are looking forward to seeing you at Port Gamble.
Trails: Near the edge of the battlefield, there is an amazing trail system which winds through hundreds of acres of old growth trees and forest area. I hiked a small portion of the trails with my son last summer. The forest area is owned by Olympic Resources which owns the town and forest lands nearby. The trails are in good shape. Some of the trails are graveled forest service roads that extend for miles behind Port Gamble. There is an excellent opportunity here for someone to organize a Saturday morning march and/or camp overnight. For more information on this trail system can be found checking out the Port Gamble web site at www.portgamble.com.
Sutlers: Sutlers will be allowed to arrive on Thursday afternoon for set-up. Checkout time is no later than Monday, June 22, 2009. Please contact Norm & Lyn Harriman, Sutler Coordinator, (360) 966-5132 or norm@tstiches.com .
Union Encampment at Port Gamble, June 25, 2005 Union Encampment at Port Gamble, June 23, 2006
Brigade and Civilian camps: Union, Confederate and civilian camps will be located within Port Gamble west of Rainier Avenue. Campers will be allowed to set-up on Friday afternoon/evening. Campers are welcome to stay overnight on Sunday. Checkout time is Monday, June 22, 2009 at 12:00 pm. Campers’ will be allowed to unload at respective camping areas. Keep vehicles and trailers on designated drive aisles in camps. Out of courtesy for other campers’, once your vehicle is unloaded please remove your vehicle to designated re-enactor parking area. If possible, please do not leave your vehicle in camp overnight. Exception is granted to arrivals coming into Port Gamble after 9:00 pm. All vehicles need to be removed from camps before 7:30 am Saturday. Vehicle will be allowed in camp after 3:00 pm on Sunday, June 21st. Out of respect for others, vehicles will not be allowed in camps from 7:30 am Saturday through 3:00 pm on Sunday. If you need to leave early before the event is over or arrive during the event, please park your vehicles on Puget Way or View Drive to unload/load your gear and then remove your car to re-enactor parking at the mill site. Camps are located next to these roads. As you leave the event please do your best to place your garbage in the dumpsters and/or garbage cans. Thank you.
Note for cavalry units: If at all possible, please pile all horse manure at your camp sites at the close of the event on Sunday. The event coordinators will arrange for horse manure to be removed from premises. Please call Howard Struve if you have any further questions. Thank you!
Camp setting: Port Gamble has large grass areas which are more than suitable to hold a re-enactment. All grass areas are maintained throughout the year.
Battle Re-enactment at Port Gamble, June 25, 2005
Battlefield setting: One of the first questions people ask is: where is the battlefield? Port Gamble has a large open grass area across Hwy. 104 which will serve as the battlefield. The battlefield has enough area for the artillery, cavalry and the infantry. Plenty of room for infantry and cavalry maneuvers of any kind. This battlefield has uniqueness over most battlefields that I have visited and participated on in the Northwest. See pictures.
Registration: Will begin Friday, June 19, 2009 at 1:00 pm. The registration table will be located at the intersection of Puget Way and View Drive. See event map for location. On Saturday, June 20, 2009 registration will be located at the Union Battalion and Confederate Battalion Headquarters, respectively.
Modern Camp: Modern camp is located within Port Gamble. See Map link for more details. Please contact Gene Knight, 4th US Infantry, his e-mail address cscgene1@aol.com or phone (253) 441-0479 if you are planning to camp in the modern camp area.
Re-enactor parking: Re-enactor parking is at a new location this year. The parking area is now located south of the town behind the battlefield area, see event map. Please do not park your vehicles on the streets near the camp. Street parking areas are designated for spectators and visitors.
Water: Water is available at locations marked on the event map.
Wood: Wood will be provided for this event - about 3 chords.
Fire pits: The town of Port Gamble will allow fire pits. Please remember to remove all garbage prior to filling in the fire pits once the re-enactment is finished.
Amenities Information: Port Gamble General Store is located at the intersection of View Drive and Rainier Avenue. This store will have on hand, bags of ice, assorted beverages, some food stuff (picnic type items), gifts and other miscellaneous items. In addition, there is a small café/deli located at the back of store which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday and my personal favorite – ice cream. Store hours are from 8am-9pm. Did I mention the espresso shack near the battlefield? There will be a variety of food vendors on hand at the Port Gamble event. A separate oyster bar and fruit stand provide year around goodies for townsfolk’s and tourists alike.
La La Land Chocolates is a wonderful tea shop in an old house along main street with room for 35 people. Try a truffle or two, you will not be sorry.
For more information on Port Gamble and its history, see the Port Gamble website at www.portgamble.com .
Lodging: Opportunities abound for those who prefer a cozy room and a shower to boot. Port Gamble is well served with lodging available in Kingston (4 miles away) and Poulsbo (6 miles) nearby.
Kingston: Smiley’s Motel, 11067 State Hwy 104. Phone (360)297-3622.
Poulsbo: Holiday Inn Express, 19801 7th Avenue NE. Phone (360) 697-4400.
Poulsbo:
Poulsbo Inn, 18680 State Hwy 305 NE. Phone (360) 779-3921
ext. 110 or 1-800-597-5151 toll free
(360) 779-9737 fax www.poulsboinn.com.
Approximately 15-20 minutes from Port Gamble.
Poulsbo Inn: "We also offer an
awesome Complimentary Continental Breakfast Buffet (I travel and this has been
the best I have seen). Make your own Belgium
Waffles, sausage gravy over biscuits, hot & cold cereals, and seasonal fruit,
hard boiled eggs, Danish, doughnuts, muffins, bagels, English
muffins, coffee, tea, juice. We have onsite laundry facilities, hot tub; heated
outdoor pool, exercise room; and all the rooms are equipped with
microwaves, coffee makers, iron/ironing boards & small refrigerators. We do
accept pets in designated rooms for an additional fee of $10.00 and we have
no smoking or smoking units." Room rates are subject to change.