The Brigade of the American Revolution

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The Brigade of the American Revolution

An Association of Revolutionary War Living Historians Since 1962 the Brigade has been recreating a broad spectrum of the 18th Century.

It's activities include military encampments, tactical exercises, firelock shooting competitions, craft demonstrations and social activities. The Brigade also conducts annual schools and educational seminars featuring experts from several fields of 18th Century study.

05/29/2026

Important Battle of Brooklyn 250 Update

Due to the ongoing conflict and heightened security concerns connected to the war in the Middle East, Fort Hamilton is unfortunately no longer available as an overnight camping location for the 2026 Battle of Brooklyn commemorative weekend.

While this change was unexpected, the Board of the Brigade of the American Revolution has been working closely with our partners to ensure that alternative accommodations and programming opportunities are secured for participants.

We are currently in discussions with several potential locations for Friday and Saturday overnight camping options, including both 18th-century and modern camping, as well as possible Sunday programming opportunities.

Despite this adjustment, the commemorative programming throughout Brooklyn on Saturday, August 22, 2026 will continue as planned. Following morning transportation to the event sites, participants and visitors will experience a series of programs tracing the events and legacy of the Battle of Brooklyn. Highlights of the day include a strategic overview of the campaign in Prospect Park, tactical skirmishes and interpretation at Green-Wood Cemetery and the Old Stone House, and a special Maryland Commemoration Ceremony featuring dignitaries and keynote speakers.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we continue coordinating logistics for this major 250th anniversary event. Additional updates will be shared as soon as arrangements are finalized.

05/28/2026

The Brigade of the American Revolution is proud to support new scholarship and research through the BAR Founders Grant.

Established to encourage continued study of the Revolutionary Era, the grant supports researchers, graduate students, public historians, and independent scholars whose work deepens our understanding of the American Revolution and the Atlantic World between 1763 and 1785.

The BAR believes that strong living history begins with strong historical research — and we are committed to helping support the next generation of scholarship.

Learn more about eligibility and applications:
https://www.brigade.org/foundersgrant

05/27/2026

Join us June 7, 2026 for the Rochambeau Festival at Rochambeau Park in Yorktown Heights, New York — a full day of Revolutionary War living history commemorating the enduring Franco-American alliance.

Hosted by Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route – NY and the Brigade of the American Revolution, the festival will feature:

• Tactical weapons demonstrations
• Revolutionary War encampments
• Artisan and craft demonstrations
• Historical presentations
• Interactive public programming

The event will also welcome special dignitaries and international guests, including representatives connected to the United Nations and the French delegation.

05/26/2026

The road to White Plains begins.

In October 2026, the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of White Plains is planned to bring hundreds of living historians, soldiers, artisans, and musicians together in Westchester County, New York for one of the largest Revolutionary War commemorations of the Semiquincentennial.

As plans continue to develop in partnership with Westchester County Tourism, we are excited to begin sharing updates, previews, and behind-the-scenes planning for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend of living history.

Please note: all programming, logistics, and schedules remain subject to final county approvals and contract authorization.

Learn more: www.brigade.org/whiteplains2026

05/25/2026

Today, the members of the Brigade of the American Revolution pause to remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States.

Memorial Day is more than the unofficial start of summer — it is a day of reflection, gratitude, and remembrance. As living historians, we are reminded that behind every uniform throughout
our nation’s history was a person willing to give everything for the ideals they believed in.

From the fields of the American Revolution to the conflicts of the modern era, we honor those who never returned home and the families who carry their memory forward.

May we never forget their sacrifice.

04/16/2026

The BAR was honored to offer attendees of our Redcoats and Resistance conference, held at United States Military Academy at West Point, the rare opportunity to visit historic Fort Putnam in person. Tours were expertly led by LTC (Ret.) Jennifer Voigtschild and COL (Ret.) Jim Johnson, Ph.D., whose insights brought the site’s rich Revolutionary War history vividly to life.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ETD46SBrp/

04/15/2026

One of the most memorable experiences from Redcoats & Resistance was our private tour of Fort Putnam—an incredible opportunity made possible by the expertise of Jim Johnson and Jennifer Voigtschild.

Jennifer Voigtschild, the Command Historian at the United States Military Academy (USMA), who serves on the Superintendent’s staff, provided invaluable insight into the fort’s history and significance. Together, she and Jim Johnson brought the site to life, connecting the landscape to the events of the Revolutionary War in a truly meaningful way.

Fort Putnam is not typically open to the public, making this experience especially unique. To walk the grounds of such an important historic site—guided by experts of this caliber—was both a privilege and an honor for all who attended.

Thank you again to Jim and Jennifer for making this such a special and unforgettable part of the weekend!

Check out some of the photos below!

04/12/2026

Thank You for an Incredible Weekend at Redcoats & Resistance!

We are so grateful to everyone who made Redcoats & Resistance such a tremendous success this weekend! With over 125 in-person attendees at the West Point Club Ballroom and an additional 90 virtual participants, it was an inspiring and energizing gathering of historians, reenactors, and enthusiasts alike.

A very special thank you to our organizers, Niel DeMarino and Dakota Griffin, whose vision and dedication brought this event to life. We are also incredibly appreciative of the support from Chris and Mary Diaman, and Megan Fells of the West Point Club, for helping ensure everything ran smoothly.

To our outstanding presenters—Jim Johnson, Jennifer Voigtschild, Sean Sculley, Vivian Davis, Thomas Wermuth, Patrick O’Donnell, David Price, Dylan Yeats, and Benjamin Carp—thank you for sharing your expertise and passion. A particular highlight was the private tour of Fort Putnam, led by Jim Johnson and Jennifer Voigtschild, which provided a truly unforgettable experience for our attendees.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Roy Najecki and the Debra Najecki Endowment, whose generosity allows us to offer high-quality educational programming at an accessible cost.

We would also like thank our vendors, Continental Consulting, W3R-NY / Washington Rochambeau Trail- NY, Lady Augusta’s Trinkets, and Revolutionary Westchester Inc for attending!

Thank you again to everyone who joined us—we are already looking forward to what’s ahead. Be sure to keep an eye out for our 2027 conferences… exciting things are on the horizon!

03/15/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us this weekend for Behind the Lines: Unsung Women of the American Revolution!

We were thrilled to welcome over 85 in-person attendees and 100 virtual participants, making the conference a tremendous success. It was inspiring to bring together scholars, educators, reenactors, and history enthusiasts to explore the often-overlooked stories of women during the American Revolution.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Debra Najecki Endowment, founded by her husband Roy Najecki, for his generous support, which made this conference possible.

A special thank you to conference organizers Niel De Marino and Dakota Griffin for their work bringing the event together. We are also incredibly grateful to Vivian Davis and Mary Diaman for their help throughout the weekend.

Thank you to Sandy Spector and Michele Gabrielson for opening the conference with their presentation “Affectionate Friends and Humble Servants.” It was a wonderful way to begin the weekend and set the tone for the conversations that followed.

We are deeply appreciative of our outstanding presenters:
Carol Berkin, Nancy Rubin Stuart, Dr. Friederike Baer, Eve LaPlante, Carin Bloom, David Waldstreicher, and Jean Zimmerman, who shared their expertise and helped illuminate the vital roles women played during the Revolution.

We would also like to thank our vendors and partner organizations for being part of the weekend:
• Lady Augusta’s
• Sign of the Golden Scissors
• Newport Historical Society
• Portsmouth Historic Society
• Daughters of the American Revolution – Portsmouth Chapter

And finally… be on the lookout for announcements about our next conference in 2027!

03/03/2026

March 13–15 is almost here, and we are so excited to welcome you to Behind the Lines: Unsung Women of the American Revolution!

Held in the Historic Portsmouth Friends Church located at 11 Middle Road, Portsmouth, Rhode Island this promises to be an incredible weekend!

This powerful three-day conference will shine a light on the women who kept the home fires burning, ran businesses and estates, followed the army, shaped politics, defied expectations, and in some cases, took up arms themselves.

From well-known figures to those long overlooked by history, our final lineup of speakers will explore the depth, complexity, and courage of women during the Revolutionary era. The full schedule is now set, and we cannot wait to gather with historians, educators, reenactors, and history enthusiasts for a weekend of scholarship, conversation, and community.

We are officially in countdown mode — See you soon!

Address

Fort Lee, NJ

Website

http://www.brigade.org/

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