MARBLEHEAD — Witness Marblehead history come to life this Saturday at Fort Sewall as Glover’s Regiment hosts its 35th Annual Summer Encampment. Open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the site will resemble an active 18th-century Revolutionary War camp, with nearly 100 volunteers and historians in colonial dress.
The camp will feature activities and events ranging from conversations with author Patrick O’Donnell to skirmishes down at Gas House Beach in the morning and, if the tide allows, on Gerry Island.
Modeled after 1776 field encampments, this event preserves local history through education while providing fun activities for the whole family. Throughout the day, visitors are welcome to tour the camp, learn history from reenactors, and watch demonstrations from a blacksmith, a gunsmith, and a regimental surgeon. For hands-on fun, attendees can try butter churning, candle making, and children’s drills where kids learn to march using wooden muskets. Craft tables and blanket sales will also be provided in nearby tents.
Kids can join wooden musket marching drills at 10:45 a.m. and 2 p.m., interrupted by cannon salutes at 11 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. The camp closes for a “nooning” lunch break from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. In the afternoon, military action ramps up with a 2:15 p.m. officers’ briefing, a 2:30 p.m. muster, and a tactical battle from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. against British units — the 10th Regiment of Foot and the 16th Queen’s Light Dragoons. At 4 p.m., a cannon salute precedes the Last Man Standing contest, followed by a final 5 p.m. cannon salute and traditional sea chanties.
Author Patrick O’Donnell, who wrote “The Indispensables” about John Glover and his Regiment, will be at the encampment throughout the day.
He will hold a lecture from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at Abbot Hall. In addition to hosting historical experts, this year’s event highlights the Regiment’s partnership with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post. VFW Commander Ronny Knight will be stationed at a tent during the encampment, selling limited edition challenge coins for $20 each (cash only, first-come, first-served).
Following last year’s Spirit of 1776 coin, this year’s design features Washington Crossing the Delaware in honor of the 250th anniversary of America’s founding. A total of 300 coins are available, with the proceeds going directly to local veterans in need.
“It can help a veteran who needs groceries, or it can help a veteran who needs car repair, who can’t afford it,” Knight said.
At the stand, Knight will also have VFW membership forms for any interested veterans. Knight shared that the post likes “to tell the people in Marblehead that it’s their VFW. We’re just the caretakers of it.”
He also added that the public is welcome at the post, further inviting them to join the VFW’s Marblehead Militia, a $25 membership that supports the post and offers perks at the club. Unfortunately, many VFWs in this state are closing because of a lack of interest, and Knight is dedicated to preventing this from happening in Marblehead.
The spirit of preservation extends beyond the VFW, as the encampment is also raising awareness and funds for local charity Save the Glover, which aims to restore General John Glover’s 250-year-old farmhouse. The structure was recently saved from demolition by a coalition led by Nancy Schultz (Swampscott Historical Commission) and members from Salem, Marblehead, and Swampscott.
This preservation effort honors a rich Marblehead history, tracing back to the formation of the original Glover’s regiment, which was formed in 1775 as a local militia under Jeremiah Lee before being taken over by John Glover. Made up of nearly 600 out-of-work sailors and fishermen from Marblehead, the unit became the 14th Continental Regiment under General Washington.
They saved the Continental Army three times. In one instance, Marblehead soldiers used their sailing skills to navigate boats across the icy waters of the Delaware River, allowing for the famous victory at Trenton. Many of the regiment’s original soldiers, alongside General Glover, are buried at Marblehead’s historic Old Burial Hill. To honor this legacy, the modern re-enactment group was formed in 1974. To learn more or support the cause, visit gloversregiment.org.
