Henricus Militia Men Featured on Travel Channel’s Church Secrets and Legends

Posted on April 17, 2014 by admin

© 2014 The Travel Channel, LLC; a subsidiary of Scripps Networks, LLC

Militia Men Ron Blackburn (pictured left) & Dennis Strawderman (pictured right) were featured in Travel Channel’s Church Secrets & Legends. They were casted in the second part of the show which depicted the Salem Witch Trials.

Another church mystery hit directed by Kevin Hershberger from LionHeart Films. The episode aired Sunday, March 16th, 2014. This episode reveals the true story of the Salem Witch Trials which took place in Salem, Massachusetts.

Dennis did a marvelous job of playing Reverend Samuel Parris. Ron Blackburn was equally amazing with his steely-eyed glint, playing Minister Nicholas Noyes.

You can view a clip of the show on The Travel Channels website: www.travelchannel.com/video/salem-witch-trials
For more info visit www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/church-secrets-and-legends

Visit LionHeart Film Works at www.lionheart-filmworks.com/

or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/LionHeart-FilmWorks/212209212135231

Anniversary of the March 1622 Virginia Indian Offensive 2014 Event

Posted on March 27, 2014 by admin

Henricus Historical Park commemorates the anniversary of the 1622 Virginia Indian offensive which destroyed Henricus. Perspectives of both Virginia Indians and Colonists were explored at the event and a granite commemorative marker donated by the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Virginia was unveiled.

Wreaths were laid by the Order of the Indian Wars of the United States; National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Virginia; Virginia State Society Colonial Dames of the XVII Century; Jamestowne Society; Order of the Founders and Patriots of America; Virginia Chapter National Society Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America; Society of Mayflower Descendants in the Commonwealth of Virginia; and Huguenot Society of Virginia.

Wayne Adkins, assistant chief of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe and member of the Henricus Foundation Board of Trustees also give remarks.

To see more images please visit the Henricus Militia Photo Gallery of all our events.

For more information visit www.henricus.org or on facebook at Henricus Historical Park

Historic Jamestown Settlement Military Through the Ages 2014 Event

Posted on March 27, 2014 by admin

Some of the Henricus Citie Militia men visited the Jamestown Settlement’s “Military Through the Ages” event which marks its 30th anniversary in Virginia.

Military re-enactors took visitors through the centuries during Jamestown Settlement’s “Military Through the Ages” event on Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16. The chronological display, from the eighth century A.D. through modern times, marked its 30th anniversary.

For more information visit www.historyisfun.org

or visit them on facebook at Jamestown Settlement / Yorktown Victory Center

The Bloody Mary Trilogy Sketch Painting

Posted on December 4, 2013 by admin

This color sketch of a painting in the works by the artist Wallace Jones, will grace the cover of the third volume of the Bloody Mary trilogy once completed.

The book, scheduled to be completed by Christmas, will be action packed just like the rest.

The three books in this series are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the pirate queen’s exploits, with more volumes in the offing if these are successful.

The hand painted portrait of Bloody Mary

Posted on November 7, 2013 by admin

Inspired by the story and images Dennis Strawderman has taken for his upcoming book, Bloody Mary and the Pirates of the Coast, artist J. Wallace Jones painted a portrait based on a photograph which was taken at the exquisite Virginia House at Agecroft Hall in Richmond, Virginia. Jones forever captures the fiery soul who is only known as Bloody Mary.

Under the pseudonym Frances Morgan, Dennis starts the first book in the trilogy covering the early years of the legendary pirate Bloody Mary and her reign of terror in Bloody Mary and the Pirates of the Coast.

In his second volume, Bloody Mary and the Brethren of the Coast, we follow the infamous female pirate into an even more dark and adventurous path. At the dawning of the Golden Age of Piracy, Bloody Mary blazed a path of death and destruction from the colony of Virginia down the Atlantic coast straight into the Caribbean.

We have yet to hear about volume 3 which is still in the works. All of the books will soon be available in Kindle and soft cover formats on amazon.com.

Henricus celebrates 400th anniversary of war between the Appamatuck Tribe and English colonists

Posted on November 7, 2013 by admin

The Henricus Militia was mentioned in an article recapping the 400th anniversary of war between the Appamatuck Tribe & English colonists event on November 2, 2013. The event, which proved successful, showed many visitors what life was like in the 1600s.

“During the re-enactment of an Appamatuck war council, visitors gained an understanding of the impact of the conflict on the tribe. The Appamatuck used English iron tools and other trade goods, but the settlers took valuable tribal lands and used women and children for work in the tobacco fields. The tribe didn’t have the advantage of leaving the area because it was surrounded by enemies: the Monacan to the west, and the Iroquois to the north and south. ”

Click here to read more…

The Midlothian Day Parade and Haunted Henricus 2013

Posted on October 16, 2013 by admin

The militia will be representing Henricus Park for the Midlothian Day Parade Saturday, October 19th at 9:00 am.

The Militia will also be attending the Haunted Henricus: Things that Go Bump In the Night event on Thursday October 17th & 18th, 2013.

This will be the third straight year the Henricus Militia has represented Henricus Historical Park in the Midlothian Day Parade (see photo gallery at midlothiandayparade.org/Photo Gallery).

Sir Thomas Dale will parade through the village riding in a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom open tourer along with several other Militia members tossing out loads of tasty candy for all the little ones.

The car, provided for the event free of charge by A Royal Wedding Limousine Service, located in Richmond, Virginia, winds back the hands of time almost 100 years, a quarter of the period of time from when Henricus was first settled. In 1907 a Rolls-Royce car completed a 14,371 mile virtually non-stop run, creating ‘the best car in the world’ legend that has stuck with the car ever since.

No doubt had Sir Thomas Dale one of these cars at his disposal in 1611, the man would have driven it all the way to the Pacific Ocean before stopping.

A Royal Wedding Limousine Service is a new company in the Richmond area filling the need for the bride and groom seeking the most memorable wedding drive away and photo shoot experiences at prices comparable to regular limo services.

For more info on the 2013 Midlothian Day Parade visit www.midlothiandayparade.org or on twitter @MidloParade

For more info on Haunted Henricus visit the Facebook event page facebook.com/events/1379177172304857 or visit www.henricus.org

To contact A Royal Wedding Limousine Service, please call (804) 334-8140

A recap on Publick Days 2013 at Henricus Historical Park

Posted on September 28, 2013 by admin

We enjoyed great weather on Friday evening for the Henricus Militia’s cannon firing upon the occasion of the arrival of the Godspeed from Jamestown. As usual the ship arrived on time, circled below the waiting crowd on the bluff firing off a signal shot as she turned and creating a magical start to the weekend.

When we ran out of cannon powder Mike Bell fired off his musket to start the evening’s festivities. The rain held off until the end of the day on Saturday with well over thirteen hundred visitors in the park.

The cannon firing, musketry, and armor demonstrations were a great hit with the park visitors who also participated in the Militia’s reenactment of a 17th century trial. After the rain on Saturday night, Sunday turned out to be a perfect day as well.

Ron Blackburn and Paul Carter set up a period tent in the fort with pennants flying off the top and Lara Brooks cooked great food for the Militia on both days. Mathias Brooks donned a full suit of armor for the first time and took a promenade around the park with his own personal bodyguard. Huzzah to the many members of the Henricus Militia who helped make the weekend a great success.

The excellent event photos presented here were taken by Jim Byrd and we thank him. There are many more to come as well.

To view more photos from the Publick Days 2013 event visit our image gallery.

Publick Days 2013 is almost here at Henricus Historical Park

Posted on September 13, 2013 by admin

Henricus Historical Park will commemorate its anniversary during Publick Days, a signature annual event which celebrates the establishment of the second successful English settlement in the New World.

publick.days.feat.godspeed.from.jamestown.settlement — Godspeed from Jamestown Settlement

“Visitors to Henricus will be transported back in time through encounters with more than 100 period-dressed historical interpreters portraying 17th-century life in re-created English and Virginia Indian settlements.

Activities planned for Publick Days include living history re-enactments;

English and Virginia Indian weapons demonstrations
craftsmen and blacksmiths
17th-century medicinal demonstrations
Virginia Indian and Colonial songs and dance
hands-on educational activities and crafts for families; storytelling
food and craft vendors, and more.

On the bluff overlooking the James River, re-enactments will explore the military history of Dutch Gap from 1781 to 1917.

Both days of the event 17th-century ship replica, Godspeed from Jamestown Settlement, will be docked at Henricus. Godspeed is a re-creation of one of three ships which transported America’s first permanent English colonists to Virginia in 1607. The ship’s crew will demonstrate Colonial maritime skills and examine the historic significance of Godspeed.

On Sept. 23 and 24, Henricus will offer “Living History” group tours of Godspeed and the outdoor living history museum. Tours are 2.5 hours in length and $16/ person. Reservations required by Sept. 22 by calling (804) 318-8797.

A reception will take place for Henricus Foundation Patrons on Sept. 20 to welcome Godspeed from Jamestown Settlement. ”

The Publick Days Event will take place on September 21-22 at 10:00am at Henricus Historical Park in Chester, Virginia. Map it! http://goo.gl/maps/dsLT1

You can join this event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/141314636077769/

Henricus Militia Commander Dennis Strawderman featured in Hopewell News Reflections Mag celebrates 400th

Posted on August 23, 2013 by admin

The Hopewell News & Patriot, the community newspaper in Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Prince George, Fort Lee, Chester and Enon Virginia has released its monthly supplement publication, Reflections: Past, Present, Future for August 2013.

Featured on the cover is none other than Henricus Citie Militia commander, Dennis Strawderman, for the cover story “Hopewell Turns 400.” Strawderman portrays Sir Thomas Dale, a soldier of the late 16th and early 17th centuries who served England in the United Netherlands against Spain, who first settled City Point 400 years ago and who was one of the prominent men in the foundation of the Jamestown Colony.

Caitlin Davis, Senior Staff Writer for the Hopewell News & Patriot, covered the story for “Hopewell Turns 400” — thoroughly detailing all the changes in Hopewell over the past decades. The article also describes the harrowing tales of early settlers who risked everything to find opportunities in the new world.

To read about this fantastic coverage of local history visit Reflections: Past Present Future at http://issuu.com/lminews/docs/ref2013/

To learn more about 17th century Virginia history reenactments, visit the Henricus Historical Park at www.henricus.org