Live Firearms Civil War Black Powder Shoot Demonstration Opens Quabbin Civil War Remembrance Day on July 4

Environmental Police Officer Terry Whitney

Live Firearms Civil War Black Powder Shoot Demonstration

Opens Quabbin Civil War Remembrance Day on July 4

Environmental Police Officer Terry Whitney of Hardwick will open the Quabbin Civil War Remembrance Day on Wednesday, July 4 at 9:30 am at the Orange Gun Club with a live firearms Civil War Black Powder Shoot demonstration.  The Orange Gun Club, located at 357 West River Street in Orange, was established in 1884 and is the oldest chartered gun club in Massachusetts.

Officer Whitney will demonstrate live firearms techniques, in the club’s 200 yard rifle range, used by the cavalry and infantry during the Civil War with a single-shot, muzzle-loading, rifled musket, a Sharps rifle as well as a cap and ball revolver.  Keith Fiske, the club’s safety coordinator, will hand out free ear plugs to spectators for the event.  

Templeton Reenactment - Henshaw Farm

Following the live firearms demonstration, at 11:00 am Officer Whitney will display an array of antique fire arms and lead a discussion on military weapons and tactics of the cavalry, infantry and artillery used by both the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War.  A game stew and chicken Bar-B-Que will follow at 12:30 pm with live music provided by Ken Levine and friends.  Civil War demonstrations and a Living Heritage Farmer and Artisan Market will also be featured.

Field Headquarters - Templeton Reenactment

Tributes to those who participated in the Civil War will begin at 2:00 pm at the Orange Town Hall’s Ruth B. Smith Auditorium at 6 Prospect Street, Orange.  Two doors up from the Town Hall, at the Orange Historical Society & Museum, 41 North Main Street, a Tea will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and at 5:00 pm a dinner and “Tin Type Show and Tell.” 

And on Saturday, July 7, the World Premier of “Lincoln: The Musical” by Michael Riccards and directed by Genevieve Fraser will open at 7:00 pm at the Orange Town Hall as part of the 150^th Civil War Anniversary observances. Additional performances are scheduled for Sunday, July 8 at 2:00 pm, on Saturday, July 14 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, July 15 at 2:00 pm.  

The Civil War Reproduction Quilt Contest quilts will be hung from the balcony of the Ruth B. Smith Auditorium from July 4 to the close of "Lincoln: The Musical" on July 15.  A reception for the quilters will be held at 6 pm at the Orange Historical Society, following the final Sunday matinee performance.  All events are free and open to the public; however, there will be a charge for the Bar-B-Que as well as the Historical Society tea and supper.

Individuals wishing to participate in the Civil War tributes, perform Civil War musical tributes, or sell wares as part of the Living Heritage Farmer and Artisan Market should contact Genevieve Fraser, the Civil War Remembrance Coordinator, at Tel. (978) 544-1872 or email: FraserGenevieve@gmail.com. Tickets for the Civil War Bar-B-Que can be reserved by emailing: Bellas-Dad@hotmail.com, or calling Mark at Tel. 978-467-6076.

 “Lincoln: The Musical” is sponsored by the Drama Circle, the Performing Arts Division of Art for Life - CF Pals, and is funded, in part, by Heyes Forest Products, the Miller’s River Café and a grant from the Orange Cultural Council.   

Photo Credits: Genevieve Fraser