The history of Revolutionary War reenacting in Arizona began back in the late 20th century with a gentleman who portrays General George Washington and later with the founding of We Make History in 1999. By 2002 we were holding historic balls in Arizona set during the American Revolution and in 2003 we held our first annual American Heritage Festival in Queen Creek, Arizona. As part of the planning for that auspicious and visionary event we organized the first Revolutionary War reenacting group in Arizona history and held the very first Revolutionary War encampment and Revolutionary War battle reenactment in Arizona as well. In the years since we have grown, expanded and now boast the Royal Welch Fusiliers, Grenadiers of the 1st Foot Guards, Jaegers of Hesse-Kassel and Loyalist Militia of the British Army and the Virginia Line of the "Continental Line", Continental Marines and Patriot Militia of the United States Army as well as a number of specific historic personalities. Our American Heritage Festival continues to be THE event for Revolutionary War reenacting in Arizona and the West and our 12th annual will be held in November 2014. By that time we expect to be able to field 100 Revolutionary War era living historians, both soldiers and civilians, representing and reenacting both the British and American sides of the American Revolution. Our first annual American Liberty Festival which was held in both Phoenix and Tucson in 2013 and was a tremendous success as the first ever educational living history event in Arizona to be focused entirely on the American Revolution. Over 60 Revolutionary War reenactors participated! Continued growth in numbers, quality and authenticity are all part of our bright future as we continue to develop Family Friendly Revolutionary War reenacting in Arizona and beyond. We are learning, serving and growing together!
Yes, we are recruiting more reenactors and living historians to portray the American Revolution in Arizona and you may contact us here for details.
Portraying the Royal Welch Fusiliers (23rd Regiment of Foot, 23rd of Foot, 23rd Foot, 23rd Welch) is an honour. This fine regiment fought up and down the North American Continent from 1775 to 1781 throughout the entire course of the American Revolution. The 23rd was present at the initial actions of Lexington and Concord in the Spring of 1775, fought in battles ranging from New England to the Carolinas over the next 6 1/2 long years, and finally surrendered at Yorktown with Lord Cornwallis in the Fall of 1781.
The regimental collect (prayer) of the Royal Welch Fusiliers is as follows.
Eternal God, whose strength raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, uphold, we pray, the ancient valour of The Royal Welch Fusiliers, that we may endeavour hardness after His example and may rise with Him to shine as the sun in Thy Kingdom, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A few photos are posted below which we trust you will enjoy. Many more are forthcoming.
The Royal Welch Fusiliers (23rd of Foot), 1st Foot Guards Grenadiers, Jaeger Korps of Hesse-Kassel & Loyalist Militia
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