By Jenna Kersten ’16
The annual Day of Living History brought volunteers and professional reenactors to campus to share their love of history. On display were 18th century toys and games, live firing demonstrations from the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War and Civil War reenactors.
Students from the history club began planning for the event during the fall semester. They contacted the reenactors, advertised the event, planned the logistics and notified the campus and neighbors about the sounds of cannon and artillery.
“The organizers had the opportunity to manage and execute a large event and to see how important it is to approach the study of the humanities in a different way,” Francis Butler ’15, History Club president, said.
The day culminated with Pat Mantle ’12 showcasing his documentary, “Reliving the Warrior Spirit.” The thesis film was created for his MFA in Documentary Studies and Production program at Hofstra University. The film connects the experience of current American veterans with those of the American Revolution through involvement with living history and reenacting.
“The Day of Living History brings the stories of our past to life and invites people to interact with their history in dynamic and living ways. It takes the distant past and makes it real,” Butler said.
During the event the History Club also honored Karl Barbir, Ph.D., professor of history, with a Lifetime Achievement Award and Fr. Dan Dwyer, O.F.M., Ph.D., professor of history, with the 2015 Professor of the Year Award.
The Siena College History Club organized this year’s Day of Living History with support from the McCormick Center for the Study of the American Revolution and the history department.
