2019 Battle of New Orleans Reenactment at Chalmette Battlefield
History comes to life at the annual Battle of New Orleans Reenactment on January 11-12, 2019 at the Chalmette Battlefield near New Orleans, at Chalmette, Louisiana. Each year over 150 living history re-enactors come together to commemorate America’s victory over the British in this final major battle of the War of 1812. Battle of New Orleans Reenactment events are held at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park – Chalmette Battlefield and include demonstrations such as cannon and musket firing and campfire cooking.
Battle of New Orleans Reenactment at Chalmette Battlefield
One of the most amazing things about the Battle of New Orleans is the amount of different people and military groups from different races, social classes, languages, and backgrounds who came together to protect their country and their way of life. This is easily seen throughout the encampments set up at the Battlefield during the Commemoration.
The majority of the Battle of New Orleans Reenactment events take place during the day from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. with special events on Friday and Saturday nights. Friday night is a re-enactment of one of the skirmishes leading up to the Battle (‘on-site’ at 7 p.m. at historic De La Ronde Oaks).
Remember the Battle of New Orleans at Chalmette Battlefield, the very place where it happened. Meet the American and British troops who fought one of the most significant battles in world history and the civilians who kept the home fires burning in New Orleans. Enjoy period music, watch cannon and musket firings, participate in hands-on activities, and listen to the stories of the men and women of 1815.
Battle of New Orleans Reenactment Events:
Friday: Note that there are no activities scheduled ‘on-site’ for Friday. HOWEVER, At 7 p.m. on Friday, visitors can witness Gen. Andrew Jackson’s surprise attack on the British in the re-enactment of the Dec. 23, 1814, night battle. This will take place at the historic De La Ronde Oaks just down the highway from the battlefield. The event is presented by the Louisiana Living History Foundation and hosted by St. Bernard Parish.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Living history experts dressed as civilians and troops from 1815 demonstrate military drills, fire cannons and muskets, perform period music, and share life in 1815 via hands-on activities, games, and craft demonstrations. Free.
Monday 9:30 a.m.: Annual wreath-laying ceremony honors the troops of the Battle of New Orleans at Chalmette Monument. Park at the battlefield (8606 West St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette). Battlefield and visitor center open 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Free. You can camp overnight on Sunday and participate in the wreath-laying ceremony at Chalmette Monument on Monday morning.
[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”How to Participate in the Battle of New Orleans Reenactment”] To participate in Chalmette Battlefield events, complete the online application by the December 15 deadline. You must apply if you want to be:
- A living history reenactor in a period encampment (day camp or overnight camping)
- A Battle of New Orleans University presenter / performer / demonstrator
- BOTH. You can apply to be a living history reenactor AND a presenter / performer / demonstrator, but you must fill out BOTH the living history reenactor application AND the presenter/performer application.
Living History (non-combatant) Participants: You don’t need to apply to participate in the Battle of New Orleans Reenactment as a living history reenactor if you simply want to attend Battle of New Orleans events at Chalmette Battlefield, either in period dress or in “civilian” clothes. The park looks forward to seeing you however you’re dressed!
MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PORTRAYALS
Living history units and individuals representing participants in the Battle of New Orleans and the civilians who supported them are welcome to apply to participate in activities at Chalmette Battlefield. Sorry, no horses are allowed at Chalmette Battlefield events.
On the British side, appropriate units to represent include the 4th, 7th, 21st, 27th, 41st, 43rd, 44th, 85th, 89th, 93rd, and 95th Regiments of Foot, the 1st and 5th West India Regiments, the 14th Light Dragoons, British general staff, Royal Artillery, Royal Horse Artillery Rocket Troop, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Engineers, and Royal Sappers and Miners. Other groups may also be appropriate; be sure to describe your unit on your application.
On the American side in the Battle of New Orleans Reenactment, appropriate units include the 7th and 44th US Infantry Regiments, Light Artillery Corps, US Marines, US Navy, 1st US Dragoons, Jean Lafitte’s Baratarians, Hinds’ Mississippi Mounted Rifles, First and Second Free Men of Color Battalions, the units making up Plauché’s Battalion, Beale’s Rifles, Jugeant’s Choctaws, and the Louisiana, Tennessee and Kentucky militias. Other groups may also be appropriate; be sure to describe your unit on your application.
Reenactors representing civilians of the period are also welcome. Be sure to describe your portrayal on your application.
Historic Authenticity
Every reenactor should strive for and maintain historic accuracy and authenticity in period dress and accoutrements, character role portrayals, and demonstrations. Any determination made by park staff on historic authenticity and appropriateness is final.
The Battle of New Orleans Reenactment at Chalmette Battlefield attempts to recreate a hastily-assembled military camp on both sides. Stay faithful to the impression you are portraying. Historic authenticity standards will be observed and in effect during event hours on Saturday.
For More Information about historic authenticity:
Contact Park Ranger Ron Merrill, ron_merrill@nps.gov, 504-382-4914.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
Camping: Registered participants may camp overnight at period camps
For More Information about the applications, contact Park Ranger Kristy Wallisch: kristy_wallisch@nps.gov or 504-382-0296.
Battle of New Orleans Reenactment Schedule[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Friday”]
9:00 a.m. – battlefield and visitor center open to the public.
Period camps may be set up beginning at 9:00 a.m.
4:00 p.m. – battlefield and visitor center close to the public.
Registered participants may camp overnight at period camps.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Saturday”]
7:00 a.m. – battlefield opens to living history reenactors, presenters / performers / demonstrators, and park staff.
8:30 a.m. – all living history reenactors on battlefield and ready for day; all non-NPS vehicles off the battlefield
9:00 a.m. – battlefield and visitor center open to public.
9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. – Living history encampment, Battle of New Orleans University programs featuring speakers, craft demonstrations, hands-on activities, music, etc. Be sure to indicate on your application if you would like to participate in or lead Battle of New Orleans University activities. Be sure to indicate on your application if you would like to participate in cannon and musket firing throughout the day.
3:00 p.m. – battlefield and visitor center close to the public.
The park is currently working with the community theatre group that is presenting the Lantern Tour to determine start and end times for their event. The theatre group will definitely begin set-up no earlier than 4:00 p.m. but other logistics are still under discussion.
If you plan to camp overnight on Saturday night, the park will be in touch about what to expect during the Lantern Tour (your wishes, ideas, and comments are welcomed too!). The park will provide security for your campsite on Saturday night during the Lantern Tour.
Registered participants may camp overnight at period camps[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
Battle of New Orleans Reenactment at Chalmette Battlefield
January 8: Annual Wreath-Laying Ceremony
9:00 a.m. Annual wreath-laying ceremony honors the troops of the Battle of New Orleans at Chalmette Monument. Park at the battlefield (8606 West St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette). Battlefield and visitor center open 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Free.
[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”PERIOD CAMPS, PETS, SLEEPING, AND VEHICLES”]
- Period camps must be set up no later than Friday, and must stay in place through 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Period camps may be used
as sleeping quarters or be for day use only. Historic authenticity standards will apply to period camps. Note that you or your unit may apply to participate in battlefield events even if you do not apply for a period camp. - Overnight camping at Chalmette Battlefield is only allowed for registered living history participants in period camps.
- Camp locations will be as follows: American camps will be set up along Battlefield Road. British camps will be set up on the battlefield (not the Mississippi River) side of the Malus-Beauregard House. Civilians will be assigned appropriate areas depending on their portrayals.
- There will be camp facilitators assigned to period camps. The camp facilitators will be the go-to people for all questions and problems; if they can’t answer a question, they’ll know who can.
- Parking for participants may be a bit complicated due to the Lantern Tour and Jackson Day Race, but the park will make it as easy as possible for you. You will not be able to park at the battlefield Saturday 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. during the park event or Saturday. 4:00-10:00 p.m. during the community theatre Lantern Tour. On Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.,
shuttles will provide transportation between the battlefield and participant parking in Chalmette National Cemetery. - For those looking for a hotel room, check the accommodations listings in St. Bernard Parish or at the New Orleans Convention and Visitor Bureau website
- For those looking for RV and camping accommodations, there are several state parks in the Chalmette/New Orleans area; visit the Louisiana State Parks website. Visit New Orleans CVB website for commercial campground information.
- No pets will be allowed on the battlefield on Saturday, January 6. Pets may not be left unattended in vehicles in the parking area.
- National Park Service rangers will be in charge of emergency services during the Battle of New Orleans anniversary event. Registered participants will receive information about on-site emergency services, who to contact if emergencies arise, and an emergency number to leave with friends or family if they need to reach you during the event.
[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion] [su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”FOOD AND DRINK”]
- Free hot and cold drinks and light snacks will be available for registered living history participants, park volunteers, and park staff on Saturday.
- Rations for campfire cooking will be the responsibility of participants. Registered living history participants will be reimbursed for rations at the rate of $7.00 per person.
- No alcoholic beverages may be consumed on site during Battle of New Orleans Reenactment hours.
[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion] [su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”SUPPLIES”]
- The park will provide drinking water, portable toilets, dry firewood, and bedding straw.
- The park will provide all black powder to be used at the battlefield. Do not bring black powder to the battlefield grounds (see Historic Weapons and Black Powder information).
[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
Location
The Chalmette Battlefield
8606 W. St. Bernard Hwy
Chalmette, LA 70043
(504) 281-0510
Parking
Parking is available at the St. Bernard Parish Government Complex, 8201 West Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, Louisiana. There will be shuttles to take you to and from the park.
For More Information
About reenactor applications, contact Park Ranger Kristy Wallisch: kristy_wallisch@nps.gov or 504-382-0296.
About historic authenticity for reenactors: Contact Park Ranger Ron Merrill, ron_merrill@nps.gov, 504-382-4914.
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Battle of New Orleans Reenactment on the second weekend of January at the Chalmette Battlefield in Chalmette, Louisiana.
Tags: Battle of New Orleans Reenactment, Chalmette Battlefield Reenactment, Chalmette Plantation, Battle of New Orleans Commemoration, Battle of New Orleans Anniversary