2018 Battle of the Red Horse Tavern Reenactment
Join us for the Battle of the Red Horse Tavern Reenactment on October 27, 2018 at the historic Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts. NOTE: This event will not be held in 2019. Each year, the Redcoats and Minutemen return to the grounds of the Red Horse Tavern (now named the Wayside Inn) to “battle for control of the key spot of the Boston Post Road.” Be here to witness the Battle of the Red Horse Tavern Reenactment which features several hundred reenactors from all over the region portraying American, British and French soldiers from America’s War for Independence as they engage in two different battle scenarios for the public on the ample grounds of Longfellow’s Wayside Inn.
Battle of the Red Horse Tavern Reenactment
Start the day by listening to colonial music, talking with reenactors, visiting with sutlers, observing cannon firing demonstrations and more. Then watch as the Colonial and British armies engage in a fictional battle for control of the Red Horse Tavern.
Eighteenth century taverns were important in the Colonies as a place to hear the news and other current events, engage in commerce, conduct militia drills and provide respite for weary travelers. The Red Horse Tavern, sitting along the Boston Post Road, the major east-west route to and from Boston and New York, was crucial in that anyone or anything travelling into or out of Boston to/from the west would have to pass by its door. Which ever side controlled the Tavern could control the flow of supplies, troops and information.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Hours: 11:30 am – 4:00 pm
Parking: In the designated parking area for the reenactment.
For more information contact colonel@sudburyminutemen.org.
The Battle of the Red Horse Tavern Reenactment is sponsored by the 4th King’s Own, the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute and our hosts at the Wayside Inn.
About Longfellow’s Wayside Inn (Red Horse Tavern)
Longfellow’s Wayside Inn, a nationally significant Massachusetts Historic Landmark, is the oldest Inn still operating in the United States and has been serving travelers along the old Boston Post Road for almost 300 years. What began as a two-room home in 1707, the Howe family ran a successful tavern and innkeeping business on this site from 1716 to 1861.
From its Colonial roots as an important stagecoach stop, to Henry Ford’s historic preservation of the property as a living museum of American history from 1923 to 1945, the Wayside Inn offers a unique experience of history. The Inn is the perfect backdrop for your own memory-making occasions, as well as a unique casual touring and educational destination.
Part of the Wayside Inn Historic Site, Longfellow’s Wayside Inn offers informative exhibits as well as atmospheric dining and guest rooms for the visiting public. The Inn serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner to compliment your exploration of the property’s 125 scenic acres.
Our Reenactor Friends
The Inn appreciates the involvement of the following community organizations who regularly come to the Inn either for historic activities, special events, or to work with the Inn on special projects such as the Battle of the Red Horse Tavern Reenactment.
The Sudbury Companies of Militia & Minute are historical interpreters of the Colonial Period, specifically for the American Revolution during 1775 in Sudbury, Massachusetts. They preserve American heritage and educate the public through reenactments, performances, speaker events, a monthly muster, a Colonial Faire, parades, and other educational, fun events.
The Fourth Middlesex Regiment is a living history group dedicated to public education about the Revolutionary War era (1770–1780). Closely affiliated with the Sudbury Companies of Minute and Militia, the Regiment has held re-enactments on the Wayside Inn property.
The King’s Own Regiment is a group of living historians portraying the lives of His Majesty’s Light infantry soldiers and their families during the American War for Independence. They were one of only two Companies of British Infantry on Lexington Green and then at the Old North Bridge in Concord we suffered the first British casualties of the war. Visit their website www.kingsown.net
The Sudbury Ancient Fyfe and Drum Companie is a teaching fife and drum corps dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of the musical traditions of early America. During the summer months, the corps performs at 8PM on Wednesday evenings on the lawn outside the Inn for guests, and year-round the Ancients perform in parades, reenactments, fife and drum musters, and other events large and small around the Massachusetts and greater New England area. In conjunction with the Sudbury Companies of Militia & Minute, the corps hosts the musical portion of the annual Colonial Faire & Muster held on the Inn’s grounds on the last Saturday in September, which features over 20 fife and drum corps throughout the afternoon.
The Molly Cutthroats is a group of female reenactors focusing on women in the 18th century. These woman did such a wide variety of things and we want to bring this richness to our hobby. From learning to use weapons to defend our homes, to researching and portraying women as they were in all ways of life, we hope to bring a more vibrant and realistic portayal of women to the Revolutionary War re-enactment hobby.
The Old North Bridge Hounds is one of 11 hunt clubs in New England. ONBH is registered with the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA), and is run in accordance with the standards and guidelines of MFHA. ONBH engages in drag hunting, not live foxhunting. While the hunt is based on the traditions, etiquette, and dress of foxhunting, the people who comprise this group are relaxed and informal; they love horses, hounds, the outdoors, and a good time.
Mark your calendar so you don’t miss the next Battle of the Red Horse Tavern Reenactment at the historic Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts.
Tags: Battle of the Red Horse Tavern Reenactment, Revolutionary War Reenactment, Organizers, Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute, Sudbury Ancient Fyfe and Drum