Educating with a bang
Article author Jessica Steensland and her daughter fire the Cascade Civil War Society canon at the Fort Klamath Museum on Saturday. (Image: Garrett Steensland)
The art of blacksmithing is shown in the formation of a chain link. (Image: Garrett Steensland)
FORT KLAMATH, Ore. - This past Saturday, canons rang loud as reenactors from the Cascade Civil War Society set the stage at the Fort Klamath Museum, reminding people of the times when the world was a much different place.
“We remember the American past for the American future,” stated Tom Cooley, one of the original founders of the Cascade Civil War Society. “There’s a saying that goes, those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. Plus, we enjoy teaching history.”
As you pull into the compound, several booths flank the parking lot. These stations included examples of an infirmary, blacksmithing, infantry, homemakers, and canons. Milling around the camp were women in big dresses and men in uniform. Upon close examination, subtle differences could be spotted in a few of the soldiers in uniform. A few feminine faces can be seen wearing a combat uniform.
“Back then, women used to dress as men in order to fight,” says one reenactor.
A visitor getting a tour and explanation of a Civil War era medical infirmary. Image: Garrett Steensland.
For over 25 years, the Cascade Civil War Society has been devoted to keeping the history of the American Revolution alive. They gather a few times a year to complete their mission to represent and educate the reality of a former era. A reality that has slowly dwindled out of our minds as time passes.
Youth and adults of all ages are encouraged to participate in the event’s main attractions.
The event is a fundraiser for the reenactors and the museum. A raffle was available with many different prizes, as was a chance to purchase an opportunity to fire the canon with a “bank for your buck.”
“Before we left the event, I knew we had to fire that cannon,” said author Jessica Steensland. “It was cool because my daughter and I could do it together. She steadily set the primer. 3,2,1, fire! Our full bodies pulled back on the string that ignited the ordinance. The massive boom sent shock waves through our hair. It was an experience I’ll never forget.”
According to Cooley, roughly one hundred people a day usually go to these Civil War reenactments when they’re available to the public.
There is always something to learn when attending this type of event, and the Cascade Civil War Society genuinely hopes to see more people getting excited about spending a moment in history.
