Shrewsbury – Saturday, Oct. 1, as part of the Spirit of Shrewsbury festivities, the Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library and the Artemas Ward Museum are co-sponsoring a free program of music and history at the Artemas Ward House at 786 Main St. in Shrewsbury.
Enjoy a tour of the historic barn once owned by General Artemas Ward, observe a reenactment of Revolutionary War camp life with the 64th Light Infantry Company, and listen to the music of the 1800s with a performance by the Heritage String Band.
Starting at 1 p.m.,a reenactment of British soldiers from the American Revolutionary War period will be held. The Light Infantry Company of the 64th Regiment of Foot is an American Revolutionary War re-enactment group that portrays the light infantry company of a regiment of the British Army in the 18th century. The company will demonstrate equipment used and army life during the time of the American Revolution. Camp followers will demonstrate civilian camp life. Soldiers will discuss military history and be available to answer questions.
From 2 to 4 p.m., the Heritage String Band will be playing music from the 19th Century, including popular songs and dance melodies of civilians and soldiers of the early, mid and late 1800s. Performers in period costume will provide information on the background of each piece, enabling the audience to gain a rich perspective on the vibrant music of the 1800s. The performance will include narrations and rich vocal harmonies with banjos, guitars, fiddle, drums, tambourine, accordion, tin whistle, harmonica, spoons, washboard, jaws harp, and bass fiddle. The free concert is provided by the Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library.
The event will be held under a large tent, rain or shine, on the back lawn of the Ward House. Free refreshments will be provided the Friends of the Shrewsbury Library.
