Revolutionary War
1775-1783

Program Objectives

    The program objective is to educate students on the life and times of Americans and explain the differences among the American Militiaman, American Continental Soldier, and the British Soldier during the War for American Independence and allow children the opportunity to interact with reproduced items.

Program Materials

• Short Land Pattern (Second Model) "Brown Bess" British Musket (.75 caliber)
• weapon accouterments (British Battalion Cartridge Box and three-sided, fluted, bayonet and leather frog and scabbard for the above weapon)
• British sheepskin backpack (with various equipment inside)
• British enlisted man's tricorn hat
• 43rd Regiment of Foot British Regimental Frock Coat
• ubiquitous white, linen small clothes (waistcoat or pronounced "weskit", fall-front breeches, and common-white stockings)
• civilian brass-buckle shoes
• wooden "rumlet" (sometimes used to carry water)
• American rifleman's hat

Outline

    The program consists of explaining to the class the reasons why the Revolutionary War took place and how Americans felt about the situation, the average soldier's living conditions, how and why soldiers fought one another, information on local events (Battle of Great Bridge, December 1775 and Battle of Yorktown, October 1781), and a complete demonstration of how the musket works. During the program, students will have opportunities to model the uniform and equipment and facilitating the presenter with the program.

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