Fort Massac Encampment brings frontier history to life

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

METROPOLIS, Ill. (KBSI) — Military camps, cannon fire and conversations with reenactors give visitors a firsthand look at early American life during the 52nd annual Fort Massac Encampment.

The free event, held Oct. 17-18 at Fort Massac State Park, features military drills, mock battles, traditional music, period food and craft demonstrations.

For reenactor Lance Woolbright, the weekend offers an opportunity to explore history beyond what students learn in class.

“For me, it’s a lot of teaching the public what the history was,” Woolbright said. “You know, they learn so much in school, but there’s a lot of it that they can’t touch on in a little bit of time that they have in school.”

Participants portray people from the 18th and early 19th centuries, including military units associated with the French and Indian War, the American Revolution and the War of 1812.

Reenactor Jim Phillips says the event’s mock battle brings participants representing different periods onto the same field to demonstrate similar military tactics.

“But the tactics of the time were very similar. And so they do like one grand battle,” Phillips said. “So people can kind of see how the tactics worked and everything, and it seems like everybody enjoys it.”

Phillips has participated in historical reenactments since 1983. His interest has also led to family road trips, museum visits and continued research.

Woolbright became involved through scouting and smaller events. He says his unit includes members from several states, including Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Both encourage visitors to talk with reenactors and ask questions about the people and periods they represent.

For Phillips, sparking even a small interest makes the effort worthwhile.

“If they can fulfill one little thing of curiosity, then we have done our job on history so we don’t forget,” Phillips said.

The annual encampment concludes Sunday.