SHERBURNE – The 61st Regiment Civil War Reenactors, displaying a wide array of the era’s artifacts, will once again camp out in Sherburne’s Historic Park on School Street, as local residents prepare to celebrate Heritage Day on Saturday.
According to Sherburne Town Historian Rose Wellman, the annual event has expanded this year to include a special presentation by the group at 7 p.m., Thursday, at the Chenango County Historical Society Museum, 45 Rexford St. in Norwich, followed by an Ice Cream Social.
In addition, Wellman said the reenactors will offer a “special salute” to Captain Isaac ‘Ikey’ Plumb, Jr., a Sherburne native who was killed by a confederate sharpshooter while serving the Union during the Civil War, which will take place at 5 p.m. on Friday at the Civil War Monument adjacent to the United Church of Christ in downtown Sherburne.
Local Cub Scout Troop 66, celebrating 100 years of scouting, will officially kick off Heritage Day in Historic Park and perform the flag raising ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, in front of the historic schoolhouse, according to Wellman, who added the scouts’ anniversary brought a “special significance” to Heritage Day this year.
She also said that, prior to the annual event’s official opening ceremony, the 61st Regiment will hold its traditional cemetery salute, between 8:30 and 9 a.m., following which the Sherburne Historical Society, from the porch of the log cabin, will host a bake sale and offer free coffee.
There will be a number of events and activities throughout the day for residents of all ages, stated Wellman, including Cathy Weinell, “in her schoolteacher role,” with workshops and play from 11 a.m. to noon, in the historic schoolhouse for children ages 5 to 12, and a noon presentation by Esther Doty on Civil War clothing.
Local residents Pat and Bob Kane will follow at 1 p.m. to discuss the myriad covered bridges they have documented, now included in the National Historic Register, said Wellman, and Sherburne Historical Society Ed Aley will display his collection of antique milk bottles, compiled from a number of different area dairies and farms.
But that’s not all, according to the town historian.
“Throughout the day there will be free coupons and giveaways from local merchants and Gilligan’s Island will have a food concession stand,” stated Wellman, who added music will be provided by the Northeast Classic Car Museum’s calliope, also known as a steam organ or steam piano, and there will be “demonstrations and displays of blacksmithing, maple syrup, Monte Bennett’s Indian artifacts, crafts, Shawn and Carrie Kelly’s Rainbow Bridge and a collection of antique tractors.”
Wellman also announced that the Smyrna Historical Society will “be joining us for the first time this year,” and local crafter Leta Card “will be spinning wool” while the Smyrna Knitters will demonstrate “how we use fiber every day.”
In addition, both Wellman and Greene resident Robert O. Richter will have their respective books for sale – Wellman’s focuses on the history of the Plumb family in the area while Richter’s concentrates on “the many soldiers who fought in the 114th Regiment during the Civil War,” according to Wellman.
Those in attendance will also have a chance to peruse the artwork of Henry Grant Plumb, brother to Captain Isaac Plumb and a local artist in his day and age. The Chenango County Historical Society will also have a number of Plumb family artifacts to share.
Boy Scout Troop 66 have been tapped to close out the event, and Wellman said a candlelight service, at 8 p.m., will be held “in celebration of 100 years of scouting.”
For more information on Heritage Day, contact Wellman at 647-4027.