Staging a Revolt

A slice of Colonial American life will be presented this weekend at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, where battle reenactments and costumed troops will highlight a look at the Revolutionary War.

The Revolutionary Weekend, which will run Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is being touted as a way for adults and children to learn firsthand the lifestyle of people who lived more than 200 years ago.

“It’s a perfect opportunity for kids because history books can seem dry and dusty,” said Mark Hunt, the library’s director.

“This is the kind of thing people go to Williamsburg [Pa.] to see, but now they don’t have to travel so far.”

The itinerary will be the same both days, and the highlight will be when muskets and cannons boom on the library’s west lawn during a reenactment of the 1775 skirmish at Lexington, Mass., between U.S. soldiers and British Redcoats.

That battle signaled the start of the Revolutionary War, which lasted from 1775 to 1783.

The reenactments, which visitors can view from a terrace, will be performed by the Brigade of the American Revolution, an international historic association that was founded in 1962 and is dedicated to re-creating the war and its soldiers and civilians.

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The group has 5,000 members who have performed for six U.S. presidents and four foreign heads of state and have provided the honor guard for the Queen of England and the Prince of Wales.

“The Brigade hopes to perpetuate the memory of the founders of the United States of America,” said library spokeswoman Terry Saucier.

While cruising the grounds, take time to peek inside a tent and talk to a soldier and his family, Hunt said.

A portion of the association’s members will help re-create colonial life by portraying townspeople who will demonstrate spinning and weaving, crafting and dancing.

There will be displays of women’s costumes, authentic tools of the time and educational materials used to teach children to read and write.

The use and operation of 18th century artillery will be discussed and displayed, along with reenactments of actual battles.

“It’s really a palatable, fun lesson in history,” Hunt said. ‘

‘You will be able to talk to these folks about what life was like at that time.”

Authentic pieces as well as replicas of items from the era, including a tea box and flintlock guns, will be on display in the museum, which along with the library will be open during the weekend event.

Lectures and discussions about colonial dress and the difficulties of supplying the Army during the war will be held in the museum’s auditorium.

In the courtyard at 12:30 p.m. each day will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Although the library has an annual Fourth of July celebration and once hosted a Civil War exhibit and reenactment, this presentation is the first of its kind for the facility, Hunt said.

The decision to stage the event came from the library’s parent organization, the National Archive. Those officials wanted to underscore the importance of the Constitution, Hunt said.

The two-day event follows national Constitution Day on Friday.

People who want to sign a copy of the Constitution and receive a free copy of it, as well as to meet George and Martha Washington impersonators and have a slice of cake, can do so for free Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the library, Hunt said.

The cost of the weekend event is $5 for adults; $3 for 62 and older; free under 15.

The price includes admission to the museum. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and soda will be for sale.

The library, at 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley, can be reached by taking the Ronald Reagan Freeway east and following the signs.

Call (800) 410-8354 for more details.

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Tip of the Week: The 1999 California Beach & Music Festival will be held all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the promenade in Ventura and will include multicultural food, live music, a children’s area and sporting events, including a surfing competition.

Air Major, a Frisbee dog champion, will also perform.

The cost is $10 for adults, $4 ages 3 to 12, under 3 free.

Tickets are available at ETM ticket machines at selected Hughes, Vons/Pavilion or Gelson’s/Mayfair supermarkets or by calling (888) ETM-TIXS [8497].

Ideas for Jaunts can be forwarded to holly.wolcott@latimes.come.