"Tennessee John" Croteau from outside Chattanooga walks between rows of camps at the primitive rendezvous held at Bennett Meadow in Northfield and organized by the Northeast Primitive Rendezvous Association, Sunday, May 28, 2017.
"Tennessee John" Croteau from outside Chattanooga walks between rows of camps at the primitive rendezvous held at Bennett Meadow in Northfield and organized by the Northeast Primitive Rendezvous Association, Sunday, May 28, 2017. Credit: Recorder Staff/Matt Burkhartt—Matt Burkhartt

By MIRANDA DAVIS

Recorder Staff

NORTHFIELD — As Suzi Day sat in her tent and recounted memories of her children growing up at rendezvous like the one she was at on Sunday, she waved to passersby, seeming to know everyone at the event.

“There’s a sense of family,” she said of those who attend reenactments in New England.

Day and her husband were at the original Northeastern Primitive Rendezvous held in Northfield this year, allowing local re-enactors and visitors a chance to learn more about history.

The historical period being reenacted runs from the Revolutionary War through 1840. Living history re-enactors come and set up their tents only with period pieces. That means no kerosene lamps or matches, because neither was in popular use at that time.

The event was held in Bennett Meadow, and was mostly primitive and authentic outside of latrines and clean water, both of which were considerations made for safety.

The rendezvous is in its 29th year, and rotates sites around New England. Many participants have been involved since the beginning.

Sunday afternoon was open to visitors to ask questions and tour the site. The full rendezvous runs seven days, from Wednesday to Wednesday.

Shelia Reynolds, one of the re-enactors who was hosting period-correct musical lessons for children, said it’s a hands-on way to connect kids to another time period.

“It gives you a chance to live the life of the time period,” she said.

Bob Berry, a member of the event’s steering committee, said the visitors’ day serves as a way to attract younger audiences and hopefully get them interested in reenacting. Berry said with technology and other hobbies, young people are not getting involved the way they used to.

He said the reenactments are a way to learn about history outside of a classroom or a book.

“We’re basically a living history, so we research and develop a persona from the time period,” Berry said.

Erica Heilig and her son Aiden came to Sunday’s event from nearby Gill.

“It’s really interesting, the kids can be more hands on,” she said. “It’s not like a store or a museum.”

Reach Miranda Davis
at 413-772-0261, ext. 280
or mdavis@recorder.com
Twitter: @mirandardavis