fall 2010 newsletter black jack battlefield

The day was June 5, 2010, the time was 11:00 a.m….that was when the Battle of Black Jack was reenacted for the first time since the smoke cleared in 1856! What would John Brown, Captain Shore, and August Bondi have made of such an event? What would Henry Clay Pate have thought? Judging by the hundreds of people on the grounds that were there to witness and be a part of this historic event, many people thought it was just grand! Thanks to Shane Seley, Black Jack Battlefield board member, and his Emmy Award winning film production company, Wide Awake Films, Black Jack Battlefield’s first reenactment of the battle went off without a hitch. Although, without the involvement of Thom Weik, T.J. Bruegger, and some of the region’s best 19

th century living historians, none of

this would have been possible. With Black Jack Battlefield’s very own Kerry Altenbernd as “Old” John Brown, and our new friend, Greg Higginbotham as Henry Clay Pate, the audience was first wowed by their lively introduction to the battle. Then the spectators watched as the battle began to unfold! Afterward, in the Maple Grove, visitors could meander through an actual encampment that was set up for the weekend where the life of a civilian camped out on military duty was depicted from the tents to the coffee beans. Accuracy was specifically important to the reenactment team coordinating the effort. “We’re fortunate to have some of the region’s top authorities on the unique material culture of this time period interested and involved in this event. We couldn’t have pulled it off without them.” Shane Seley said. Also on site were many period demonstrators, musicians, as well as vendors that had items for sale. Food and drink was available as well as a special visit from nationally renowned wet-plate collodion photographer, Robert Szabo. He demonstrated this method of 19

th century photography. We were

pleased to have him as part of our event.

Save the date for 2011 !! The 2

nd Annual John Brown’s Battle at Black Jack

…dawn of the Civil War will take place on June 4, 2011. Gate opens at 9 a.m. There will be three reenactments, with a complete line-up of entertainment, history, and fun for the whole family. Tickets will be $8 for adults and $1 for children 3-12 years. Under 3 years free. Also…. June 3, 2011 Lamplight Tour

Take a lamplight tour of a 19th

century living history camp! Reservation required. Tickets are $15 each. Arrive by 8:00 p.m. June 2, 2011 Dawn at Black Jack

Be on the battlefield the same date and time as the actual Battle of Black Jack. An awesome experience! Admission is free, but donations appreciated. Arrive by 4:30 a.m. We hope to see you there!

FALL 2010 CONFLICT ERUPTS AT BLACK JACK AGAIN!

Black Jack Battlefield & Nature Park “follow in the footsteps of old John Brown…….”

Black Jack Battlefield & Nature Park is located just 3 miles east of Baldwin City, Kansas

1/4 mile south of Hwy 56 on E 2000 Road

163 E 2000 Road in rural Douglas County, Kansas

[email protected] www.blackjackbattlefield.org 785.883.2106

The popular nature trail at Black Jack has a beautiful new footbridge thanks to the Westar Green Team. The trail had previously stopped at the far southern end of the property due to a large ravine on the west fork of Captain's Creek. The new bridge has now allowed the completion of the full loop of the trail. A new trailhead is now open directly behind the Robert Hall Pearson House. The extended trail winds through a particularly scenic part of the property. Many thanks to the Green Team for the sturdy bridge. Thanks also to Stan, Carol and Larry for their help in completing the new section of the trail. Karl Gridley

GATE PROJECT UNDERWAY Lawrence blacksmith Kate Dineen has gotten the ball rolling on the gate project for the Black Jack Battlefield & Nature Park. The gate will help welcome visitors and commemorate the Battle of Black Jack. The design of the gate incorporates symbolism taken from the battle itself as well as the tranquility and natural lay of the land. Van Go Mobile Arts students along with other artist blacksmiths from as far away as Canada and England are working on this project. A fundraiser is currently underway to help with the costs involved. Hand forged leaf shaped key chains are being sold for $20 to raise money.

WE ARE BUSY!

NEW FOOTBRIDGE AND TRAIL SECTION NOW OPEN

AT BLACK JACK NATURE PARK

New footbridge for the Black Jack nature trail ~Thank you Westar Green Team !

Kate Dineen, Blacksmith

Give the gift of the Black Jack Battlefield & Nature Park

for the Holidays !!

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Black Jack Memorial Fund Proposed

The Black Jack Battlefield Trust has established a memorial fund to which donors may contribute in memory/honor of a friend or loved one. Donations will be utilized to help fulfill the mission of the Black Jack Battlefield Trust. Checks should be sent to: Black Jack Battlefield Trust, P.O. Box 44, Baldwin City, KS 66006 and designate "Memorial Fund". Please include your name, address, and phone and the name of the loved one being honored. The name of the person being honored will be printed in the newsletter, and be listed on the website, as well as the name of the donor (if desired). All contributions to this fund are tax deductible.

Gifts available

Give a gift of Membership Benefactor - $ 1,000 Patron - $ 500 Sustaining - $250 Supporting - $100 Contributing - $50 Individual - $35 Student/Senior - $10

Give a gift from our gift shop

*Blacksmith gate project hand forged leaf shaped key chain

$20

*John Brown Commemorative throw $25

*Photograph note cards

$15

*John Brown Commemorative mug $5

*Music CD – „Sword of the Spirit‟ by Magpie $15

See the “Gifts of Black Jack” order form for item photos/details & how to order.

~ Volunteers are needed ~ Tour guides :: greeters/docents :: help clean up on “work days”

[email protected] www.blackjackbattlefield.org

Our most heartfelt thanks go out to each and every one of you who has contributed in so many ways, so generously, to our efforts! The Black Jack Battlefield & Nature Park has come this far because of concerned preservationists like you!

The Black Jack Battlefield Trust

Fall 2010

WWW.BLACKJACKBATTLEFIELD.ORG

[email protected]

“follow in the footsteps of Old John Brown….”

Black Jack Battlefield & Nature Park

P.O. Box 44

Baldwin City, KS 66006

Contact info:

P.O. Box 44

Baldwin City, KS 66006

785.883.2106

fall 2010 newsletter black jack battlefield

Documents

black jack jack battlefields

black jackwe hope

annual john browns battle

time period

footsteps of old john

historic event

new friend

history thanks