VMHC’s ‘Living History Weekend’ brings American Revolution to life in Richmond
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Museum of History and Culture (VMHC) came alive on Saturday, with "living history" demos allowing visitors to immerse themselves in American history.
During "Living History Weekend" -- which runs on Saturday, Nov. 15 and Sunday, Nov. 16 -- VMHC visitors can take a step back in time. Historical characters, played by interpreters, can be found and interacted with throughout the museum.
"Meet more than 50 living history interpreters who will share the diverse perspectives, motivations, and experiences of the many individuals — American, British, German, Indigenous, and enslaved — who shaped the struggle for independence during this momentous year," the VMHC said.
Our 8News crew visited on Saturday and got a glimpse at how the VMHC brought the past into the present.
"Living History Weekend" at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond. In this photo, visitors stand near a recreation of the tent George Washington slept and worked in during the Revolutionary War.(Photo: William Berksteiner/8News)
"Living History Weekend" at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond. (Photo: William Berksteiner/8News)
"Living History Weekend" at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond. (Photo: William Berksteiner/8News)
"Living History Weekend" at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond. (Photo: William Berksteiner/8News)
"Living History Weekend" at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond. In this photo, visitors stand near a recreation of the tent George Washington slept and worked in during the Revolutionary War.(Photo: William Berksteiner/8News)
"Living History Weekend" at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond. (Photo: William Berksteiner/8News)
"Living History Weekend" at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond. (Photo: William Berksteiner/8News)
"Living History Weekend" at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond. (Photo: William Berksteiner/8News)
"Living History Weekend" at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond. (Photo: William Berksteiner/8News)
"Living History Weekend" at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond. This photo shows a recreation of the tent George Washington slept and worked in during the Revolutionary War.(Photo: William Berksteiner/8News)
One unique experience visitors can enjoy during Living History Weekend is the "First Oval Office Project" -- a hand-sewn, full-scale recreation of the tent George Washington both slept and worked in while leading the American troops during the Revolutionary War.
Additionally, visitors can view live demonstrations of musket firings, historical medicine, battlefield tactics and more.
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"Often, we think [that] 250 years ago was a really long time -- it's sometimes hard for us to remember and think about how these people lived," said VMHC's director of public programs, Sam Florer, on Saturday. "They were people just like you and me. They were average folks that led these complicated lives, war was full of hardship ... so it's a great opportunity to focus on the 'human' factor of the American Revolution."
The majority of this event, which is a part of the VMHC's 250th initiative, can be experienced with general admission.
For more information, click here.
