The Bayside Historical Society hosted Company K of the 67th NY Infantry’s Civil War re-enactment, with attendees learning from them about what life was like for the soldiers.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Company K of the 67th NY Infantry partnered with the Bayside Historical Society to hold a Civil War Living History event on Sunday, Nov. 1, at Fort Totten Park in Bayside.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
This free event allowed attendees to explore all facets of life for Union soldiers and in 1860s America.
The Bayside Historical Society has hosted this event since 2019. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Company K of the 67th NY Infantry Secretary Max Kenny noted that the Long Island-based group has been performing Civil War re-enactments at Fort Totten Park since 2019.
Company K of the 67th NY Infantry Secretary Max Kenny. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
“We put up a small camp to kind of give everybody an idea of what life was like as a Civil War soldier at the time,” Kenny said. “We even have a hospital, so you can learn about what happens when they get sick or get injured. And we also have a musket collection. We have stations filled with everyday items that soldiers would use.”
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Members of the 67th NY Infantry taught attendees about the soldiers they portray, including their state of mind, how they ate, dressed and fought, as well as how they endured the Civil War.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
“The main purpose is to show life during the Civil War for soldiers. Many soldiers came from this area, and there were also camps here for both the United States Colored Troops and for the other regiments that went into battle,” said George Munkenback, who was part of the re-enactment as a chaplain and Civil War surgeon. “A hospital setup would be something that the soldiers would be familiar with, and to show what Civil War diseases and the changes in medical procedures. It gives them a perspective on the history, because most people don’t know anything about the medical history, which has changed radically. Even in the last few years, you don’t realize how fast we have gone from what basically was Greek and Roman medicine through the revolution and almost through the Civil War, forcing many, many changes. Most of our specialties come today from surgeons who were Civil War soldiers, and they learned a lot.”
George Munkenback (right) was among the re-enactors, providing info on surgical methods used on wounded soldiers during the Civil War. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
“It’s a living history aspect of the Civil War,” Bayside Historical Society Executive Director Brita Kube said. “The great thing about this exhibit is that you can ask questions and speak to the reenactors, and they stay in character, and you can ask them mundane things like what did people eat and how did they sleep or you can go to the surgical tent and ask about the care that was given to soldiers. There are artifacts that you can touch and demonstrations to show how things were done. It’s really wonderful.”
Bayside Historical Society Executive Director Brita Kube. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud