7th Annual Civil War Weekend at the Grange
Sayville, NY
September 18 - 20, 2015
Grange 7 kicked off with a televised news conference on News 12 held by the Town of Islip publicizing our event and two donations totalling $54,000 from the John C. Dunphy Foundation and the Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce, to the new Friends of the Grange that will rehabilitate and preserve the historic structures in the park. For the first time, the Friends held their own events concurrent with ours including a free showing of the movie Gettysburg on Friday night and a pig roast on Saturday evening.
Our usual partners returned including (Co. H, 14th Brooklyn, the 10th New York Cavalry, the 9th Virginia, the 30th Virginia, and the Sons and Daughters of Union Veterans). The Florance Drum Company returned as our period Sutler and Miss Vicky Berger returned on Sunday transforming the parlor into a 19th century museum. Larry Moser & Mary Nagin provided period music on Saturday and for the first time in four years, the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Brass Band played at our event.
Sadly, this was our first Grange event without one of its key founders and planners, Brian Niessing, and unfortunately, a last minute illness held back the return of the cannon of the 6th New York Independent Battery however two of their members still attended to help out in our ranks. Plus, we added a new addition to our event, Confederate General A.P. Hill played by local Patrick Falci who also hosted the Friday showing of Gettysburg.
Spellman Studios of Sayville set up shop giving the public the chance to pose in period clothing. We also must thank several members of the public for contributing such excellent shots of the event for this year's album.
