Putting Down The Whiskey Rebellion

A legion of soldiers will be stepping out of the history books and into our backyard as interpreters recreate the unit that was called upon to defend Gen. John Neville’s Bower Hill mansion during the Whiskey Rebellion.

The re-enactors will demonstrate marching drills, tactical maneuvers and how to fire a musket during Legion Drill Day at .

The recreation of Wayne’s Fourth Sub-Legion will take place Sunday afternoon at the historical home along Washington Pike in Collier Township. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children and free for kids under 6.

The unit’s re-enactors are based at Woodville and conduct periodic historical demonstrations to show visitors what army life was like in 1794 when the Whiskey Rebellion began. Musicians will play military fife and drum music during a flag-raising ceremony with the soldiers.

Even the younger visitors in attendance may get involved in the demonstrations. Some children will be asked to “sign-up” for the army and will be allowed to participate in the marching drills with the soldiers.

Gen. John Neville’s house on nearby Bower Hill was burned to the ground in 1794 during the Whiskey Rebellion, prompting the federal government to send troops to the area to quash the uprising.

For more information about the event, go to www.woodvilleplantation.org or call 412-221-0348.