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Encampment 2007
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"And then you grab your partner and..."
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"It's Burning"
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19th Century Hats
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A Peach of a Morning
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A Stitch in Time
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A Visit with the HBC
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A Window on the Past
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Admiral and Lady Baynes with Young Admirers
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And Another Thing...
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| NPS Photo |
| The 1860s Color Guard representing the park and the Battery Foundation march from the blockhouse during the first Encampment in 1998. Still active members include Park Ranger Ron Garner (far left), Chris DeStaffany (second from left) and Oren Combs (second from right). |
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| NPS Photo | | The Union flag is raised at English Camp during the August 1998 ceremony commemorating the gift of an 80-foot flagpole by the poeople of the United Kingdom. |
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For more than 10 years, re-enactors from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada have been gathering to celebrate peace each August on the English Camp parade ground.
The annual Encampment – this year it’s Encampment 2008, scheduled July 26-27 - commemorates the peaceful joint occupation of San Juan Island by British and American forces from 1859 to 1872, and final, peaceful settlement of the Northwest Boundary dispute.
Throughout the joint occupation the garrisons exchanged visits to celebrate holidays that included Christmas, the Fourth of July and Queen Victoria’s birthday. Typically the men would participate in athletic contests, imbibe in spirits and other refreshments and usually host a dance to which the community was invited.
The Encampment tradition was renewed in 1998 on the occasion of the dedication of English Camp’s 80-foot flagpole, a gift to the park by the people of the United Kingdom. The event drew nearly 600 people to the parade ground, including distinguished guests and officials from both nations.
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| Stuart Goodin Photo |
| The original living history contingent poses during the first Encampment in 1998.In the first row (from left) are Michael Cohen, Wendy Johannes, Sam Watkins, Noel Monin, and Cecil Demeerleer. Visible at rear are John Harper, Tim Watkins, Oren Combs, Patrick Haas, David Funk, Simon Sherwood, Derek Rouse, Dennis Burich, Rick Galer and Jim Meredith. Also present were Ron Garner,George Jameson, Doug McDuff, Ted Leche, Chris DeStaffany, Shannon Plummer, Kyle Davies, Jim Gover, Dave Williams and Karen Haas. The photographer was Stuart Goodin. |
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| NPS Photo | | Tim Watkins, an attorney from Maple Ridge, BC (third from left), and his son, Sam (far right), having been coming to English Camp since the flagpole ceremony of 1998. Others in this 1999 photo (from left) are Don Thomas of Victoria, BC, Glenn Smith of Topeka, KS, and Parks Canada Ranger Bob Campbell from Fort Rodd Hill near Victoria, BC. |
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“Our 80-foot flagpole had been rendered unsafe by, of all things, yellow jackets that had over the years eaten away the base of the pole,” said Mike Vouri, chief of interpretation, who has worked at the park for more than 12 years. “When the National Park Service network office in Seattle said there was no money to replace the pole, we worked with the then British consul in Seattle, Michael Upton, to raise the necessary funds, which totaled nearly $16,000 for a new pole and installation.”
The campaign included a visit to the island by pipers and drummers from the Queen’s Own Scottish Borderers army regiment then training at Fort Lewis, near Tacoma, WA. However, knowing the campaign could take years, Upton applied for a grant from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
“I was in my office and the telephone rang,” Vouri recalled. “It was Mike Upton. He said, ‘Are you seated?’ As it turned out his request was approved – more than $12,000 in U.S. money. The National Park Service then anted up the balance for installation. I asked Mike how we could demonstrate our appreciation and he said, ‘Simple, let's have a party just like the old days.'
“And that’s what we did and what we’re still doing!”
Then as now, partner re-enactors came from Fort Langley, Fort Rodd Hill, Vancouver, New Westminster, and Esquimalt, BC; and Fort Nisqually, Fort Steilacoom, and Fort Vancouver. WA.
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| Mike Vouri Photo |
| The Canadian contingent in 2006 on the occasion of their march from American Camp to English Camp. Tim and Sam Watkins are at far right. |
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| NPS Photo | | Lt.Col. Hank de Jager, RM, and British Consul Mike Upton lay a wreathe at the Royal Marine cemetery. Five Royal Marines are interred and one memorialized in the fenced plot on the slope of Young Hill. |
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The ceremony featured a U.S. Navy Band in crisp white uniforms, two historical bands—an American pipe and drum unit and kilted pipers from the Delta Police Pipe band from Delta, BC—tents occupied by American and Canadian living historians and speeches by Upton, Vouri, then-Superintendent Robert Scott, NPS Pacific West Deputy Regional Director Bill Walters, Washington Secretary of State Ralph Munro (proud of his Scots heritage in kilt) and Lt. Col. Hank de Jager of the Royal Marines.
De Jager was the first Royal Marine on official duty at English Camp since the joint military occupation contingent departed in November 1872. De Jager was delighted by all he saw preserved at the site, most especially the living history element.
“Credit really goes to the people who bring history to life with re-enactments,” de Jager told the Journal of the San Juan Islands. “When kids get to see guys in uniforms, acting out the roles of the past, it really brings what can be a dry subject to life.”
In his remarks, Upton drew upon larger themes, pointing out that the new pole symbolized not only the history of the Pig War, but also the history of modern diplomacy.
“The lessons of diplomacy are found right here,” he said, observing that the peaceful resolution of the boundary question was one of the first territorial disputes between major powers settled through binding arbitration.
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| NPS Photo |
| “The lessons of diplomacy are found right here,” said British Consul Mike Upton during the first Encampment in 1998. |
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| Mike Vouri Photo | | Clint Cannon (left) and Ken Morgan have been regular participants of Encampments portraying Rear Adm. R. Lambert Baynes, RN and Lt. Col. Silas Caey, USA, respectively. |
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After the ceremony punch and cake was served to participants, special guests and visitors alike under the Bigleaf maples that symbolize the timelessness of English Camp. A contingent then marched up to the Royal Marine cemetery on the slopes of Young Hill where Upton, Munro and de Jager laid wreathes on the graves of six Royal Marines left behind.
Over the years the event continues to celebrate peace in the form of re-creations of mid-19th century Royal Marine Light Infantry and U.S. Army camp life, demonstrations of music, blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, sewing and cooperage and carpentry, along with the pageantry of period uniforms in scarlet and blue.
Highlight of the weekend is the Candlelight Ball, usually scheduled at 8:00 p.m., in the English Camp barracks. The public is invited to join in the dancing and enjoy the now traditional traditional cake and punch. Music is provided by the folk group Sugar on the Floor.
Since 1999, the weekend has kicked off with a performance of The Life and Times of General George Pickett at 8 p.m. Friday at the San Juan Community Theatre and Art Centre. Call the theatre box office at (360) 378-3210 for tickets.
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| Mike Vouri photo |
| Michael Murphy (left) and Oren Combs (an Encampment original) race to concoct a 19th century meal during Encampment's annual Cast Iron Cookoff, one of the most popular events in Encampment's 10-year history. Combs is the manager of Friday Harbor's Front Street Ale House. He has been instrumental in developing the cooking activity and is a founding member of the Battery D Foundatrion, which supports Encampment and other park interpretation programs. |
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| NPS Photo |
| NPS Volunteer Dave Williams waits for his mates to help him break camp at the end of a long day of celebration in August 1998. |
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Encampment 2008 Poster
Download the Encampment 2008 poster as a souvenir and reminder of the event.
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The Pig War
The Pig War is a tongue-in-cheek term for a boundary dispute that almost led to war.
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The blockhouse at English Camp
English Camp's blockhouse never fired a shot in anger during the 12-year joint occupation.
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The 2008 Summer Program Schedule
From living history to nature walks, the 2008Summer Program Schedule has something for everyone.
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