Troop and Sutler Letter

It is our great pleasure to extend an invitation to you for our 28th Hope Lodge Encampment on November 7 and 8, 2009. This is the 232nd Anniversary of the 1777 Whitemarsh Encampment. In 1777, the Continental Army was encamped near what is currently the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s historic site, Hope Lodge, from November 2 to December 11. During that six-week period, Hope Lodge served as the headquarters of General John Cochran, Surgeon General for the Middle Division of the Continental Army. Based on surviving records, it is evident that Whitemarsh Estate (Hope Lodge) was the medical headquarters for the Army throughout the encampment.

Please help us to celebrate this historic event, not only in our nation’s history, but also in the history of Hope Lodge. The Encampment will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm each day. As part of the activities for the weekend, we plan to stage skirmishes utilizing earthworks (redoubt and lunette) as well as demonstrate other facets of colonial history and everyday life. If you, or anyone coming with you, would be willing to share expertise during the weekend with demonstrations or presentations on various 18th century topics, (e.g., clothing, textiles, military life, military tactics, 18th century medicine, coopering, transportation, manners, just to name a few), please let us know.

Hope Lodge is a forty-two acre site, so ample space is available for campgrounds. Water, straw, firewood and toilet facilities will be provided. Free doughnuts and coffee will be available to all registered participants 8-10 A.M. each morning. Refreshments and baked goods will be sold during regular operating hours. The Friends of Hope Lodge will continue their tradition of hospitality by inviting all participants to join them on Saturday evening in the Hope Lodge Barn for beverages and snacks in appreciation of the tremendous time and energy you give to our Whitemarsh Encampment Re-enactment.

We need to know as accurately as possible how many participants will be attending, so that we may provide for everyone. Please complete and return the enclosed registration paperwork to us as soon as possible in order to have your unit’s name, or your business, included in our Encampment program and our press release materials. The deadline to return your application, signed rules and regulations agreement and certificate of insurance is October 10, 2009. The paperwork may be mailed, faxed, e-mailed, or completed in electronic form on our web site. If you do not have a copy of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Black Powder Manual, please let us know; we gladly will send you one for your review.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your interest and support of Hope Lodge. We look forward to seeing you in November!

Sincerely,