Fort Steilacoom celebrates 160 years in Civil War style

JOHN GILLIE; The News Tribune | • Published May 10, 2009

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For some, it was the lure of history retold. For others, it was the camaraderie of people of similar interests, and for still others it was the opportunity to put their thespian skills on display.

History buffs came by the dozens Saturday to Fort Steilacoom dressed in period costumes, carrying vintage weapons and sleeping in simple tents clustered together on what was once a major U.S. military outpost.

Those history aficionados spun wool into yarn, pounded iron into utensils and even re-enacted Civil War skirmishes on the park’s grassy prairies.

All this activity Saturday was in celebration of Fort Steilacoom’s 160th anniversary.

Before that celebration ends at 3 p.m. today, its activities are expected to attract 4,000 to 5,000 spectators, said Shelly Butterfield, event coordinator for the Historic Fort Steilacoom Association. They’ll learn history first-hand from the people who’ve made living in a long-past era an absorbing hobby.

“We’re a fraternity,” Whitman Elementary School second grade teacher Johnny Joyce said referring to the costumed participants in the historic re-enactments that filled Saturday’s schedule. The barefoot Joyce was dressed in a Confederate uniform as he spoke of his interest in wartime history.

“We’re fascinated by history, and we enjoy the company of others who have that same interest,” he said.

Costumed participant Jim Robinson said the history re-enactment hobby also is attractive because it encompasses all ages from youths to grandparents who all can play roles in the mock battles and encampments.

Robinson was brought to the hobby a decade ago after seeing his son’s interest.

On Saturday, Robinson was playing the role of military scout known simply as Spike.

He wore a buckskin vest, and carried a replica of a lever action Henry rifle and a long-barrel Buffalo revolver. It was just one of three roles he’s playing this weekend. A quick costume change would transform him into railroad engineer Bart Casey or gambler Dutch Flatt.

For Monroe bus driver Lyle Gleason, dressed as a Revolutionary War soldier, the fort’s anniversary celebration was another opportunity to indulge his passion for history.

He and his wife each have a two-foot tall stack of history books next to their bed, and 10 book shelves stocked with other history texts.

Their vintage costumes consume about 75 percent of their walk-in closet and a large rack in their garage.

Gleason said the re-enactments provide the spectators at the events a much more vivid picture of moments in history than any textbook could ever give them.

“Give us a room full of grade school students, and I think we’d have no problem getting them excited about history,” he said.

For blacksmith Ray Baker of Olympia was a chance to share the knowledge he gained in 18 years since he started his hobby of being a blacksmith.