Visitors join re-enactors from across the Pacific Northwest and Canada in folding the Union Flag during Encampment 2014. Encampment 2015 is scheduled July 25-26.
Re-enactors from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada will once again celebrate peace as they gather for the 18th Annual Encampment scheduled Saturday and Sunday, July 25-26 on the English Camp parade ground.
Encampment 2015 is free. Disabled persons should call the park at (360) 378-2240, ext. 2226 or 360-378-4409 (summer only) for special access information.
The weekend-long event includes recreations 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. Black powder rifled musket demonstrations and the firing of a 12-pound mountain howitzer also are planned both days.
Saturday (July 25) activities will culminate in the Candlelight Ball, scheduled at 8 p.m., in the English Camp barracks. The public is invited to join in the dancing and refreshments that will include the traditional cake and punch. Music for contra dancing will be provided by the Pig War Band.
As it has since its inception in 1998, Encampment commemorates the peaceful joint occupation of San Juan Island by British and American forces from 1859 to 1872, and final settlement of the Northwest Boundary dispute. This seemingly innocuous event nearly escalated into hostilities between elements of the U.S. Army and the Royal Navy on San Juan Island between July and October 1859. The crisis was quelled thanks to the restraint of Royal Navy officers on scene and the negotiating skills of Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott, commander of the U.S. Army, who made the six-week trip from New York City to the West Coast. Shortly after Scott re-embarked for the East, the two nations agreed to a joint military occupation of the island. The Americans elected to remain at their camp on the island's Cattle Point Peninsula while Royal Marines established their camp 13 miles north on Garrison Bay.
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. For more information about Encampment 2015, call (360) 378-2240, exts. 2229 or 2227; or e-mail mike_vouri@nps.gov, or e-mail us.
All black powder demonstrations will be done with blank cartridges on a controlled range under strict NPS safety standards.
The firing of the 12-pound mountain howitzer by Battery D is always a big hit with Encampment visitors. The gun is fired when the colors are raised and lowered each day.
