Arts & Entertainment

Riversdale Set to Celebrate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812

Their annual Battle of Bladensburg Encampment will mark the 200th anniversary of the war against the British.

To mark the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, towns across the nation are celebrating their war history.

Aaron Marcavitch, Executive Director of Anacostia Trails Heritage Area, said the anniversaries of both wars could lead to nearly 250,000 tourists travelling to the region.

In Riverdale and the surrounding area, their stake is the Battle of Bladensburg during the War of 1812. Although the British defeated American troops which led them into Washington to burn the city, a few weeks later the momentum switched in the Americans favor in Baltimore and the Star-Spangled Banner was born.

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Tuesday night will mark the opening of this region's celebration with a .

But on Aug. 13, Riversdale will celebrate with their annual Battle of Bladensburg Encampment, when reenactors will tell the story of the war on the grounds of the mansion. The actual battle happened a few miles away in Bladesburg.

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Yet, Rosalie Calvert, mistress of Riversdale, wrote about the war in her diary.

“You have heard the news of the battle of Bladensburg where the English defeated the American troops with [President James] Madison ‘not at their head, but at their rear," she wrote in her diary as reported by mansion historians. 

From noon to 4 p.m., visitors can watch and interact with reenactors who will portray both American and British troops on the eve of the battle.

Children can make crafts and dress-up and there will be kicthen demonstrations, live music and dancing. 

The event is free and house tours are also available at a small cost.


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