We are a private volunteer-based organization composed of
individuals, re-enactors and community organizations dedicated to
preserving the Civil War History of the battles of Monterey Pass,
Fairfield Pass and
the Emmitsburg and Waynesboro Turn Pike. Our mission is to aid community
organizations and helping with the historical and recreational
resources to gain the public's support through interpretational
programs such such as lectures, journalism and living history. We are
now adding more living history programs in order to show the public
about the different aspects of the American Civil War.
Emmitsburg
Civil War Historian John A. Miller
was asked to create a website for the purpose of supporting the
forgotten action of Monterey Pass and the community of Fountaindale.
We also decided that Fairfield Pass should be part of this website and
the original Maria Furnace Road, both of which are on private
property. Also General Lee's most trusted staff officer Lt. Colonel
Walter H. Taylor made his summer home here after the Civil War.
Some of our ideas in the future are to establish a Civil War
Roundtable, where we can talk about Monterey Pass. We will also
include more living histories at Rolando Park and lead tours of the
Monterey area to those who did not make the Gettysburg Tour Guides
walk.
Although we focus on the Civil War aspect of the area history, that
is not the only
significant part of history. The area is home to Fort Ritchie which
is now deactivate. Fort Ritchie played an important role during both
Worlds Wars and also during the Cold War. Because of this fact, we are now
helping to add more military living history programs such as the average soldier of World War Two
and the Cold War in order to
show the public about the different aspects of our American heritage.
Mining and the railroad played an important role in the area
history as well. Copper was one of the rich minerals that was mined
during the late 1800's. Also the resort era of the big Hotels and
Mansion style summer homes which were used during the summer months by
bureaucrats from Washington, Baltimore and also Norfolk. This was done
in part of the railroad that came to the area. During the Depression
of 1929 and tragic fires, the area began to see a decline of
bureaucrats coming to the area, thus ending the resort era.
We are seeking groups that portray Civil War period soldiers for
the Monterey Pass Living History. We want to demonstrate the life of
an average soldier of the American Civil War and the equipment he used
during the Gettysburg Campaign. With Fort Ritchie now a prime topic
among the community, we are now seeking World War Two re-enactors
weather your American or German to participate in any activities held
within Fort Ritchie. Also we are also looking for other organizations
who offer different time periods of American History that would be
interested in participating and it doesn't have to be military either
for families to enjoy it. If your unit is interested in participating
in our annual Living History, please email us. We are always looking
for living history groups.
