2022 Britain's Symposium in Gettysburg (1 Viewer)

[Louis Badolato]

This weekend, I attended the Britain's Symposium in Gettysburg. When we arrived Thursday afternoon, we did a guided battlefield tour with a terrific guide named Rich, focusing on the 14th Brooklyn at Gettysburg, one of only two regiments who fought on all three days of the battle. On Friday morning, My Son Alec attended the workshop, where Ken and Erika Osen taught the participants how to build a Britain's Diorama:

 

[Louis Badolato]

Here is a photo of the diorama Ken and Erika taught my son Alec to construct:

 

[Louis Badolato]

On Saturday there were several excellent speakers. My favorite was the Marine Education Officer who spoke about the development of Marine uniforms from the first continental marines in 1740 (a war against the Spanish over a Spanish warship cutting off a British merchant captain's ear) through WWI. He had samples of several of the uniforms he spoke about, with weapons and field kit:

 

[Louis Badolato]

On Sunday, one of the other speakers, who had spoken about camp life during the Civil War, and quoted from dozens of firsthand accounts in Soldiers' letters and diaries, and who was the curator of the Seminary Museum, took us all on a tour of the museum, including the attic and the Cupola, where we had an amazing view of the battlefield:

 

[Louis Badolato]

At the banquet on Saturday night, I was fortunate enough to be seated with a nice couple, the wife of whom, Juanita, mentioned she had a couple of real period children's uniforms she wanted to sell, a Civil War child's Zouave jacket and vest (gilette) and an 1876 Marine Band child's tunic made by a government contractor for the Centennial Celebration, because there was a child's honor band that marched with the Marine Band. I immediately paid her cash and she brought the uniforms Sunday afternoon. Erika Osen, an expert on antique textiles, had her eyes light up as soon as she saw the Zouave uniform. She recognized the fabric as being real Civil War period cloth that was used by military contractors to make these uniforms, thereby authenticating the Zouave uniform as actually being made during the war, or being cut from a real uniform and sewn for a child after the war. Either way, I am just blown away!

 

[Terp152]

Very cool weekend Louis! Would have loved to have been there. Gettysburg and a WB symposium, a perfect combination. Chris

 

[Regnar Rick]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing photos!:salute::

Cheers,
Jake

 

[Currahee Chris]

Hey Louis

Thanks for the after action report. What a neat looking Zouave uniform. I was hoping to go but alas, my son had a baseball camp to attend at JMU this weekend. My daughter and I were there two Sundays ago- I had three ticks!!! Hopefully no one got them trapsing around in the grass. For whatever reason, the PA monument seems rife with them. It has been like that since the quarantine went into effect.

Your buddy
CC

 

[REVWARBUFF]

Great report Louis!!! I was hoping to attend but my schedule didn't permit it this year. Hopefully I can make next year's.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us and for the great pics.

That's a very nice pick up you got on those authentic ACW uniforms--congrats!!

Mark

 

[tdubel]

Louis
Very nice and great report, glad you guys had a great time!
Tom

 

[BHogan]

Sounds like a terrific time and congrats on the additions to the collection!

Brendan

 

[Terp152]

Louis, you've conficed me, I have to go back to Gettysburg next year. Been there many times but was last there 24 years ago. I spent a week camping with my 8 year old during a re enactment. Fond memories. Chris

 

[Grey Heron]

Lovely looking uniforms. Thank you for sharing these.

 

[Horus]

Looks like that made for the perfect weekend. Some Father Son bonding, a Battlefield to explore, Some hands on hobby fun with the masters with a cool result for Alec and an excellent chance pick up for you. Yep a great break for sure Louis ! :salute::

 

[jason foote]

Great report and i am so happy that you and Alec can share the hobby. My 19 year old sone just joined the army as a trainee paramedic but neither of my boys have had an interest in my toys since they were kids

 

[OzDigger]

Hey Louis looks like you guys had a great time and a bonus when you can share something with your son.

 

[WBritain]

We really enjoyed hosting the event and were blessed by perfect weather too. We are now in the planning stages of our 7th Symposium which will be held in Chillicothe, Ohio next year. We are hoping to extend the event to 4 days so we can have additional workshops and a visit to our headquarters as it will be W.Britain’s 130th anniversary. I will post more details as we firm things up.
Ken Osen

 

[Spanish soldier]

Mr. Ken, I have not yet received a response to two messages from me on your website about your detail figures.



Francisco

 

[WBritain]

Mr. Ken, I have not yet received a response to two messages from me on your website about your detail figures.



Francisco

Hi Francisco,
I will look into your questions this afternoon. Other staff members usually respond to any customer service questions, but we have been very busy setting up new spaces in our offices and warehouse since we returned from Gettysburg.
Thanks for the reminder,
Ken