Huntington Militia to Encamp at Old Bethpage Village on June 1

The Huntington Militia will encamp at Old Bethpage Village Restoration on Sunday, June 1, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., where it will demonstrate military camp life, take part in drills and fire genuine muskets, announced Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi.

The program, taking place alongside the 18th-century Martin Schenck House, will also include demonstrations from crafts people and opportunities for children to march, drill and learn to fire a “musket.”

The Order of the Ancient and Honorable Huntington Militia, one of the oldest organizations in the U.S., was formed in 1653 to provide defense for the Dutch settlements of New Netherlands. In 1666, two years after Huntington was made part of the Colony of New York, the Militia became part of the NewYork Provincial forces. Trained volunteers from Huntington served honorably in the French and Indian Wars, and at the outbreak of the Revolution the Militia voted to form an independent company to defend the town in the name of the Continental Congress.

Soon after, it formed the nucleus of the first Suffolk County Regiment of Militia and raised several companies, which later fought in the battles of Long Island, Harlem Heights and White Plains. After the Battle of White Plains, the unit dispersed, but some militiamen formed an organization of guerrilla fighters in Connecticut to raid occupied Long Island and the Militia was eventually re-established after the Revolution. The Town of Huntington reactivated the Huntington Militia in l974 to serve in a ceremonial capacity as its official Colonial Guard and as a living link to America’s past.

Old Bethpage Village Restoration provides visitors with a unique and wonderful opportunity to step back in time and experience life in a recreated mid-19th-century American village set on more than 200 acres. Hours are Wed. – Fri., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sat. - Sun, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Entrance fees are $7 for children 5 - 12 (those under 5 are free), seniors and volunteer firefighters; and $10 for adults. It is located on Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage; for more information, call 516-572-8400.