The exciting special exhibition called "States of Siege: A Consideration of Re-enactment Photography" including "Remains of the Campaign" by Dan Pollack, opens in URI's Fine Arts Center Galleries’ Main Gallery on January 31. To complement that thematic exhibition a performance-laden "Muster" event will run on Sunday, February 5, from noon to 5PM in tandem with an Opening Reception for the photo exhibit.

The afternoon's activities will be off to a dramatic start with a stirring "Trooping of Colors" presented by the 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery Regiment. This is the state's African-American Civil War Regiment, reenacted by a dedicated group of Central High School, Providence students under the leadership of Rob Goldman. The "Trooping of Colors" will be accompanied suitably by local military musicians, a Fife and Drum Corps.

The 14th Rhode Island Regiment will be an exciting presence throughout the afternoon’s festivities, demonstrating various aspects of Civil War military life, including what soldiers of the 1860s typically ate. Hard tack and salt pork will be there to sample, as well as casseroles, puddings, cakes, and cookies of the Civil War era, for those with more delicate palates. A musket bayonet drill is also planned.

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The Glocester Light Infantry, a group re-enacting typical "citizen-soldiers" of the Revolutionary War, will march in formation that afternoon. The unit was chartered in 1774, in response to increasing political tension with the British Crown. In addition, David Cunningham, an African-American reenactor/interpreter, will represent the 1st Rhode Island Infantry Regiment, the country's first all-black unit. Cunningham will speak about how the experience of soldiers in his regiment "planted the seed of emancipation."

Robert Kilham, of the Amoskeag Players, New Hampshire, will be plucking his banjo for everyone's enjoyment. Mr. Kilham is a historian of mid-19th century music, and he will elucidate the music of the period, especially how it applies to such topics as "abolition, temperance, labor, and the way Americans generally viewed themselves."

To round out the afternoon, there will be a traveling photographer set up to demonstrate the rarified techniques of Civil-War era photography, such as ambrotypes and ferrotypes -- methods which are featured in the "States of Siege" exhibition.

Be sure to join in the fun surrounding this fascinating exhibition! Period costume is encouraged and all events are free and open to the public.

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