Reenactors Set Up 1860s Camp in Bayside Park

Company K of the 67th New York Infantry built a small military camp in Fort Totten Park in Bayside on Sunday, Nov. 1. The group partnered with the Bayside Historical Society to host a Civil War living history event that was open to the public at no cost. The setup included a hospital tent, a collection of muskets, and stations displaying everyday items used by soldiers in the 1860s.

Max Kenny, the secretary for the Long Island based unit, said the group has performed reenactments at this specific park since 2019. Kenny explained that the camp is designed to give visitors a clear idea of daily life for a Union soldier. He noted that the hospital component allows people to learn about how injuries and illnesses were treated during that era.

George Munkenback participated in the event as a chaplain and surgeon. He stated that the primary goal is to show the actual conditions soldiers faced, including their diet, clothing, and state of mind. Munkenback pointed out that many soldiers originated from the local area and that the region hosted camps for both the United States Colored Troops and other regiments. He emphasized that the medical history of the Civil War is often overlooked, noting that many modern medical specialties stem from surgeons who served as soldiers in that conflict.

Brita Kube, the executive director of the Bayside Historical Society, described the event as a living history presentation. She said visitors can ask the reenactors questions while they remain in character. Kube noted that attendees can ask mundane questions about food and sleep or visit the surgical tent to learn about patient care. She added that the exhibit includes touchable artifacts and demonstrations of historical techniques.

The event took place in a public park setting, allowing families and neighbors to interact directly with the historical figures. The reenactors provided detailed answers about the realities of war and camp life. The day served as a practical demonstration of how soldiers endured the conflict and how medical procedures evolved during that period.

The Bayside Historical Society and Company K of the 67th New York Infantry organized the event to bring local history to life. The gathering concluded with visitors exploring the various stations and speaking with the members of the reenactment group. The free admission policy ensured that the exhibit was accessible to a wide range of community members.