VINCENNES, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Gunfire, crowds and military gear were just part of the excitement over WWII weekend at the Indiana Military Museum.
Bryan Andrews studied history in college and begin his reenactment career when he was only two years old. He believes teaching the next generation about the country’s history is very important.
“We’re all living historians as the term is,” said Andrews. “We’re the ones who come out here and basically we’re the ones who try and bring history to life. We’re educators first and most importantly.”
The museum took over the WWII reenactment after a company in Illinois was unable to do so due to COVID restrictions.
Museum staff say this year they saw more reenactors than in years past.
“It about equals our largest number of reenactors ever and these guys go out, set up camp,” said Jim Osborne, curator for the Indiana Military Museum. “They set up different displays and exhibits and twice a day they have put on some fabulous battle reenactments.”
Andrews has traveled the country taking part in different reenactments including the Civil and Vietnam War.
“In my Revolution War reenactment unit I’ve been as far as the east coast to Virginia,” said Andrews. “So lots of reenactors travel all over because we live all over the country and we converge on sites. Tour sites and museums to reenact and engage with people from different communities.”
Osborne hopes to see everyone back for the museum’s own annual WWII event which will be Labor Day weekend.
