Platteville Historic Re-enactment Returns for 25th Living History Celebration

The 25th annual Platteville Historic Re-enactment September 8-10 will celebrate a quarter-century’s span of hands-on, living history celebrations. Held every year since 1998, the three-day Platteville Historic Re-enactment showcases the history of America’s Upper Mississippi Valley from the mid-1700s to 1840, featuring educators, artisans, and re-enactors taking part in a diverse encampment welcoming some 3,000 visitors per year. With one full day focused on welcoming schools and two days welcoming the general public, Historic Re-enactment is one of the most popular attractions of Dairy Days weekend each September. The presenters of this event create a camp in Mound View Park and take special pride in its educational and participatory spirit. Each of nearly 30 camp sites represents a team of historians and educators who focus on a particular historical theme. Some have participated since the inaugural event, with additional presenters bringing freshness and expanded interpretation with each passing year. New in 2023 will be food artisans Bud’s Root Beer and Ma’s Fry Bread.

Platteville’s re-enactment is distinctive to our Upper Mississippi Valley region, focusing on an exciting time relevant to our place — the time when America was established but still young and Americans were pushing west to the frontier for trapping and mining before Wisconsin became a territory (1836) and eventually a state (1848). There is no admission fee, but free-will donations are encouraged and a silent auction for hand-crafted history-related items will be held.

Camp hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, September 8, which emphasizes student tours for schools. Weekend hours include 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Mound View Park is located on the city’s northeast side at the intersection of Madison Street and Broadway Street (County Road B).

For more information and classroom teaching materials to complement your visit to the Platteville Historic Re-enactment, see www.mining.jamison.museum/hr. To book a school field trip, contact the Platteville Regional Chamber at (608) 348-8888. Also, find the Platteville Historic Re-enactment on Facebook. We look forward to seeing you!