Reenactors bring Maine Civil War history to life ahead of Memorial Day

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]Maine contributed over 40 regiments during the American Civil War. In honor of Memorial Day, people got a chance to learn more about the 5th Regiment over the weekend. Some Civil War re-enactors shared what it was like bringing scenes from history to life from the 3rd Regiment.

[00:00:19]Marching through the streets on Peaks Island.

[00:00:22]We're company A, 3rd Maine Volunteer Infantry. Sights and sounds of the Civil War over Memorial Day weekend.

[00:00:31]>> Yeah, I think it's super important for us to to remember this history.

[00:00:34]Preserving history in present day.

[00:00:37]Matthew Bray is the captain of the re-enactment group.

[00:00:39]>> Our country was literally at war with itself. Um, and for us to to understand that so that we don't go back down that path again, I think it's very important.

[00:00:46]>> For him, this is more than a hobby.

[00:00:48]>> Being able to do this with my son, um, some of my very best friends, uh, a chance to, you know, camp with the theme sometimes is always a lot of fun. Just just building those those bonds and partnerships and friendship, it's it's fantastic. It's the same for Joshua Thurlow.

[00:01:00]>> And they see it something like, "Whoa, like these guys look like straight out of a history book."

[00:01:04]>> He's the principal musician for the group.

[00:01:06]>> Uh, music was made for a couple different reasons, for intimidation, but also mainly to take the focus off of the hot, long, grueling marches these guys went through.

[00:01:14]>> Diane Thompson joined several years ago.

[00:01:16]I think the best part of being with this group is the camaraderie.

[00:01:21]Uh, it's like a second family. She said it's been fun and educational learning about the vital role civilians and women played during the Civil War.

[00:01:32]There were some women that did go follow the troops.

[00:01:36]Um, and they were primarily the laundress or became nurses along the way.

[00:01:40]>> For folks already interested in history, this is actually my first time seeing the re-enactors here. I've studied this building for a decade and this is a special day even for me.

[00:01:49]>> Witnessing the past first-hand in a museum that was once a place for vets from the 5th Regiment to come and relax and heal.

[00:01:56]>> Place to gather with their former comrades and make sense of the most formative experience of their lives, which was the war, but at the same time have recreation and enjoyment.

[00:02:08]With this reenactment coinciding with Memorial Day weekend, it also serves as a time to honor those that served.

[00:02:18]If you're interested in joining the Third Regiment Reenactment Group, you can learn more about them at thirdmain.org. As for the Fifth Maine Museum, you can visit it on Peaks Island now through October. You can check when it's open on the museum's website.

[00:02:32]Admission is $10. And a quick fun fact, just down the road from the Fifth Maine Museum, another home on Peaks Island was used by the Eighth Regiment during the Civil War also for relaxation and healing.