Pa. working on new policy to govern reenactments at sites like Bushy Run

A draft of Pennsylvania’s new living history policy — which previously jeopardized future reenactments at state-owned historic sites — is a “step in the right direction” but could use clarification, according to Bushy Run Battlefield Historical Society President Bonnie Ramus.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission held its second of two public Zoom meetings last week to share a draft of a new policy for reenactments at sites such as Bushy Run Battlefield in Penn Township.

The Bushy Run event, which portrays the 1763 battle between the British and Native Americans during Pontiac’s War, was in jeopardy of not happening this year when the state commission released guidelines in January prohibiting “force on force” reenactments.

The guidelines, adopted from the National Park Service, deemed these types of reenactments “disrespectful.”

The state commission ultimately reversed course and voted in March to allow the “force on force” reenactment to be held. But reenactors portraying Native Americans are now required to consult with members of the relevant tribes to ensure historical accuracy in dress, gear and practice.

Ramus anticipates an increased turnout for this year’s event, set for Aug. 5 and 6.

The new one-paragraph policy draft states that “historic weapons demonstrations, tactical exercises and ‘force on force’ reenactments … will be allowed, provided the living history program is mission-appropriate … as determined by PHMC staff.”

All parties involved in the reenactments — including “all who oversee, participate in or attend” — are required to “comply with PHMC’s policies and protocols,” the draft states.

Several Bushy Run representatives who attended the meeting suggested changes to the draft, namely that the commission change the wording to clarify where a complete document with policies and protocols can be found.

Howard Pollman, the commission’s director of external affairs, said the policies and protocols are in the management agreement the sites, including Bushy Run, signed in 2020.

Bushy Run Battlefield Chairman Brian Harris and a handful of other attendees also expressed concerns about “PHMC staff” making a determination of what is “mission-appropriate.” They suggested this be more specific.

The commission will create a final draft based on the public comments and put the policy up for vote at its next meeting before the end of the month. A specific date and time was not announced, but it is expected to be accessible via Zoom.

This policy does not apply to historical sites that are not owned by the state, such as Fort Ligonier.