The History of Chesterfield, New Hampshire

August 17, 2000
Oak Glen, California

Update:  Pictures from the Muster!

Dear Friends and Family:

This weekend, we're proud to be hosting:

The California Consolidated Drum Band
Bear Flag Field Music
The 24th Michigan Fife and Drum Corps
The Oregon Fife and Drum Corps
The Fallbrook Fife & Drum Corps
The Redlands Fife & Drum Corps

In a celebration of a musical tradition even older than America herself.    In the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, fifers and drummers were used to keep the cadence of camp life and to signal maneuvers on the battlefield.    At the battle of Concord, young Luther Blanchard, a fifer, was wounded by the redcoats during the first round of fighting, probably playing a tune you might hear this weekend, "The White Cockade."

On the East Coast, particularly in the Connecticut River Valley, the tradition of drumming and fifing is still growing stronger every year, with musters commonly reaching as many as 700 musicians.   (There are stories about policemen being called out to quiet them down on the town green--at midnight.)

This weekend, you and your family can take part in a vital American tradition--the drum and fife muster.    Bring a picnic basket and a blanket.     The music is something grand!

Saturday & Sunday August 19-20
10:00 AM -- 4:30 PM
Adults $5, Children $3
(Please check in at the White Colonial House
Behind the Stone Wall, near the Roadside)

Your Humble Servant,

James Riley



The California Consolidated Drum Band performing at the Deep River Muster in Connecticut this year.

Don't Forget...

This year, over 10,000 school children  will take part in our Living History Field Trips.    Click here to make it 10,001!       The price is $12.00 per participant, with one free adult for every 15 students.      This includes lunch and four hours of participatory living history, covering either the American Revolution, Civil War, or Early California.

After an early March visit this year, a  fifth grade teacher from San Diego wrote us to say, "Thank you for the most wonderful field trip I have ever hosted for children.   Your knowledge of history, the authenticity of your facilities, the beauty of the surroundings, and the love of history that you shared with the students are very much appreciated." 

Thanks!  

Mark your calendars!   We look forward to visiting with you soon.

 Your Humble Servant,

James Riley

P.S. For the sake of those "web portals" constantly browsing the internet to update their search engines, we include the following boiler-plate. (Feel free to read this, if you're new to our site.)

Riley's Farm is a working apple orchard and living history farm in the Oak Glen area of Southern California. In addition to farming, we love history and we have provided a venue for re-enactment units comprising many different eras. The farm regularly hosts banquets, birthday parties, weddings, and office parties. Every year, literally thousands of students participate in one of our school tours, where they experience everything from weaving, candle-dipping, and cider pressing to the drill and muster of a Revolutionary War or Civil War battle. Our farm has appeared on the History Channel and in the recently released feature film, Amistad, as well as many other film and television productions. (We even try to get the producers to include us as on screen talent, but that's another story.) On selected weekends throughout the year, we offer "farm-stay" weekends, where families can experience--clothing, wood stoves, muskets, and all--the life of an 18th or 19th century American farmer. We grow sweet corn, apples, raspberries, pears, and sunflowers, just to mention a few of our crops. Our nephew, Devon, keeps some beautiful Belgian draft horses for country hay-rides. We love America--its traditions, its people, its history, and its cherished heritage of liberty in Christ. Have we said enough? Well, one more thing: In the fall, thousands of families make an annual pilgrimage to the farms of Oak Glen to experience the closest thing to a New England fall California has to offer. Why don't you stop by and say hello?

P.S.  Stay Clear of this "Cider House"

Ignore the Critics, Enjoy The Patriot!

A Picture of the Riley Family

Contacting us via e-mail at: info@rileysfarm.com.

Sign our Guest Book.

Riley's Farm
12261 S. Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, California 92399

(909) 797-7534

Riley's Farm, Copyright 1997-2000, All Rights Reserved