The History of Chesterfield, New Hampshire


 

November 12, 2000
Oak Glen, California

Dear Friends and Family,

I've been watching Civil War battles here for more than seven years, but I've never seen anything quite so spectactular as yesterday's battle.    The meadow was free of snow but the hills in the background, under the tree canopy, were still adorned in white, with burnished gold leaves dressing the forest.

The artillery broke out fiercely with the crowd applauding the perfect smoke rings drifting across the field.   The Union came up over a small hill and took their position just across a stone water flume.    The grey and butternut uniforms of the Confederate line marched in from--where else?--the southern part of the upper meadow and the fighting broke out in earnest.   

The reenactors did a compelling job of showing the crowd how courageous those men must have been--standing in an open field to reload their weapons even as the enemy rushed on.    It was a fitting, and magnificent, tribute to America's veterans.   

Come see them battle their way through the meadows of Oak Glen today (Sunday).    Adults are $5 and children $3, both days.

Your humble servant,

James Riley

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"

A view down the packing shed road, just as the clouds began to break.

Drummer Andrew takes a break as the sunset toasts the black oak trees in the background.

A Picture of the Riley Family

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

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

(909) 797-7534

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