Gardner's Regiment

About Us

April, 2008, marked the first anniversary of the new Gardner's Regiment.  It was slightly more than one year before that Tom Coots, a local bank manager, got together with Wayne Snow, a local CPA, and a few others to incorporate the Company that would re-enact Gardner's Regiment - the Regiment from the metro Boston area that fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

These men, however, were not the first to re-enact Gardner's Regiment.  In the Spring of 1967, 28 year old Jim O'Neil became interested in the Militia upon reading a history of Charlestown.  He approached the local Charlestown Historical Society but found no takers for the suggestion that a re-enactment group be formed.  Undaunted, O'Neil went directly to his friends and neighbors and a Militia re-enactment group was founded.

In June of 1967 the first contingent of the Charlestown Militia / Gardner's Regiment marched in the Bunker Hill Day Parade.  Some have called their Colonial clothing "piecemeal" but everyone knew they were "the Militia".  The weapons were flintlocks they purchased from Belgium.  Recently someone saw a Belgian flintlock and remarked that he was glad to see one since few existed anymore - most have exploded in the hands of their owners.  The Charlestown re-enactors of the 60's and 70's have no shortage of stories in that regard. 

The Militia grew to 45 members including wives and children of the re-enactors.  They marched and re-enacted in other towns such as Lexington and Concord.  Not satisfied with re-enacting, the Militia began to organize activities for children in Charlestown - games, athletic events, even a Soap Box Derby which continues with other towns till this day.  The Bicentennial of the Battle of Bunker Hill came and the Charlestown Militia proudly took their place.

Some may be old enough to remember that the late 1970's were turbulent times for Boston and Charlestown.  Happily, the Charlestown Militia is remembered as one group that worked tirelessly to keep the focus of the community on its historic and patriotic roots during the Bicentennial - helping people remember the values which are a critical part of our democratic society.

Time moved on and so did the members of the Militia.  It was only in 2007, when approached by Kevin O'Neil, the now adult son of the origianal founder, Jim O'Neil, that Tom Coots began to consider the possibilities.  Tom, being a former British/Highlander re-enactor, knew the level of work that would be involved.  He knew the level of committment required of the founders.  He also knew that it was time for a new direction.  One by one new members arrived.  This time they came not just from Charlestown but Arlington,Cambridge, Haverhill, Jamaica Plain, Malden, Methuen, North Reading, Readville, Revere, Roxbury, Tewksbury, Woburn - and even an Honorary Member from Connecticut.

Go to the page which details the Militia's activities during it's first year.  Consider the fact that this group was, only months before, marching inside an unheated Memorial Hall in Charlestown wearing 'civies' and carrying broom sticks.  They practiced marching drills over and over - always conscious of the fact that they would soon be doing this in public.  The muskets and clothing all seemed to come at the last minute.  And, somehow, it all came together on time.  The generosity of other members of the re-enacting community was truly a gift.  The acceptance of others, the acknowledgement of the Militia's efforts, was the final proof that the new Gardner's Regiment had arrived.

The coming year will bring more changes.  Living History demonstrations, the continued growth of the Woburn Unit, a fife and drum corp, historic research, identifying local events of importance, and the recruitment of new members are some of the important tasks which are ahead.  Sound interesting?  We hope so.  As said before on this web site - drop a note.  Let us know of your interests - there is always room for more.

All the Best,

Gardner's Regiment

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