The Gloucester VA250 Committee, in partnership with the Gloucester Museum of History, hosted “Give Me Liberty … Raising the County Militia in 1775,” on Sunday afternoon in the colonial courthouse. Shades of Our Past, a reenactment group, has written a script where audience members read from Patrick Henry’s famous address and performed the role of militia soldiers preparing for a possible conflict with England. Above, Bill Rose portrayed founding father Peyton Randolph, who served as speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses. Below, Mike Steen, educational coordinator of the Watermen’s Museum, at right, prepares militia commander the Rev. Doug Nagel, at left, and conscripted drummer boy Jamison Arzino (both selected from the audience) for their roles.

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