Muster Day, a springtime tradition at Old Sturbridge Village, returns for a 2022 re-enactment on Saturday, May 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

OSV explains the event as follows.

“To supplement the meager armed forces, most early 19th Century farmers and craftsmen were required by law to serve in local militia units—a forerunner of today’s National Guard.

“Twice a year, these citizen-soldiers were ‘called to muster’ for a day of training in their town. Old Sturbridge Village re-creates a typical Muster Day and celebrates our local military history.

“Demonstrations will include marching, musket and cannon firing, martial music and target practice.”

OSV media personnel notes that the 1792 Militia Act stated that every able-bodied white man from the age of eighteen to forty-five was liable for military service. Exemptions were granted for government officials, pacifists and certain occupations.

All men liable for service had to provide their own equipment, including a musket and bayonet, a cartridge box containing twenty-four rounds of ammunition and two flints, and a knapsack.