Locals learn about connections to the Civil War [Amsterdam Recorder] Outside the Old County Courthouse in Fonda on Saturday, Randy McCullers kneeled on the ground to explain the equipment that a Civil War soldier would carry. Dressed in a confederate uniform, McCullers, a reenactor who lives in Johnstown, explained the contents of a soldier’s haversack – a pack a soldier used to carry personal items and food – for many who stopped by his spot at Camp Mohawk Day. Matches, candles, a knife, silverware, a plate, a cup, and more were displayed on the ground, items replicating those of an earlier time. When asked why he got involved as a reenactor, McCullers simply replied, “my heritage.” Put on by the Heritage and Genealogical Society, along with the Montgomery County Department of History and Archives, Camp Mohawk Day was all about commemorating the 150th anniversary of the 19th-century war, and highlighting the connections that the local area and people had to it. Walking together closeby examining other artifacts from the time were Wyatt and Teresa Sammons. “Both his and my family are from the area,” Teresa Sammons said. “And I’m interested in knowing about the history of both families.” Wyatt Sammons said he was especially interested in exploring his family history knowing that information on Col. Simeon Sammons, who commanded the 115th New York Regiment, might be present there. The artifacts they were looking at were from the Margaret Reaney Memorial Library and Museum in St. Johnsville, who had a table at the event covered in samples of their collections. Becky Sokol, president of the Board of Trustees for the museum, enticed residents to visit as she shared stories of the legendary shoe from a Union drummer who was involved in the Fort Fisher explosion, a cane from a Confederate soldier that was found at the Battle of the Wilderness, and frames showing the names of the members of the 115th Regiment, companies D and E. “Today is a celebration of the 150 years since the Civil War began,” she said. “We gathered up a minor part of our collection and want to share it with the public because when our museum does reopen ... we want to people to be aware of all the available history we have in our library.” Sharon Fuller, a trustee of the museum, added that the museum and library will open up sometime in the near future after restoration and renovations are finished. As Rural Felicity, a reenactment band from the Capital District, played music from the Civil War period, children had the opportunity to play with toys from an earlier time and families grabbed lunch at the Texas Barbecue. And inside the old courthouse, attendees could walk through and glance at artifacts linked to the area, like a Camp Mohawk lithograph, the Civil War Pension Benefits ledger, and Col. Sammons sword and hat. A great deal of planning went into the event, said Montgomery County Historian Kelly Yacobucci Farquhar, as it was the first themed event that they have done. “A lot of people may not even realize that we’re commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, and I think it just gives people an idea of what is out there, what is available as far as history resources,” she said. Mark Silo, author of the book, The 115th New York in the Civil War: A Regimental History, gave a presentation later in the day about the regiment and what it did around Fonda as it formed up for war. “I think it helps people maintain a pride in their history, in their country, as well as their locality,” he said of the event. “These people around the Mohawk Valley were a big part of American History.” -- Bob Sullivan Schenectady Digital History Archive <http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/> Schenectady County (NY) Public Library