THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 30, 1995 TAG: 9511280099
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Two Civil War re-enactors who married in a period wedding at Fort Norfolk last summer are cooking up something special for the holidays.
As members of the Hope Soldiers' Aid Society, Paul and Deidre Langley have planned a Victorian Christmas celebration for Sunday at the historic fort. From 1 to 4 p.m., the Langleys and about a dozen other re-enactors will serve up helpings of a holiday banquet similar to those prepared during the early part of the Victorian era.
``We're real history nuts,'' said Paul Langley, a Suffolk resident who is a member of the Norfolk Historical Society. Re-enactors for about five years, the Langleys married last May.
``We wanted to bring a little bit more attention to the fort, so we thought it would be a good idea to show the public how the townsfolks may have built up the spirit and morale of the soldiers in the garrison who were here during the early part of the war,'' he said. ``At that time, the Confederates would have had several victories, and the townspeople would have probably brought their spirit right into the fort to celebrate with the soldiers. We wanted to show what it would have probably been like.''
The re-enactors will begin cooking turkeys and venison over an open fire around 6 a.m. Homemade breads and such period side dishes as carrot pudding and boiled cabbage also be will prepared.
Dinner will be served at 2 p.m., during which the public will get an opportunity to sample the various dishes. Afterward, the re-enactors will sing Christmas carols popular during the Civil War and will dance reels, waltzes and polkas.
For the festivities, the historic War of 1812 military installation will be decorated with Christmas trees, garland, wreaths and other traditional holiday finery.
The event is free and open to the public. Fort Norfolk is at 810 Front St. by CNB