1st Continental Regiment

01/08/2026

This past Sunday members of the ICONs attended the 249th Anniversary of the Battle of Princeton. It was an honor to portray the men and women that were present there in January of 1777

📸 Courtesy of members of the regiment and others

12/31/2025

Join us as we also observe the birthday of our Colonel!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1B6QP3Djsx/

Happy Birthday to Edward Hand, born on this day, December 31, 1744, in Clyduff, King's County, Ireland.

Trained as a doctor in Ireland, Hand served with the British army on the Pennsylvania frontier from 1767 to 1774 before resigning his commission to practice medicine in Lancaster. An early supporter of the American cause, Hand was commissioned a lieutenant colonel in the rifle battalion that Pennsylvania raised in 1775.

In 1781, Hand was appointed adjutant general under George Washington, where he overhauled administrative and training procedures. His success in various challenging tasks places him among the best of the Revolution’s citizen-soldiers. Read more at https://unchartedlancaster.com/edward-hand-patriot-physician-and-master-of-rock-ford/

12/15/2025

Did you know that Lancaster county was a large supplier of rifles, muskets and bayonets during the American Revolution?

https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/a-riflemaking-mecca-lancaster-county-pa/?fbclid=Iwb21leAOr5WdjbGNrA6vXQWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHschHZ36y5jGKjSC89TdM2erjYyKDT0AVcTzR8rvwSkprhzP_K8J_hNNgkHF_aem_3ivXNXvB5eWh_azqT3NqSw

In fact, we noted that many of the rifle makers listed in this article above have ties to the 1st Continental Regiment and our history as military force raised on the frontier areas of Pennsylvania.

If this history is of interest to you and you would like to know more, contact us via the link in the comments to get the conversation going!

12/15/2025

📸 Seth Siditsky & Mike Chipowsky

11/20/2025

This fall, one of our members embarked on an incredible adventure honoring the 250th anniversary of Colonel Benedict Arnold’s legendary expedition to Quebec through the Maine wilderness, portraying a daring Pennsylvania Rifleman from Hendricks’s and Smith’s companies of Thompson's Rifle Battalion. Starting at Fort Western in Augusta, he camped along Middle Carry Pond on the famous Great Portage trail, marching the 12-mile portage over two days in the company of several others! In all, it was a fitting tribute to an epic chapter of the unit's early history as Thompson's Rifle Battalion 250 years ago this year.

11/11/2025

A couple of the ICONs traveled south to Williamsburg for the 250th Anniversary of the forming of the 2nd Virginia Regiment. It was an absolute honor and privilege to be part of the first group of reenactors to be welcomed back to Williamsburg in over a decade.

📸 Photos by CW Staff and others

05/18/2025

The Unit had a great weekend doing interp at Pennypacker Mills. And our first time using our newly constructed hovel as sleeping quarters for our members. It worked out extremely well.

03/24/2025

We had a great weekend out on the Pennsylvania Frontier! The perfect combination of drill, skill building, & good cheer! Special thanks to Fort Loudoun for being such gracious hosts! We’re already anticipating next year!

03/23/2025

That’s a rap on a great weekend at Fort Loudoun! Already looking forward to our 2026 Garrison Weekend!

03/22/2025

Beautiful day here at Fort Loudoun!

03/12/2025

Join us at Fort Loudoun on March 22nd & 23rd for an interactive journey into the Revolutionary War era! Experience history like never before as members of the re-created 1st Continental Regiment bring the past to life. Learn about the men and women from Pennsylvania’s frontier counties, their unique perspectives, and how their equipment, tactics, and political goals set them apart from other Revolutionary soldiers.

Watch live demonstrations of company and ranging tactics, and discover the distinct political revolution unfolding on the frontier during that time!

Interested in stepping into history yourself as a living historian? The 1st Continental Regiment is currently recruiting! Speak with unit members at Fort Loudoun to find out how you can take part in this engaging and exciting hobby that is the journey of a lifetime!

03/10/2025

It's Meet a Member Monday!

Today's ICON is Paul T.

How did you start reenacting?

I’ve been reenacting pretty much my entire life. My parents were reenactors, and I have been reenacting multiple time periods and with a few different units in the revolutionary period since I was a kid.

What is your favorite event?

I don’t think I have a favorite event, but I have two favorite event locations: Valley Forge and Morristown National Historic Parks. Both places are sites of Continental Army winter encampments. The Continental Army spent months at a time at these places and they are full of historic stories and often don’t get as much appreciation as Battlefields.

What is your favorite book about the Revolutionary Period?

One of my favorites is “The First Salute” by Barbara Tuchman. The book focuses on the effects of the American Revolution outside the US and the contributions of the Dutch Caribbean colony of St. Eustatius towards American independence.

What is your reenacting goal for this year?

My goal is to get to as many events as I can and to help the 1st Continentals recruit new members.

What is your favorite aspect of the hobby?

It changes all the time but traveling, doing research, and talking to intrigued spectators at events are usually the best parts of reenacting for me.

What makes you continue to be a member of the 1st Continental Regiment?

The unit has been doing a fantastic job portraying the riflemen of the Continental Army. I like the way the unit adapts to new events and guidelines, and other members of the regiment often introduce me to new books, events, and impressions.