Amherst's Taste of History spotlights military past

AMHERST — It is an accepted bit of battlefield wisdom that an army moves on its stomach. Visitors will find out how at the Taste of History living history event Friday and Saturday at Sandstone Village. The unusual program offers attendees a unique perspective to military history: How troops are fed. "There are lots of living history events all across the country but this one is unique because it focuses on food," said Elizabeth Fought, public relations manager for the Amherst Historical Society. The program is in the society's Sandstone Village, where visitors will experience military life of different eras through sight, sound and taste, Fought said. Re-enactors from around the country and Canada donate their time to give the public a realistic walk through time, bringing their personal collections and setting up camp. "It's such a fascinating look at history, including the military, civilians, the camp followers, and the food, which unites everybody. Again, we are so grateful for all the people who come out to this event," Fought said. There are static displays of antique collectibles as well as walk-through historical displays and shooting demonstrations, to examples of home front and camp followers' lives as well, she said. Military eras represented are the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, the Global War on Terror and The Hundred Years' War. For donations, visitors can sample foods prepared in field kitchens on site using authentic methods and military rations. The Ohio National Guard will be on hand to provide samples of modern-day fare. There will be vendors at the event as well, and potential vendors still have time to register. Taste of History initially was proposed to the society in 2023 by the Military History Preservation Group. It was decided Sandstone Village's preserved historic buildings and fields would serve as a good backdrop for the event's theme, and it's been by far the society's biggest annual program. Last year, more than 3,500 people attended with an estimated 200 re-enactors arriving; both of those numbers are expected to increase this year. The Lorain County Visitors Bureau, along with several area veterans organizations, American Legion and Eagles posts, along with other groups help to sponsor the event, making it free to the public. Taste of History 2025 is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Sandstone Village, 763 Milan Ave., Amherst. Free parking and shuttle is at Amherst Junior High School, 548 Milan Ave., Amherst. From noon to 4 p.m., sample military rations from different eras with a donation. The traditional kickoff Canteen Pub Crawl will take place June 12 from 7 to 10 p.m. in downtown Amherst, sponsored by Main Street Amherst and the Military History Preservation Group. The Canteen Pub Crawl started in 2023, the same year as the inaugural Taste of History event, as a way to welcome the re-enactors to town and introduce them to the hospitality of Amherst, Fought said. Re-enactors in full historical clothing and military uniform will be visiting local taverns and eateries downtown and participating businesses will be decorating their storefront windows as part of a window display competition. Several bars and restaurants are offering drink and food specials tied to the Canteen Pub Crawl that night, including 5 Points Tavern, Captain's Club, Cedar Pub, Cole's Public House, Ghost Tree Brewing Company, Olde Town Pizza House, Park Bar and Grille, Quesadillas and Ziggy's. "Re-enactors come out wearing everything from modern-day clothes to historic outfits," Fought said. "It's not often you get to sit and eat with a Revolutionary War soldier, a German POW and a Vietnam War soldier." Registration for re-enactors or field kitchens is free and $50 for vendors. Register at www.mhpg.us/tasteofhistory. For information, contact the Amherst Historical Society at (440) 988-7255 or office@amhersthistoricalsociety.org. Contact Rini Jeffers at rinijeffers@gmail.com.