NGP Historic Preservation and Education
This year marks the 125th Anniversary of the War with Spain, commonly known as the Spanish-American War. Pennsylvania sent three regiments of infantry, three batteries of artillery, and three troops of cavalry overseas, as well as sending other infantry regiments to strategic locations to safeguard critical infrastructure necessary for national defense or war production.
For the 125th Anniversary of the largest mobilization of state troops since the American Civil War, we would like to support five (5) sites with ties to the National Guard of Pennsylvania (NGP). Our goal is to raise a minimum of $5,000, dividing the total funds raised evenly between these locations to further their historical preservation and education efforts.
These locations are:
The PA Capitol Preservation Committee's flag collection
- Prior to moving to a more secure and conservation-friendly location in Harrisburg, PA, our state's battle flags were proudly displayed in cases in our Capitol's rotunda. While it was an impressive sight, visitors were unable to see the battle honors and unit designations, and being stored wrapped around their flagstaff was not conducive to their longevity.
- Our goal is to raise $1,000 to help preserve our state's ongoing efforts to preserve these flags for future generations.
- The NGP History Project and friends will be visiting the collection at the end of April 2023, so keep an eye out for updates from that visit.
Mt Gretna Area Historical Society
- Mt Gretna is in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and has served as a training area for the NGP from the late 1800s until the early 1930s.
- The NGP would mobilize for the Spanish-American War, 1916 Border Crisis, and WW1 from Mt. Gretna.
- In 2019, a portion of this training area known as Soldiers Field was purchased by the Pennsylvania Chautauqua to preserve it for future generations.
- Our goal is to raise $1,000 to fund interpretive signage at Soldiers Field to help interpret the NGP's time at Mt. Gretna.
- The NGP History Project will be participating in a program at Mt Gretna over the weekend of May 6-7, 2023.
Fort Mott State Park
- Fort Mott is located at Fort Mott State Park in Pennsville, NJ, a former U.S. Army installation along the Delaware River.
- In 1898, the 14th Infantry Regiment was ordered there by the War Department to take charge of all government property and defend the approaches to the Delaware River.
- While at Fort Mott the 14th Regiment would learn their trade as soldiers, but also begin instruction as artillerymen while the fort was being completed.
- Our goal is to raise $1,000 to fund interpretive signage at Fort Mott to help interpret the NGP's time there during the summer of 1898.
- The NGP History Project will be participating in a program at Fort Mott over the weekend of July 8-9, 2023.
Fort Delaware State Park
- Fort Delaware is a Delaware State Park located on Pea Patch Island in the middle of the Delaware River.
- The Spanish American War would not be Fort Delaware's first war. This installation was active during the American Civil War as a prison, and Pennsylvania troops were part of the garrison then, as they were during the summer of 1898 when the 14th Infantry Regiment would serve there as well.
- Our goal is to raise $1,000 to fund interpretive signage at Fort Delaware to help interpret the NGP's time there during the summer of 1898.
- The NGP History Proejct will be participating in a program at Fort Delaware over the weekend of August 5-6, 2023.
The Pennsylvania Military Museum
- The Pennsylvania Military Museum is located in Boalsburg, PA, just outside of State College.
- Theodore Boal formed the Boal Troop, a mounted machine gun unit on his family property, that would later be called Camp Boal. This organization would become the Machine Gun Troop of the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry.
- During the 1920s and 1930s, Camp Boal would become a cavalry training camp and an officer's retreat.
- This land would become a shrine for the Pennsylvania National Guard and the 28th Infantry Division, with monuments and memorials erected in the memory of fallen comrades.
- In 1969, the museum would open its doors, where it continues to educate about the history of Pennsylvanians in uniform.
- Each year there is a remembrance ceremony, just like the ones that veterans of the Boal Troop held after WW1.
- Our goal is to raise $1,000 to support the missions and programming of the Pennsylvania Military Museum.
- The NGP History Project will be participating in a program at the museum over the weekends of April 1-2, 2023 & September 16-17, 2023.
The NGP History Project is a 501c3 non-profit organization that explores the history, research, and events concerning the National Guard of Pennsylvania from 1866 - 1917. We accomplish this through educational programming, publishing research, sharing imagery, and living history events.
