Over 5000 visitors returned to 1815 during the 193rd anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans at Chalmette Battlefield in Chalmette, Louisiana. On January 11 and 12, more than 125 living history volunteers set up camp on the battlefield and shared the story of the last great conflict of the War of 1812. Activities included cannon and musket firings, military drills, crafts demonstrations, and a special kids camp with period games and kid-sized uniforms to try on.
Attendance at the event has increased steadily since the battlefield, Chalmette, and the city of New Orleans were flooded by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. "We were particularly pleased that over 2500 local students attended the school field trip day on Friday," said Cidney Webster, supervisory park ranger. "The American victory at Chalmette was one of the most important moments in Louisiana's history and this event will make it live forever for those students."
Chalmette Battlefield is one of the six sites of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.
