The British Are Coming: Revolutionary War Encampment & Reenactment
Published on August 18, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
The British Are Coming: Revolutionary War Encampment and Re-enactment at Tredyffrin’s Teegarden Park
TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Colonial history will come to life in Tredyffrin Township this September when His Majesty’s 40th Regiment, 2nd Battalion Light Infantry – the “Bloodhounds” – establishes an authentic Revolutionary War encampment at Teegarden Park in Tredyffrin Township as part of Chester County’s 250th anniversary celebration.
The encampment and re-enactment will take place Saturday, September 19, 2026 from 10 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday, September 20, 2026 from 10 AM to 3 PM. This free event will offer visitors an opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of a British 18th-century military camp and learn about the soldiers, strategies and battlefield conditions of the American Revolution.
The 40th Regiment was part of the British Army’s 1777 campaign to capture Philadelphia. That summer, British Commander-in-Chief Sir William Howe sailed from New York with nearly 17,000 troops, landing at the head of the Chesapeake Bay before beginning the march to capture the rebels’ capital, Philadelphia. George Washington moved approximately 12,000 Continental troops from New Jersey to oppose the British advance at Chadds Ford.
The 1777 campaign ultimately brought the war directly into Chester County, making the story particularly relevant to Tredyffrin Township and surrounding communities. After the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777, Howe moved the Army in Tredyffrin for 3 days to recover, reprovision and rearm. The camp spread across two miles of Tredyffrin’s Great Valley.
The re-enactment will offer a closer look at how Revolutionary War soldiers actually lived, trained, maneuvered, and fought — challenging some of the common misconceptions about warfare during the period. Visitors will see period uniforms and equipment, weapons demonstrations, camp life, drills, and interact with reenactors.
Redcoat reenactors will also share with visitors the evolution of British tactics in North America that allowed their regiments to sweep through Chester County, including the use of more open formations that allowed soldiers to maneuver through the wooded and uneven terrain common to the region.
While the movement of great armies commands our imaginations, the impact on the lands they pass through is often overlooked. The British Army’s impact in 1777 on Tredyffrin farmers and their families was enormous. Volunteers with the Tredyffrin Historical Commission will reveal new research findings of the plundering that affected more than half the township’s farms.
“Events like this give us an opportunity to experience history in a way that goes beyond reading about it in a textbook,” said Rob Williams, Chair of the Tredyffrin Township Historical Commission. “Our families today in 2026 can imagine the dread of Patriots and joy of Loyalists with the occupation of Tredyffrin by 10,000 British Redcoats.”
“We’re delighted that we can reveal a lesser-known story of the Revolutionary era and help residents and visitors to learn more about the people, places and events that affected Tredyffrin colonial families, and shaped our community and our nation, especially as we celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary this year.”
The encampment is part of Chester County’s 250th anniversary celebration, recognizing the county’s history and its connection to the founding and early years of the United States.
Event Details
British Light Infantry Revolutionary War Encampment & Re-enactment
Saturday, September 19, 2026: 10 AM – 4 PM
Sunday, September 20, 2026: 10 AM – 3 PM
Location: Teegarden Park, 440 Old State Road Berwyn, PA, Tredyffrin Township
The event is free and open to the public.
For more information about the Tredyffrin Township Historical Commission, visit https://www.tredyffrin.org/Boards-Commissions/Historical-Commission
About His Majesty’s 40th Regiment
His Majesty’s 40th Regiment, 2nd Battalion Light Infantry — known as the “Bloodhounds” — portrays British light infantry during the American Revolution. The unit is dedicated to educating the public about the military history, tactics and experiences of soldiers during the Revolutionary War through historical interpretation and re-enactment.
About Chester County 250
Chester County is commemorating its 250th anniversary in 2026 with events and programs celebrating the county’s history, communities and contributions to the story of America.
Media Contact:
610-644-1400
tredyffrin@tredyffrin.org