- March 25, 2025
Ormond Beach residents did a double take as they drove past the Anderson-Price Memorial Building in late February.
Were they seeing things, or had they just been transported back in time? Colonial soldiers in full uniform waved from the roadside, their wives in elegant 18th-century gowns smiling at passersby. It wasn’t a trick of the eye — it was history coming to life.
The Ormond Beach Historical Society, the Daughters of the American Revolution Ormond Chapter, and the Daytona Ormond Sons of the American Revolution hosted the American Revolution Experience, a traveling exhibit that brought the Revolutionary era to the heart of the city. Part of the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, this ten-day event immersed visitors in the sights, sounds, and struggles of the country’s founding period.
One of the biggest highlights? Meeting George and Martha Washington — or at least, their uncanny reenactors (Bill and Cara Elder). Guests shook hands with the first President and First Lady, engaging in discussions about 18th-century politics, and even learning how to properly address them in Colonial society. And talking to Alexander Hamilton (Joe Vedder) about his life from an orphaned boy to Revolutionary hero.
History came alive in more ways than one. Attendees took part in a "Not Only in Boston" Tea Party, exploring the significance of tea (and rebellion) in American history. And what better way to celebrate General Washington’s legacy than with a grand Birthday Ball? Guests in period attire danced the night away, reveling in an atmosphere that felt straight out of 1776.
Mary Smith, President of the Ormond Beach Historical Society, expressed her excitement about the event’s impact on the community.
"The extraordinary ten-day event welcomed hundreds of our citizens to this traveling exhibit, which is making its way across the USA," Smith said. "The OBHS, DAR, and SAR were thrilled to collaborate on providing this national experience, complete with reenactors, engaging presentations, and even conversations with actual descendants of those who faced the fateful choice—join the Patriot cause or remain loyal to the British Crown. We look forward to many future collaborations sharing the history of our nation and our beautiful Ormond Beach."
