News & Press Releases

Officers, Gentlemen and Brawling Frontiersmen: Fencing and Martial Arts in Colonial America at Carlyle House Historic Park

Fairfax, VA (March 22, 2010) – The Carlyle House is proud to offer a closer look at fencing and martial arts in Colonial times. On Saturday, May 15^th from 2-4 p.m. let Internationally-known historical fencing instructors Tom Leoni and Steve Huff take you back in time to a day of training in 17^th and 18^th century fighting arts as practiced by officers, gentlemen and frontiersmen.

Did you know that 17^th and 18^th century martial arts were as sophisticated and effective as Karate and Kung Fu? Did you know that our forefathers placed as much emphasis on martial-arts training as the ancient Samurai? Even at a time when gunpowder decided the outcome of battles, men, and sometimes women too, cultivated and prized individual skills with the sword and other bladed weapons.

View how these men trained and fought. Experience a hands-on look at an impressive range of bladed weapons of the period and accurate modern replicas--from smallsword to spadroons, from Scottish backswords to cavalry swords, from bayonets to polearms, from tomahawks to Bowie knives.

This event is $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. Reservations encouraged, call 703-549-2997 to reserve your spot. For more information about this event please contact Carlyle House Site Administrator, Jim Bartlinski at 703-549-2997 or e-mail: jbartlinski@nvrpa.org