Battle of Vienna Living History Event

One ticket. Two locations. More than 200 years of Dorchester County history brought to life.

On Saturday, Aug. 29, head to Vienna for the Battle of Vienna Living History Event, commemorating the British raids that brought the American Revolution right to the banks of the Nanticoke River, commemorating the Revolutionary War's 1779-1782 "Battle of Vienna."

See history come alive and experience a Revolutionary-era military encampment, a replica 18th-century ship, traditional music, exhibits, food, and fun for the entire family. Happening at two locations: Handsell Historic Site and the nearby Vienna Waterfront, just 1.5 miles away.

At Handsell, activities include:

• The Chesapeake Independent Blues, a historical reenactment group, will set up a military encampment and conduct demonstrations and drills.
• Demonstrations of woodworking, open-hearth cooking, blacksmithing, rug-hooking, and Native culture
• Music by Ampersand and Linda Harris and David Cole
• Tours of the Handsell house and the Native American Chicone Village
• Food by Hooked on Seafood food truck, Lenni Lenape food tent, Scoops Ice Cream Truck

On the Vienna waterfront, activites include:

• See remains of a colonial shipwreck discovered in the Nanticoke River in Vienna (at the Nanticoke River Discovery Center, 113 Old Ocean Gateway, Vienna)
• The Ship’s Company replica vessel
• The Ship’s Company Chanteymen with maritime folk music and traditional sea chanteys
• Tours of historic homes in the charming town of Vienna
• Visits to the Vienna Heritage Museum and the Nanticoke River Discovery Center
• Children’s games and activities
• Food trucks

The $10 ticket provides admission to both sites. Discounted rates for families with children. Buy tickets in advance or at Handsell (4837 Indiantown Road, Vienna, MD) or the Vienna Heritage Society (303 Race Street, Vienna, MD) on the day of the event.

For more information, visit www.restorehandsell.org and www.viennamd.org. 

The event is sponsored by the Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance (NHPA) and the Vienna Heritage Society. 

What makes this event especially interesting: the history happened here. British vessels repeatedly raided Vienna (a key port on the Nanticoke River) and other sites along the Nanticoke between 1779 and 1782, when the river was both an important commercial route and a setting for Revolutionary War conflict. They looted supplies, burned ships, and targeted homes like Governor John Henry’s Weston and the Handsell house. Come spend the day in Vienna and experience a chapter of Revolutionary War history that unfolded right here on Maryland's Eastern Shore.