The 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry

Welcome to our web site. The 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry is a family friendly, service oriented and Christian-principled Civil War reenacting association based in Arizona which in tandem with our sister regiment The 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry forms a unified team with a strong educational mission relative to the Civil War era. As a living history team the 1st Virginia / 1st Minnesota portray both soldiers and civilians of the North and South and together are the largest Civil War reenacting group in Arizona and the Southwest. We may be seen at the American Heritage Festival and other educational and inspirational reenacting events throughout Arizona produced by We Make History. We are also active in participation in large-scale events on the East Coast and are very proud to be part of the Army of Northern Virginia. Virginia is our second home. The members of the 1st Virginia Infantry are proud to represent Virginians.

Though active in both the East and Southwest, with members on both sides of the country (and more than a few in between), the 1st Virginia Infantry was founded in Arizona and is an Arizona based Civil War reenacting association. As the 1st Virginia we portray a company of "Gentlemen Volunteers" of Virginia, with a particular emphasis on the early to middle part of the War Between the States. We also have a strong secondary portrayal as the Winchester Rifles of the 2nd Virginia Infantry of the famous Stonewall Brigade. In addition we are at work adding/developing/expanding our ability to portray both sides of the American Revolution and as noted we also have a team who portray the 1st Minnesota Infantry, also based in Arizona, reenacting as a famed northern regiment of the Civil War.

We are family-focused and family-inclusive with the goal of safe, interactive education in a wholesome, family-friendly environment. We welcome family involvement and have diverse roles for civilians of both genders and all ages. Like so many of our forebears we are guided by Christian principles and are convinced that authenticity demands that these principles and practices be included in order to achieve a realistic historic portrayal and representation of the times. Our standards for participating are high yet between soldiers and civilians the 1st Virginia is well over 100 persons strong! "Family-friendly Civil War reenacting - with high historic, safety and behavioral standards - Isn't it about time?" We always take the high road!

Now for a little Virginia history...

Virginia, known as "The Old Dominion," was the first established of the thirteen colonies and birthplace to four of the first five Presidents of the United States. She was America's leader in many regards during the Colonial era, the American Revolution and long after Independence was won. By the early Spring of 1861, though many southern states had seceded, Virginia remained in the Union. But when the federal government rebuffed Virginia's peace delegation, demanded that Virginia raise a quota of soldiers to invade The South and then blockaded Virginia's shores it was clear that there was no longer any hope for diplomacy or neutrality. A decision would have to be made. Virginians made their decision and responded to the crisis by voting overwhelmingly to exercise what they believed to be their constitutional right of secession. (In 1788 Virginia ratified the U.S. Constitution with the specific caveat that she was reserving the right to resume at any time all powers delegated to the federal government and thus withdraw from the Union. Others states including New York and Rhode Island did the same and the legal right of secession was clearly asserted by both northern and southern states, political leaders and legal scholars right up to the point of the War Between the States.) As a consequence of exercising her right, Virginia herself was immediately invaded that very night and men from all over the state voluntarily organized into companies for her defense. A state flag was soon adopted which showed the resolve of these volunteers. The flag was in essence the famous "Bonnie Blue Flag" but with the star replaced by a white disc containing the obverse of the Virginia state seal which had been designed by patriot George Wythe back in 1776. The seal featured a victorious "Virtue" trampling "Tyranny" underfoot. Virtue stands erect with her sword sheathed, her spear at rest and her foot on a prostrate and defeated Tyranny whose chain is broken, whose scourge lies useless and whose crown has been cast off. The motto "Sic semper tyrannis" translates as "Thus always to tyrants." The message was clear. Virginians saw themselves as standing for the same principles in 1861 which had motivated their forefathers in 1776. By the Fall of 1861 most Virginia regiments had been provided with one of these flags which is, apart from small changes made in 1930, still the basis of the Virginia flag of today.

Our volunteers hail from Flagstaff, Prescott, Chino Valley, Prescott Valley, Dewey, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, Gold Canyon, Coolidge, Glendale, Peoria, Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Buckeye, Tonopah, Maricopa, Tucson, Vail and Hereford in Arizona and from the great states of Virginia, Maryland, Colorado, California, Kansas and Tennessee as well. We have chosen our uniform to match both photographic and written evidence regarding the 1st Virginia Infantry, an attractive style similar to many used by volunteer companies across The South. By aspiring to the portrayal of a company largely made up of Virginia gentlemen we gladly embrace a higher learning curve in terms of etiquette, a level of conversational ability that would be expected of educated persons and the challenges of period portrayals. When we are in uniform and in front of the public then we are also in character. We realize that our high aspirations may always be a work in progress but choose to aspire nevertheless. Though we are able to represent other units and other theaters if required, our main impression which we favor is the 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry, a famed unit made up of primarily of gentlemen from Richmond and Henrico County which served admirably in the Army of Northern Virginia.

As historical reenactors and living historians we have a desire for a greater experience of our own heritage and an opportunity to educate and inspire the public with the same. However, we are not interested in revisiting the bitterness of the Civil War and do not consider those on the other "side" as enemies but rather as friends and fellow reenactors with the same educational goal. In fact the 1st Virginia Infantry and 1st Minnesota Infantry form together a seamless educational team for reenactments, schools, educational events and community service. We are nonpolitical and have neither dues nor a burdensome organizational structure, but are a voluntary association of gentlemen of high ideals. We also respect the value of everyone's time and hold only occasional meetings for specific purposes. We are "family friendly" and wholeheartedly welcome and encourage appropriate involvement of civilian ladies, civilian gentlemen and children. If there is a reenacting group that has more beautiful ladies and children than the 1st Virginia we haven't seen it! :o)

The First Virginia Volunteer Infantry is proud to represent Civil War reenacting in Arizona and regularly represents in major events on the East Coast as well. We are family-friendly, education and service oriented and have grown to over 100 soldiers and civilians. Beyond battlefield participation at educational, family-focused events such as our American Heritage Festival and living history education days in support of Arizona and Virginia families most of us also take part in social activities such as historic period Balls sponsored by We Make History. We support positive Civil War reenacting and respect and work with those who behave safely, responsibly and respectfully as we seek to inspire and educate others regarding this salient period of American History.

Email us us or see our Joining Page for details as to how you too can portray history as a defender of Virginia - "The Old Dominion".