Corps History – Page 3 – The Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums Alumni Association

December 30, 2019January 7, 2020

Chapter 2

The First Generation 1958-1959

By 1958 the Militia was performing regularly at special events, but without a fife and drum corps. A decision was made to bring a recognized New England fife and drum corps to perform during the 1958 Prelude to Independence ceremonies in May. One of the oldest and best New England corps was chosen, the Lancraft Fife and Drum Corps from North Haven, Connecticut. The Lancraft Corps put on an impressive performance with the Militia for the Prelude to Independence ceremonies. The visit demonstrated how a viable fife and drum corps could perform with the Militia and add a significant dimension to the ceremony or performance and thus improve the visitors’ experience.

November 30, 2019January 7, 2020

Chapter 3 George P. Carroll Connects with the CWF&D – 1960

The second performance of the Lancraft Fife and Drum Corps in 1959 also involved another very important piece of the Corps’ history. Attending the performance as a spectator was George P. Carroll, a 26 year old Specialist 5 in The U.S. Army Band at Ft. Meyer, Virginia.

October 30, 2019January 7, 2020

Chapter 4 The CWF&D Grows: 1960-1962

In February 1960, the Corps (only 10 members and playing only a few tunes) performed for the Virginia Governor and General Assembly while they met in Williamsburg and also for stockholders of the C & O Railway annual meeting, also in Williamsburg. Fifer J.P. Cottingham and drummer Dallas Hodge joined in April and fifers Bruce Robertson and Stetson Tinkam joined in June.

September 30, 2019January 7, 2020

Chapter 5 Two of America’s Preeminent Fife and Drum Corps – the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums and the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps Share Common Roots and Legacy

The Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums made its first performance by two fifers and two drummers on July 4, 1958. During the 1960’s the CW Corps became one of the preeminent fife and drum corps in America, playing traditional historic music and wearing Revolutionary War uniforms. Over the years the CW Corps, which celebrates its 60^th anniversary in 2018, has become an iconic symbol of Colonial Williamsburg itself.

August 30, 2019January 7, 2020

Chapter 6 CWF&D Comes of Age: 1963 – 1967

During 1963, the Corps continued to perform at regular Militia musters and special events. In July the Corps traveled to Agawam, Massachusetts, to enter the Fife, Drum and Bugle Association Muster, sending 19 members of the Senior Corps and 14 members of the Junior Corps. The Corps also returned to Deep River for the second time for the 90^th Deep River Ancient Muster and to the Southeastern States Ancient Muster for the fourth, and last, time.