Welcome to The Donegal Township Riflemen, Inc.

The Donegal Township Riflemen Inc. is a non-profit historical educational corporation established in 1992. Our goals are to encourage the study of our nation’s 18th century history, honor our heritage and assist in the preservation of historic sites.

These goals are pursued through the portrayal of 18th century life, both civilian and military at historic sites, schools and military reenactments open to the public. Our military portrayals include the Donegal Township Riflemen and the Pennsylvania State Regiment for The American Revolutionary War time period, and the Donegal Militia and the Milice de la Belle Riviere for the French and Indian War time period. Through these four military units we strive to share the experiences of 18th century life and our early history of this nation.

We are family oriented and women and children are an important part of this organization. Their portrayal of camp followers and civilian townspeople serve to enhance our ability to educate the public about 18th century life.

Donegal Township Riflemen

As Donegal Township Riflemen and their camp followers, we provide a close up view of those men, women and children from Lancaster County Pennsylvania who lived, sacrificed and experienced the struggle for our nation’s independence during the time of the American Revolution.

Pennsylvania State Regiment (PSR)

Reenacting the Pennsylvania State Regiment, our unit is a proud member of The Continental Line; a highly respected well known organization of over 70 Revolutionary War reenacting units. As the PSR we participate at one or more Line events annually and represent a company of troops paid and under the control of the Continental Congress in 1777-78.

Donegal Militia

During the French and Indian War and Pontiacs Rebellion men from Lancaster County served as Provincial Militia. These men helped to protect the citizens and the Provincial Quaker government of Pennsylvania. These militia men served as scouts and rangers and helped to build fortifications such as Fort Hunter, Fort Augusta and Fort Halifax to name but a few.

La Milice de la Belle Riviere

Our most commonly done portrayal of a unit during the French and Indian War is that of the Milice de la Belle Riviere or formally, La Compagnie de la Milice de Montreal sur la Belle Riviere, ( Company of Montreal Militia on the Ohio River.) This milice unit served in western Pennsylvania, constructing frontier fortifications for the French and helped secure disputed territory for the French King until late 1759.

Participating in the overwhelming defeat of British General Braddock and his army near Fort Duquesne in 1755, this militia with their Native American Allies demonstrated a new form of woods fighting tactics on the North American Continent. The Milice de la Belle Riviere reflects the European adaptation to the new world and the skills needed for survival.

Woodland Allies

Some of our members portray Woodland Indian Allies. Their dedication to an accurate portrayal is evident in their clothing, kit and their often shaven heads. Painted for war, these woodlands weather allied with the French Milice or the Donegal Militia add an unmatched authenticity to our unit’s portrayal of the 18th century.