About the BVMA . . .

The Burning of the Valleys Military Association was born in 1990. It was the continuation of the committee that had accomplished a three day reenactment/commemoration of the 1780 Johnson/Brant raid on the Schoharie and Mohawk Valleys, hence the name, Burning of the Valleys. See BVMA History for more information about the birth of the BVMA.

The BVMA is a confederation of units representing Revolutionary War units. Primarily these units are based in the areas of the Mohawk Valley and the Hudson River/Lake Champlain corridor. Recently units from Massachusetts and Connecticut have also become members.

The BVMA is composed of Congressional and Crown units. Currently 30 units are members, and have an aggregate membership of almost 400 men, women and children. At BVMA sponsored and supported events the military side of eighteenth century life is presented with the coordination of the elected and appointed officers of the BVMA. Civilian life is presented in programs sponsored by the Behind the Lines arm of the BVMA. Its members portray the noncombatant side of eighteenth century life.

Member units are dedicated to education and the commemoration of local history through Living History. Yearly, BVMA delegates target several events where members will cooperate for a large event. Previous events accomplished by the BVMA are:

1990: Reenactment of Johnson/Brant Raid; three days of ceremonies and battles on original sites over 60 miles from beginning to end.
1991: Reenactment of the Battle of Johnstown.
1992: The BVMA began its annual coordination of Schuylerville's Eighteenth Century Days, which continues to present.
1993: Reenactment of the gathering of Clinton's Brigade at Canajoharie, New York, as part of the 1779 Campaign agains the Iroquois.
1995: The BVMA began its close cooperation with Fort Ticonderoga to stage what has become the annual reenactment of Col. Brown's Raid of 1777.
1995: The BVMA staged a reenactment of the 1780 Johnson/Brant Raid Again! Another three-day effort on sites separated by miles.
1996: Reenactment of the Battle of Johnsotown, again, but bigger and better.
1997: The BVMA, in cooperation with the Living History Association, reenacted the major events of the 1777 Northern Campaign - Mount Independence, Hubbardton, Bennington, Fort Ticonderoga and the Battles of Saratoga. The Turning Point 1777 event was the largest and most ambitious event since the 150th Anniversary Event in 1927. Closing the season was Kingston, held in cooperation with the British Brigade.
1998-2001: The BVMA continued to reenact events at Schoharie, Fort Ticonderoga, Kingston, Hubbardton and many others.
2002: The focus in 2002 was once again the 1777 Northern Campaign, commemorating the 225th Anniversary of events in that year.
2003: This year the focus will be the beginning of the three year period known as "the Destructives", as we commemorate the 225th Anniversary of the 1778 raids in the valleys, including the 'Cobuskill Massacre' in May, the raid on German Flatts in September, and the 'Cherry Valley Massacre' in November (to be reenacted in October). See the 2003 Schedule for more information on this year's events.

Throughout the years the BVMA has worked annually with Old Stone Fort in Schoharie, Johnson Hall in Johnstown, and also with numerous other sites in the Upper New York State area.

The BVMA continues to grow. The BVMA will continue to preserve and present Revolutionary War and 18th Century Living History well into the 21st Century.

For more information about the history of the BVMA and it's mission and goals, also see