A living history portrayal of the activities, pursuit and arrest of Aaron Burr near Baldwin County in 1807 is slated March 15 at Baldwin County Bicentennial Park, currently under construction on State Road 225 about two miles north of I-65.

Between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p,m,, visitors can view a recreation of Burr’s travels in the Baldwin County area and his capture and arrest for treason, according to Baldwin County archivist John Jackson.

The acting troupe also will replicate “camps” used by Burr and the men assigned to capture him.

“Allowing the participants to camp on the site will give them the opportunity to properly set up their encampments and completely immerse themselves in the event,” Jackson said.

About 25 members of the Aaron Burr Society from Connecticut also will participate in the event, along with Eli Chandler, of Elberta, a re-enactment actor who has appeared on the History Channel and in numerous movies, Jackson said.

Burr, born in 1756, and a former vice president of the U.S., challenged and mortally woulded Alexander Hamilton in a duel at Weehawken, N.J., on July 11, 1804.

He was indicted for murder but never tried. He was arrested and tried for treason in August 1807 for attempting to form a republic in the Southwest which he planned to head. He was acquitted.

The re-enactment is the inaugural event at the pristine, 367-acre park north of Bay Minette which county officials hope to transform into a recreational and educational complex featuring period structures, boardwalks, recreation and historical working exhibits.

When completed, the project is expected to draw tourists, conventioneers and students from throughout the Southeast.

By the end of 2008, a boat launch with restrooms, a bath house and small store should be open at Bicentennial Park and Village, along with a primitive camping area, Jackson said. A recreational vehicle camping area also will be in place by December 2008.

That project will be funded by a $1 million grant from the Coastal Impact Assistance Program, Jackson said.

A $2 million, two-story museum also should be completed by the end of 2009 on the northern 56 acres of the park. The first floor will display artifacts from throughout the county, while the second floor will contain meeting rooms and classrooms for educational functions.

University of South Alabama archaeologists now are conducting a survey near the boat launch to study evidence of Indian occupation, Jackson said. That area will not be disturbed by construction.

The Baldwin County Commission granted permission for re-enactors to camp overnight during the event, but the area is not open to the public for camping.

Jackson said a long-term park ordinance with specific rules and regulations pertaining to park camping must be in place before public camping is authorized.

For more information, contact Nick Warren at (251) 580-1826.