Welcome to Gem of the Hills Historian, where I am delighted to share my experiences as a living historian as well as my observations about this educational hobby.

I am proud to serve as Captain of the 31st Alabama Infantry / 79th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry - Company E. and have integrated information about my company of living historians into this site in order to give visitors an insight into how we operate and to help others better understand our ongoing mission to teach about a crucial event in the United States' history as well as the soldiers who lived through it.

Fall 2025 Schedule:

Captain Sumner's Schedule - Upcoming Company Events:

Winter Schedule:

Company Christmas Gathering - 12th-13th December, 2025
Hardee Guard Battalion Annual Meeting - 10th January, 2026
Company Winter Meeting - 17th January, 2026 (Officer Elections & Spring, 2026 Schedule Adoption)
The Battle of Olustee - 13th-15th February, 2026, Olustee, FL (Spring Season Kickoff - Pending Approval)