Grand Exhibition of Classical and Historical Fencing

Experience the art & science of fencing through an exhibition of 19th century fencing equipment & demonstrations of various weapon systems.

Escape the digital, the virtual, and the artificial and experience the analog, the physical, and the reality of the quintessential western martial art: The Art and Science of Fencing.

• A collection of authentic 19th-century fencing equipment on display
• Live demonstrations of several weapon systems
• A talk with stories from New York's Gilded Age fencing scene

Take a step back in time to the Gilded Age in New York City, when the Brooklyn Bridge first opened, the Statue of Liberty was unveiled, the Waldorf Astoria and Carnegie Hall opened, and the New York Public Library was founded. It was a time when wealthy, powerful families such as the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers influenced the cultural and industrial growth of the city. During this period, fencing became a fashionable pastime for the wealthy. The growing interest in sports for health led to women taking up the art and science in great numbers. Fencing equipment such as foils, gloves, masks, and jackets could be easly found in various sporting goods stores such as Peck and Snyder, Spalding, or J.H. Lau & Co.

We cordially invite the public to join us to view cultural artifacts and witness demonstrations of fencing. These exhibits will accompany a talk describing anecdotes of important fencing events during this amazingly diverse period of history. We also invite you to consider a question: why was fencing so popular and why has it survived to an age when we no longer carry swords for self-defense or in warfare? Perhaps because, like only a handful of subjects and activities, it is both art and science. At its core, fencing is a personal expression, guided by empirical rules which are informed by the technical mastery of the individual.

We look forward to your presence at this annual event as we continue sharing the depth, importance, and fascination with the art and science of classical and historical fencing. Time will be set aside for Questions and Answers.