The Civil War re-enactment for 2014 is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22 at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum. The Encampment will be open to visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days. This outdoor event features Civil War re-enactors encamped with all the trappings of the 1860’s. Demonstrations of camp life including crafts, cooking over an open fire, needlework, and a blacksmith will be on hand.
Special attraction this year: Meet General Lee! On both Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in the meeting room of the museum General Robert E. Lee will be presenting a talk. Come learn about his life and his participation in the War Between the States. During the rest of the 2 days of the re-enactment he will be visiting as he walks around the camp and by his tent.
Immediately following the General’s talk on Saturday only, at 2:00 P.M. the Civil War ladies will have a tea that will include a discussion on Civil War fashions, Croquet on the lawn, iced tea punch, tea sandwiches and cookies. The public is invited.
Artillery drills will be held both days. At 3 P.M. on Saturday there will be a battle in the field south of the museum. On Sunday there will be a skirmish in front of the museum building at 2:30 P.M.
On Saturday evening, a Civil War Ball will be held on the veranda in front of the museum from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M., weather permitting. If not, it will be held inside on the lower level of the museum. The public is welcome to attend. Refreshments of General Oglethorpe’s Orange cake, as well as various cookies and punch will be served in the meeting room of the museum. The re-enactors will listen to the music and dance instructions of Susan Brown & Company. Enjoy the grace and beauty of this event and feel free to take photographs.
Sunday morning at 11 A.M., a program on the “Grand Army of the Republic” presented by the David D. Porter Camp, SUVCW, will be held in the meeting room of the museum.
Food will again be for sale from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. during the two day event by B&J’s American Café at the rear of the building. Picnic tables are provided.
The current display “Grandma’s Coverlets: Weaving Memories” featuring coverlets from the 19th century is on exhibit throughout the museum. Also on display is the Historical Society’s own collection of Civil War memorabilia, as well as the W.A. Jones Collection of Ancient Weapons.
Admission Cost: $5 per carload gets the re-enactment and admission to the museum. Schedules will be provided at the gate. The Historical Society will be having an information booth on the grounds. Civil War souvenirs will be for sale at the booth.
The La Porte County Historical Society Museum is located at 2405 Indiana Ave. in La Porte and is accessible to those with disabilities. Call us at 219-324-6767 for more information, or visit our website at www.laportecountyhistory.org and click on our FaceBook page.
Saturday June 21
9:00 a.m. - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Impromptu demonstrations of camp life, weaponry, etc. begin for "modern civilians" wandering into camp.
11:30 a.m. - Artillery Drill!
1:00 p.m. - "Meet General Lee" Located in the Meeting Room of the museum.
2:00 p.m. - Ladies' Tea in the meeting room of the museum. All are invited!
3:00 p.m. - SKIRMISH! In the field south of the building
4:00 p.m. - CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
7:00-9:00 p.m. - CIVIL WAR BALL!
On the veranda, weather permitting. Dance to the music of Susan Brown and Co. Public is invited. Cake and punch in the meeting room.
Sunday, June 23
9:00 a.m. - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
10:00 a.m. - Church Service.
11:00 a.m. - “Grand Army of the Republic” Program. Located in the meeting room of the museum. Presented by David D. Porter Camp, SUVCW.
11:30 a.m. - Artillery Drill
1:00 p.m. - “Meet General Lee!” in the museum meeting room.
2:30 p.m. - SKIRMISH! In yard in front of the museum.
4:00 p.m. - CLOSED TO PUBLIC
