(Photo and info provided)
This year’s Civil War Days at the LaPorte County Historical Society Museum will include visits from General Robert E. Lee himself, June 21 and 22.
The event will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days on the museum grounds, 2405 Indiana Ave., LaPorte. (See complete schedule for both days below.)
Bring the family to visit with Civil War re-enactors in historically realistic camps who will demonstrate crafts, open-fire cooking, needlework, blacksmithing and more. Yanks and Rebs will also recreate military clashes.
General Lee will give presentations Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. in the meeting room of the museum. Come learn about his participation in the War Between the States. He’ll also visit with guests on the grounds both days.
Saturday at 2 p.m., the Civil War ladies will host a tea that will include a discussion on Civil War fashions, croquet on the lawn, punch, tea sandwiches and cookies.
Artillery drills will be held both days: Saturday at 3 p.m. when a battle will erupt in the field south of the museum, and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. when a skirmish will break out in front of the museum.
On Saturday, a Civil War Ball will be held on the veranda in front of the museum from 7 to 9 p.m., weather permitting. If not, it will be held inside on the lower level of the museum. Refreshments will be served.
Sunday 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.
Food provided by B&J’s American Cafe will be available for purchase both days.
Admission cost each day is $5 per carload, which includes all events as well as admission to the museum. Schedules will be provided at the gate.
The museum is accessible to those with disabilities. For more information, call 219-324-6767 and visit www.laportecountyhistory.org.
COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Saturday, June 21
– 9 a.m.: Camp opens. Demonstrations of camp life,
weaponry, etc., begin for modern civilians wandering into camp
– 11:30 a.m.: Artillery drill
– 1 p.m.: Meet General Lee in the museum’s meeting room
– 2 p.m.: Ladies’ Tea in the meeting room
– 3 p.m.: Military skirmish in the field south of the building
– 4 p.m.: Camp closes on grounds
– 7 to 9 p.m.: Civil War Ball on museum veranda, weather permitting. Dance to the music of Susan Brown and Co. Cake and punch in the meeting room.
Sunday, June 22
– 9 a.m.: Camp opens on grounds
– 10 a.m.: Church service
– 11 a.m.: Grand Army of the Republic program in museum meeting room, presented by David D. Porter Camp, SUVCW
– 11:30 a.m.: Artillery drill
– 1 p.m.: Meet General Lee in museum meeting room
– 2:30 p.m.: Military skirmish in museum yard
– 4 p.m.: Event closes