LaPorte County Historical Society Museum photos (click to enlarge)
Experience Civil War encampments, battles, entertainment, weaponry and more at the LaPorte County Historical Society Museum’s Civil War re-enactments Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23.
The encampment, authentically recreated by re-enactors, will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days on the museum 
grounds. Demonstrations of camp life including crafts, cooking over an open fire, needlework, and a blacksmith will be displayed. Re-enactors portray specific soldiers and regiments, and have thoroughly researched their lives and military histories. Two battles will be fought on the grounds, one each day. Though black powder will be used in the weapons, no projectiles will be fired. This is a great event for kids and history buffs of any age!
On Saturday, June 22, a Civil War Ball will be held at the museum from 7 to 9 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. Weather permitting, the ball will be held on the veranda in front of the museum building. 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.
On Saturday at 1 p.m., two Civil War generals will tell of their lives during the War Between the States. “The Life & Times of Gen. George Pickett” and “The Legend of Gen. Henry Heth” will be presented in the museum meeting room. Immediately following at 2 p.m., the Civil War ladies will have a tea that will include parlor games.
On Sunday, June 23, at 11 a.m., General Pickett will present his program once more at his tent, and at 1 p.m., General Heth will again be speaking in the meeting room of the museum.
Food by B&J’s American Café will be available for sale on the grounds. Picnic tables are provided.
Museum visitors on these days can also view the current display, “With This Ring …” featuring wedding attire from the mid 20th century 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.
New this year: $5 per carload gets you to the re-enactment and admission to the museum.
CIVIL WAR SCHEDULE
Saturday, June 22
9 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 p.m. — Meet the Generals in the museum meeting room
2 p.m. — Ladies’ Tea in the meeting room
3 p.m. — Skirmish in the field south of the museum
4 p.m. — Encampment closes for the day
7-9 p.m. — Civil War Ball on museum veranda; public is invited
Sunday, June 23
9 a.m. — Open to the public!
10 a.m. — Church service
11 a.m. — “The Life & Times of Gen. George Pickett” at his tent
11:30 a.m. — Artillery drill
1 p.m. — “The Legend of Henry Heth” in the museum meeting room
2:30 p.m. — Skirmish in yard in front of the museum
4 p.m. — Event closes to the public
The La Porte County Historical Society Museum is located at 2405 Indiana Ave., LaPorte, and is accessible to those with disabilities. Call 219-324-6767 and visit www.laportecountyhistory.org.