2008 Events Calendar

January 12, 2008

Fort Fisher 143rd Anniversary Commemoration of the 2nd Battle at Ft. Fisher in Kure Beach
The annual commemoration of the 2nd battle at Ft. Fisher will be a living history program that includes artillery demonstrations, 10 am to 4 pm. Please call 910-458-5538 for more details.

January 13, 2008

Military Historian Ed Bearss to Speak in New Bern
Nationally-recognized Civil War historian Ed Bearss will share his flair for entertaining and educating the public about military history at an upcoming lecture entitled “North Carolina and the First Day of Gettysburg” on January 13, 2008, at the Masonic Theater located at 516 Hancock Street in downtown New Bern, NC. The presentation will begin at 2 pm. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from the New Bern Historical Society at 512 Pollock Street, or by calling (252) 638-8558.

February 16-17, 2008

Civil War demonstrations, Brunswick Town/Ft. Anderson in Winnabow, NC
Staff and volunteers in period Civil War clothing will interpret the events leading up to and following the battle of Fort Anderson, on February 19, 1865. Approximately 100 Confederates, Federals and civilians will be on hand talking about the War Between the States and its impact on southeastern North Carolina. Cannons will be fired on the hour and muskets on the half hour. Special talks on the fort will be given by noted local historians along with guided tours of the fort, the most pristine earthen Civil War fortification in the country! Kids of all ages will get a chance to get hands on experience doing Napoleonic tactics, as well as get to see a demonstration of the evolution of American weapons during the Civil War from swords to repeating rifles. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated! For more information, call the site at (910) 371-6613

February 23-24, 2008

US Colored Troops Symposium and 143rd Battle of Forks Road.
The winter 2008 Symposium on the United States Colored Troops will be held in Wilmington Feb. 21-24. The Symposium features presentations and exhibits from national and regional historians, storytellers, Civil War scholars, Forks Road re-enactment, encampment, museum directors, cultural interpreters, and history buffs revolving around the participatory role of African Americans in the Civil War. To find out more, visit http://www.uscoloredtroops.org/, or contact Malcolm Beech at (252) 522-4660 or via beecheagle@hotmail.com.

March 1- 2, 2008

Roanoke Island Festival Park 1862-A Civil War Living History Weekend
A Civil War Living History Weekend at the Outdoor Pavilion and Mall will commemorate the 146th Anniversary of the Battle of Roanoke Island at Roanoke Island Festival Park. The seventh annual festival will feature Union and Confederate re-enactors and Civil War era-sailors and civilians. Other events include period activities such as artillery demonstrations, drills, living history encampments, blacksmithing, woodworking, crafts, presentation, lectures, a Civil War surgeon, a Union enlistment station, book signings, period music performances and children’s activities., 10am -5 pm. For more information, call (252) 475-1500 or visit us on-line at www.roanokeisland.com.

March 13, 2008

The Battle of New Bern, Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens, New Bern, NC
Guest speaker is Paul Switzer, Tryon Palace character interpreter. On March 14, 1862, Confederate and Union clashed in the Battle of New Bern. By that night, federal forces had pushed the Confederates out of the city. The fall of New Bern brought dramatic social and political changes for the town’s residents. This program examines some of the challenges and opportunities that New Bernians faced under Union occupation. To be held in the Visitor Center Auditorium at 7 pm.

March 15-16, 2008

Averasboro Battlefield 143rd Anniversary Battle Reeactment
Averasboro Battlefield Commission, Inc. is proud to announce the 143rd Anniversary Re-enactment of the Battle of Averasboro. The event will be held at the battleground and museum. For more information, call 910-891-5019 or visit www.averasboro.com.

April 26, 2008

State Capitol. “Raleigh Occupied” Living History Event.
A Civil War era troop encampment and character interpretations will recall the 1865 occupation of the state capital by Union Gen. William T. Sherman. Visitors will meet costumed interpreters portraying former Governors William A. Graham and David L. Swain, local plantation wife Margaret Devereux, Union Signal Corp Officer George Round, and newly-freed slave Ellick Moore. Characters are based on personal letters, diaries, and period accounts. Reservations encouraged at (919) 733-4994. Tours slated for 10 am, 11 am, 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm.

April 26-27, 2008

Bennett Place, Durham, NC, Anniversary Surrender Commemoration:
This commemorative event marks the largest surrender of the American Civil War, an event that helped reunify the nation. Visit Bennett Place and meet the generals who convened here and signed the papers, which made them prominent figures in history. A memorial ceremony will be held at the Unity Monument on Sunday. Living history programs will be held throughout the weekend. The visitor center is open with a museum gallery interpreting the life of the Bennett family and the events of the surrender. The theater presentation "Dawn of Peace," will be shown throughout the day, and the museum gift shop will also be open with a variety of Civil War related souvenirs and collectibles. Admission is FREE and donations graciously accepted. For more information, please call the site at 919-383-4345.

May 17, 2008

Historic Edenton. Civil War Era Maritime Living History program.
In conjunction with Ship’s Company of the Roanoke, the site will present a Civil War Era Maritime History Program conducted on the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse green, 10 am – 4 pm.

May 20, 2008

Bennett Place, Durham, NC. Confederate Memorial Day (NC Observance).
Meet Confederate soldiers as they discuss what Confederate Memorial Day means to them. 10 am - 4 pm.

May 24, 2008

Bennett Place, Durham, NC. Memorial Day Remembrance.
Meet Union soldiers as they discuss the days after the surrender and what Memorial Day means to them. 10 am - 4 pm.

June 21, 2008

Ft. Fisher at Kure Beach, NC. Start of Summer Artillery Program.
Come and watch the fort’s cannons be fired as visitors learn about the artillery at the fort. Volunteers and interpreters will be dressed in Civil War costumes. All demonstrations are subject to change. Please call 910-458-5538 for more details.

July 19-20, 2008

Bennett Place, Durham, NC, Union Occupation in the Carolinas
Historically, Reconstruction ended in North Carolina on July 4, 1868. Join Union soldiers at Bennett Place as they discuss the days after the surrender and Reconstruction in the South. Living Historians will demonstrate life of the Northern soldiers who served under General Sherman at the close of the American Civil War. Soldiers will be encamped around the Bennett Farm throughout the weekend. The visitor center is open with a museum gallery interpreting the life of the Bennett family and the events of the surrender. The theater presentation "Dawn of Peace," will be shown throughout the day, and the museum gift shop will also be open with a variety of Civil War related souvenirs and collectibles. Admission is free and donations graciously accepted. For more information, please call the site at 919-383-4345.

August 23-24, 2008

Bennett Place, Durham, NC, Soldiers of the Old North State
Historians will demonstrate life of the Southern soldiers who served the Old North State during the American Civil War. Visit with Confederate soldiers as they discuss and exhibit the uniforms and equipment of North Carolina soldier. Soldiers will be encamped around the Bennett Farm throughout the weekend. The visitor center is open with a museum gallery interpreting the life of the Bennett family and the events of the surrender. Admission is FREE and donations graciously accepted. For more information, please call the site at 919-383-4345.

October 11-12, 2008

Bennett Place, Durham, NC Soldiers and Civilians, Life in the Carolinas During the Civil War
Experience what life was like for civilians and soldiers in the Piedmont Carolinas during the time of the American Civil War. Civilians will demonstrate domestic chores such as cooking, gardening, sewing and cleaning, while soldiers share their stories of enlistment, and their life in the Confederate army. There will also be games and activities for the young and old to include sack races, horse shoe throwing, and more. The visitor center will be open with a museum gallery interpreting the life of the Bennett family and the events of the surrender. The theater presentation "Dawn of Peace," is shown throughout the day, and the museum gift shop will also be open. Admission is FREE and donations graciously accepted. For more information, please call the site at 919-383-4345.

December 13-14, 2008

Bennett Place, Durham, NC, Christmas in the Carolinas During the Civil War
Visit Bennett Place during the holiday season and witness how Christmas was celebrated in the Piedmont Carolinas. The farm will be decorated in a typical Christmas fashion. Music, caroling, and refreshments will be served. The visitor center is open with a museum gallery interpreting the life of the Bennett family and the events of the surrender. The theater presentation "Dawn of Peace," is shown throughout the day, and the museum gift shop is also open. Admission is FREE and donations graciously accepted. For more information, please call the site at 919-383-4345.

Please note that dates, events, or times may be subject the change.