2009 Events Calendar

April 4, 2009

Civil War Park Day, Bennett Place State Historic Site, Durham, NC
This is a national workday for volunteers to help clean up their local Civil War site. Projects include gardening, cleaning of park grounds, clearing nature trails, and other preservation opportunities. 10 am- 4 pm. For more information, contact 919-383-4345.

April 25-26, 2009

Anniversary Surrender Commemoration, Bennett Place State Historic Site, Durham, NC
This commemorative event marks the largest surrender of the Civil War, which helped reunify the United States. Visit Bennett Place, where the generals convened to sign the papers, which made them prominent figures in history. Living history programs and lectures will be held throughout the weekend. Saturday 10 am- 4 pm, Sunday 10 am- 3 pm. For more information, contact 919-383-4345.

April 26, 2009

Confederate Memorial Day Service, Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, Four Oaks, NC
A memorial service will be held near the Confederate mass grave across from the Visitor’s Center. The Harper House-Bentonville Chapter of the UDC and Bentonville Battlefield will host the service at 3 pm. Call for information 910-594-0789 or bentonville@ncmail.net

May 16, 2009

Civil War-era Maritime Living History Program, Historic Edenton.
Civil War era maritime living history program conducted on the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse Green. 10 am- 4 pm.

May 16, 2009

Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, Four Oaks, NC.
Summer Seasonal Living History Program and Artillery Demonstrations. Costumed living historians from the 18th NC and 53rd PA will conduct weapons demonstrations and hold discussions on the lives of the average Civil War soldier. Highly trained volunteers will also demonstrate the loading and firing of a 3” Ordnance Rifle, a popular Civil War cannon. All demonstrations are subject to change without notice. Call for information 910-594-0789 or bentonville@ncmail.net. 10-4 p.m.

May 23, 2009

Memorial Day Remembrance, Bennett Place State Historic Site, Durham, NC.
Memorial Day began in small communities, which recognized those soldiers who gave their lives during the American Civil War. Join Civil War soldier interpreters as they discuss the history and significance of Memorial Day. 10 am - 4 pm. For more information, contact 919-383-4345.

June 1 to mid-August, 2009

Mary Holloway Seasonal Interpreter, Ft. Fisher State Historic Site, Kure Beach, NC.
At scheduled times during the day a costumed guide will offer tours of the remains of the fort, concluding with a small arms weapons demonstration. The seasonal interpreter program is named in honor of the site’s first tour guide. For information call or email: (910) 458-5538 or fisher@ncmail.net.

June 6, 2009

Summer Seasonal Living History Program and Artillery Demonstrations, Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, Four Oaks, NC.
Costumed living historians from the 1st /11th NC Troops will conduct weapons demonstrations and hold discussions on the lives of the average Civil War soldier. Highly trained volunteers will also demonstrate the loading and firing of a 3” Ordnance Rifle, a popular Civil War cannon. All demonstrations are subject to change without notice. Call for information 910-594-0789 or bentonville@ncmail.net.10-4 p.m.

June 27, 2009

Garrison Life at Fort Fisher, Ft. Fisher State Historic Site, Kure Beach, NC.
Staff and volunteers in period costume engage visitors in daily life in the Confederate garrison. Learn about the activities and duties performed by soldiers in the fort as you watch infantry and artillery demonstrations. Highlighting the event will be the firing of the 32 pound rifled and banded cannon at Shepherd’s Battery. For information call or email: (910) 458-5538 or fisher@ncmail.net. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

July 18-10, 2009

Union Occupation in the Carolinas, Bennett Place State Historic Site, Durham, NC.
Historically, Reconstruction ended in NC 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 Civil War. Soldiers will be encamped around the Bennett Farm throughout the weekend. Saturday 10 am- 4 pm, Sunday 10 am-3 pm.

August 22, 2009

Summer Seasonal Living History Program and Artillery Demonstrations, Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, Four Oaks, NC.
Costumed living historians from the 27th NC Troops will conduct weapons demonstrations and hold discussions on the lives of the average Civil War soldier. Highly trained volunteers will also demonstrate the loading and firing of a 3” Ordnance Rifle, a popular Civil War cannon. All demonstrations are subject to change without notice. Call for information 910-594-0789 or bentonville@ncmail.net. 10-4 p.m.

August 22-23, 2009

Soldiers of the Old North State, Bennett Place State Historic Site, Durham, NC.
Living 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. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, contact 919-383-4345.

October 3, 2009

Fall Civilian Living History Program, Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, Four Oaks, NC.
Costumed living historians will demonstrate a variety of mid 19th century domestic skills such as open hearth cooking, sewing, natural dyeing, spinning, and knitting. There will also be discussions throughout the day regarding the hardships that the common southern lady endured as she did her best to provide for her family during the Civil War. All demonstrations are subject to change without notice. Call for information 910-594-0789 or bentonville@ncmail.net 10-4 p.m.

October 10, 2009

Civilian program: Hardships on the Home Front, Fort Fisher, Kure Beach, NC.
Civilians in the lower Cape Fear region faced many hardships during the years of the Civil War. Soldiers and civilians alike dealt with shortages of necessary supplies, deadly epidemics, and more. Learn about the interactions between soldiers and locals in this new annual program. For information call or email: (910) 458-5538 or fisher@ncmail.net. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

October 10-11, 2009

Road To Secession, Bennett Place State Historic Site, Durham, NC.
Experience what life was like for the people of Piedmont North Carolina during the beginning months of the Civil War. A recruitment station and encampment will be set up on the grounds of the Bennett Farm, much like camps established throughout North Carolina and the South, recruiting men to defend the Southern cause. 19th century civilian interpreters will enlist in the army and be transformed into soldiers. Other civilian interpreters will demonstrate domestic chores such as cooking, gardening, sewing for their husbands and sons heading off to war. Soldiers will share their stories of enlistment, and their new life in the Confederate army. Visitors will have the opportunity to "enlist" and become soldiers as well. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, contact 919-383-4345.

December 5, 2009

Christmas Open House, Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, Four Oaks, NC.
Costumed interpreters will decorate the kitchen in festive themes, such as holly and magnolia branches, cotton stalks, various fruits and cranberry and popcorn strands, and serve cookies and hot cider. Also on hand, costumed military interpreters will be available to discuss how the common solider spent his time on furlough with friends and family. All demonstrations are subject to change without notice. Call for information 910-594-0789 or bentonville@ncmail.net 10-4 p.m.

December 12-13, 2009

147th Battle Anniversary Reenactment, Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield, Goldsboro, NC.
Camp and fight on the 1862 battlefield, located off Old Mt. Olive Highway in Goldsboro, NC. For more information and registration, contact Jeff Bockert at 919-581-1040 or visit www.goldsboroughbridge.com.

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