Monroe Museum Village presents Civil War Era Re-enactment on Saturday & Sunday, September 3 & 4.
More than two hundred re-enactors take over the museum grounds for the weekend, bringing history to life. Museum visitors get to witness living history on a grand scale as families prepare their meals and tend to the children, wash laundry and meet their other basic needs. The men, dressed in exacting reproduction uniforms of both Union and Confederate armies, drill for battle and happily stop to explain their arms, clothing, or 1860’s politics to passers-by who show an interest.
Visitors get to stroll through the historic camps of the Union and Confederate soldiers asking questions about uniforms or weapons, lifestyle and their military units. The sutlers, merchants who followed the soldiers and provided goods, will have booths set up with 19th century style merchandise as well as authentic antiques for sale. Fashion shows, riding demonstrations, medical exhibits, and a church service Sunday morning round out the event.
The highlight of each day is the battle re-enactment taking place on the eastern slope of the museum grounds. Canons, artillery, men on horseback and soldiers dodging bullets and sniping from tree cover animate the hillside while onlookers relax in the shade of the trees enjoying their lunch.