Explore the Frontlines, Discover Camp Life at Franklin County Civil War Days, Sept. 6-8
Franklin County, Va. (PRWEB) August 13, 2013 -- Take a step back in time as you explore the history, discover camp life, and relive battles from the front lines at Franklin County Civil War Days, Sept. 6-8 at Lakewatch Plantation in Moneta.
The third annual event will feature military demonstrations with notable re-enactors, including portrayals of General Jubal A. Early, General Robert E. Lee and General J.E.B. Stuart, living history presentations, redneck polo, a fashion show and tea, a church program, a variety of vendors including artisans, authors and food, and much more. Festivities also will include a dinner and barn dance at 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7.
Event admission is $5 for patrons age 12 and older, $2 for patrons age 5-11 and free for patrons age 4 and younger. Camp will open daily at 9 a.m. Dinner and barn dance tickets are $10 each before Aug. 15 and $15 each or $25 per couple afterwards (and at the door).
Each year, opening day is reserved for students from throughout the region who learn about the Civil War through living history and military demonstrations, and relate those lessons to materials studied in the classroom. Participation is coordinated with public and private school officials, in addition to homeschool facilitators.
The event continues through the weekend with an array of other demonstrations and interactive activities.
“As in previous years, hopefully our 2013 Franklin County Civil War Days will be as successful and inviting as a weekend activity of commemoration of the 1860 period, which tore our country apart and the aftermath of its rebuilding into a stronger, more just and pluralistic country, which is continuing to evolve,” said Philip Sheridan, chairperson of the Franklin County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee.
While there were no Civil War battles fought on local soil, Franklin County was home to two leaders of the era – Confederate General Jubal A. Early, whose home place is on the National Registry of Historic Places and scholar Booker T. Washington who was born a slave on a plantation that is now the Booker T. Washington National Monument.
Also of historical significance is the Washington Iron Works – a frontier iron works and furnace that saw resurgence in 1865 to produce cannon shot for the Confederacy. It represents one of the most intact and maintained furnaces from the Virginia frontier and also is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Civil War Days is coordinated by the Franklin County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee in conjunction with the County of Franklin. The event is among local efforts in support of the statewide commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Virginia’s participation in the American Civil War. Related events and programs throughout the state are a part of this comprehensive initiative which began in 2009 under the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission and continues through 2015.
For more information about Civil War Days, to purchase dinner and barn dance tickets, to register re-enactors or to learn more about things to see and do in Franklin County, visit http://www.VisitFranklinCountyVa.org.
Tarah Holland, Franklin County Office of Economic Dev., http://www.visitfranklincountyva.org, +1 540-483-3040, [email protected]
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