For Immediate Release
Civil War Weekend at Lincoln Log Cabin June 15-16
LERNA, Ill. – Spend Father’s Day weekend at Lincoln Log Cabin’s annual ‘Civil War Weekend’ on June 15-16 and learn about the men who answered President Lincoln’s call for troops in 1861.
The event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 16.
Visitors can meet with reenactors portraying Union soldiers in their encampment, then watch mounted and dismounted drilling exercises, and learn about the lives of the soldiers as Private Hiram Landrus of the 5th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry provides a personal tour of camp life during the Civil War.
President Lincoln (portrayed by George Buss) and General Grant (portrayed by Curt Fields) will also be visiting the camp and attending the Civil War Ball. Special presentations are scheduled throughout the weekend in the Lincoln Log Cabin Visitor Center auditorium.
At 6:00 on Saturday evening, visitors can mingle with the boys in blue at a Civil War Ball. A dance caller will be teaching mid-to-late 19th century dances, while the Salt Creek String Band plays Civil War era music and instruments under the Visitor Center portico. Period evening attire is encouraged but not necessary. Modern semi-formal attire or attire from other historic eras is also welcomed. Families with children encouraged to attend.
The event schedule is outlined below:
Saturday, June 15
10:00 a.m. Mounted and dismounted drills, 5th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry
11:30 a.m. Skirmish at the Lincoln Farm
1:00 p.m. “Illinois in the Civil War” presented Tom Emery
2:00 p.m. “Haversacks, Saddles, and Sabers… Oh My! A Tour of Soldier Effects and Accoutrements,” presented by Jeremiah Hanley
3:00 p.m. “Civil War Era Music” presented by the Salt Creek String Band
5:00 p.m. “Civil War Medicine and Surgery” presented by Dr. Ruben Boyajian
6:00 p.m. Civil War Ball – Open to the public
Sunday June 16
9:00 a.m. 19th Century Church Service
10:00 a.m. Mounted and dismounted drills, 5th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry
12:00 noon “Haversacks, Saddles, and Sabers… Oh My! A Tour of Soldier Effects and Accoutrements”
2:00 p.m. A Word from General Grant, in the Visitor Center Auditorium
3:00 p.m. Skirmish at the Lincoln Farm
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site is part of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. It re-creates the 19th century home of Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln, father and stepmother of the president. The site is eight miles south of Charleston and is open seven days a week for free public tours.
For more information about the site and its programming call 217-345-1845 or visit www.lincolnlogcabin.org. You can also follow the site on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lincolnlogcabin.
