Civil War Reenactment at Hale Farm & Village

Hale Farm & Village, a museum of Western Reserve Historical Society, brings the Civil War to life at the 21st annual Civil War Encampment and Reenactment, August 12-14, 2011. More than 400 reenactors are expected to participate, making this one of the largest annual Civil War events in Ohio. Guests will meet soldiers and civilians, hear the sounds of battle, smell the gunpowder, shake hands with President Lincoln, and shop for a hoopskirt.

From 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14, 2011, guests will relive the American Civil War experience. At 2:00 pm daily, the recreation of Civil War battles in the museum’s North Pasture is just one feature of the event. A cannon, on loan from the Ohio Statehouse, will roar across the re-created battlefield amidst the soldiers, smoke, and gunfire. Cavalry will charge as the battle unfolds just yards away.

Guests experience the entire flavor and ambience of the Civil War era: soldier skirmishes, appearances by “President Lincoln”, performances by the Camp Chase Fife & Drum Corps, the US Cavalry, a dinner with Abraham Lincoln, and the 3rd annual Hale Civil War Ball. They will meet the men and women who reenact this seminal event in the nation’s history when visiting Union and Confederate soldier and civilian camps, witness the medical practices of the era, and shop along Sutler’s Row for unique items such as shoes, corsets, dresses, foods, and other fine goods from the period.

Discounted advance general admission tickets are available for purchase at www.halefarm.org. General admission will also be at the gate. Tickets are $10 per adult/senior and $5 per child age 3-12. Children 2 & under and WRHS members are FREE. A 2-day Civil War Pass is available for $15 per adult/senior and $7.50 per child age 3-12. Group rates for parties of 15 people or more are available. Call 330-666-3711.

On Friday, August 12th visitors can get a behind-the-scenes look at the move-in and preparation that takes place for the weekend events. They can watch the reenactors set up and prepare for the weekend, the cavalry arrival, the northern and southern camps being built, and the bustle of staff preparing for the Farm’s biggest event of the year. This day is also perfect for media to capture the magic that goes into the creation of this event. Please contact Angie Lowrie to arrange a visit. alowrie@wrhs.org.