The website doesn't give many details, so I recommend calling if you're thinking of going.
However, all the moms were raving about how wonderful it is. I'm sad that my family will be out of town or we'd be there.
Below is a portion of an email (excuse the format, I'm lazy and just cut/paste).
Historic Washington State Park
CIVIL WAR WEEKEND 2010
SCHOOL PROGRAMS FRIDAY, November 5
1. 1874 court house visitor center:
The 1874 Court House visitor center contains orientation information about historic Washington and exhibits thematically linked to the civil war during this special weekend. There will be special civil war music programs in the upstairs courtroom you will not want to miss. Also take a look in the gift shop for unique gift items to commemorate your visit!
1. Civil war period music:
Music was a much needed pastime during the dark days of the civil war. There was the comical, patriotic and spiritual aspects of music that motivated and sustained the masses. You might even get to sing along!
1. cooking in the field:
while visiting with civilian refugees students will see how people cooked on campfires to survive.
1. artillery demonstration:
see and “hear” why artillery was known as the “king of battle”!
artillerymen will demonstrate the proper firing of actual full scale Civil war artillery.
1. civil war medicine:
A look at how sicknesses and wounds were treated by doctors and surgeons of the military.
1. Religion in war:
Explore the power and influence of religion during the days of the civil war. You will be in one of the oldest churches in Arkansas!
1. Soldier for the cause:
See soldier dressed in the Hempstead Rifles uniform. This was the first unit mustered from Hempstead county.
1. the lady in mourning:
Death and its aftermath were stark realities for most families during the war years. Visit with a typical lady who has lost a loved one during the conflict and see how she copes during these sad times.
1. meet the sutler:
sutlers followed the armies and provided the soldier the means to make private purchases. See the goods they carried and find out why.
1. meet a town doctor:
when there weren’t enough military doctors to go around the local doctors were called upon to render much needed aid to not only their usual patients but to countless refugees and soldiers far from home. See what tools and techniques he used to practice his noble profession.
1. a slave’s work is never done:
while a war raged on around them those people still enslaved labored to take care of daily chores and responsibilities so that households and farms could get by with some semblance of normalcy. Visit the sanders farmstead kitchen and grounds and learn why “a slave’s work is never done”.
1. civil war guns and weapons:
see a special program on the more interesting and innovative firearms developed during the civil war. Some of these were the types used in southwest Arkansas!
1. newspapers at war:
watch a printer at work as he discusses the importance of “getting the news out” during the war.
1. the candle shop:
visit the candle shop and learn more about early lighting. There is also a small gift shop located here.
1. children’s games:
young people have to play! Join in the fun of some of nineteenth century’s more popular games.
1. ladies and men’s fashions:
this program covers some of the more obvious differences between clothing of the nineteenth century and clothing of today. Social customs and beliefs associated with fashion will be explored as well.
1. period photography:
ever wondered why people photographed in the nineteenth century looked so serious? You might get a clue after your visit to a nineteenth century tintype artist. See how he made “likenesses” of people and the tools required.
1. politics and war:
Arkansas has seceded from the Union and has joined the Confederate States of America. Witness a rousing speech by a local political leader elected to represent the state in the Confederate legislature in the 1836 court house.
1. infantry drill:
so you want to be a civil war soldier? Well, you’ve got some shaping up to do! Learn the basics of infantry drill with our courteous and mild mannered drill instructors! Bring your marching shoes!
1. cavalry equipment:
meet a typical civil war cavalryman and examine the saddles
and equipment required to carry out mounted service in war.
1. infantry camp on campaign:
explore the camp of a typical group of soldiers on campaign in the countryside. See the ways they attempted to make life a little better amid the boredom of life in camp. But be warned! When soldiers are around civilians anything can happen! You might even see a typical situation unfold at the Royston log house campsite!
1. life at home:
visit with an average farmer at his humble home and learn how he survives during wartime. He will show you some much needed skills in woodcraft and self sufficiency that any person would need during such a crisis.
1. woodcraft:
learn how rails were split, shingles rived, and beams hewed to make a home from the wilds of the forest.
1. home gardens:
food is a necessity and especially in wartime with shortages of all types of foodstuffs. Visit with a gentleman and learn how he tends his important garden!
1. swords and plowshares:
experience firsthand the sights and sounds of a working blacksmith shop. Smiths were called upon to help in any way possible toward the equipping of the armies during the war.
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