Heritage Village Museum and Educational Center, located inside Sharon Woods Park will host Civil War Weekend on May 18 and 19, 2019.
This authentic Civil War reenactment is an exciting opportunity for the public to witness history as the Civil War era is brought to life in a dramatic fashion.
This year the focus will be on the Siege of Cincinnati. Learn what was done to protect our city and keep it from falling into Confederate hands. Visitors will have many opportunities to participate in the war efforts through hands-on activities like delivering and deciphering coded messages, wrapping bandages, preparing fortifications, and making hardtack.
Union and Confederate Infantry and Artillery will be on hand for drills, demonstrations and a daily battle at 2 pm. This family friendly event also includes citizens in period clothing, hearth cooking, sutlers, a fashion show and Civil War music performed by Steve Ball on historic string instruments and the 275 Brass Quintet. Children will enjoy the games and hands-on activities.
First-person interpreters portraying Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Union General Lew Wallace, Confederate General Jubal Early, female spy Belle Boyd, and Cincinnati Mayor George Hatch will give their perspective on the war and answer visitor’s questions. Other presentations include: “Hearts of America,” a discussion between abolitionist author Harriet Beecher Stowe and Varina Davis, wife of Jefferson Davis and “Robert Smalls & His Daring Escape on the Planter,” which details one man’s harrowing escape from a Confederate warship.
“What makes this event special, is that it is much more than just a reenactment, it’s an opportunity for visitors to learn about everyday life during the Civil War era through hands-on activities that cover a wide range of topics,” said William Dichtl, Executive Director of Heritage Village. “This event really does offer something that everyone in the family will enjoy.”
Single day admission is $10. A weekend pass is $16. Admission is free for museum members, veterans and active duty military members (with military ID), and children ages 4 and under. Souvenirs and food concessions will also be available for purchase.
Civil War Weekend Schedule of Events
- 10 am: Gates Open
- 10:30: Church Service (Sunday Only)
- 11 am: Hardtack Making**
Distribution of Civil War Reenactor Rations
Artillery Demonstration
Varina Davis & Harriet Beecher Stowe - 11:30: Civil War Music Steve Ball
General Jubal Early
Belle Boyd, Woman Spy
Games on the Green** - 12 pm: Robert Smalls & His Daring Escape on the Planter
Fashion Show
Cold Cooking Demo - 12:30: Code Wheel Making**
Medical Exam of Rebel Recruit (Saturday Only)
Home Guard Drill - 1 pm: 275 Brass Band Civil War Music
Artillery Demonstration
Cockade Making**
Conversation with Jefferson Davis
Gun Emplacement Construction - 1:30: Games on the Green**
Mayor Hatch Speech - 2 pm: Siege Battle
- 2:30: Parade
- 2:45: Drawing for Print (Sunday Only)
- 3 pm: Event Close (Sunday Only)
- 3:30: Games on the Green** (Saturday Only)
- 4 pm: Artillery Demo (Saturday Only)
- 5 pm: Event Close (Saturday Only)
All Day/Both Days:
- Civil War weaponry display at Confederate Camp
- Tailor in Fetter Store
**Denotes activities that are especially for kids.
Heritage Village Museum and Educational Center is located inside Sharon Woods Park, behind Sharon Center at 11450 Lebanon Rd. Sharonville, Ohio 45241. A Great Parks of Hamilton County parking permit may be required.
Annual memberships are available to Heritage Village Museum and Educational Center. Members of the Village are granted free admission to the museums during regular operating hours, free admission to all special events, as well as many other benefits.
Heritage Village Museum and Educational Center is operated by Historic Southwest Ohio (HSO), a private, non-profit organization that owns and operates the buildings and collections of Heritage Village Museum and Educational Center. Heritage Village Museum and Educational Center is a picturesque gathering of 13 authentic historical buildings that represent various aspects of family life during the 1800s. These buildings include historic homes, a train station, a doctor’s office, a general store and a church. Guests can tour the Village and its buildings during Civil War Weekend.
