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Monday, August 15, 2011

Experience Life During the ‘War Between the States’ at Governors Island’s Civil War Weekend

On Saturday and Sunday, hundreds of weekend visitors to Governors Island National Monument will step back in time when they disembark the ferry from lower Manhattan.
They won’t just see a beckoning expanse of green grass and waterfront, they’ll also see living historians, dressed in Civil War uniforms and acting out scenes from a typical day in the life for soldiers of the garrison stationed on the island in August of 1863.

This is the sixth year that the National Park Service has invited Civil War living historians to come to Governors Island and help tell the stories of the island’s rich history. It is also a perfect time for visitors to come to the island and see some its history unfold as the National Park Service is in the midst of observing the Civil War’s Sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary.

This weekend, visitors will have the opportunity to experience firearm demonstrations, drills, and demonstrations of civilian life during the Civil War, such as a laundress station, a medical station and a recruitment rally. Visitors who arrive on the first ferry Saturday morning will also get to see a Union Army guard detail march past the landing, with a group of men dressed as confederate prisoners.

For a complete description of the weekend’s events, visit www.nps.gov/gois.

What: Civil War Weekend

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13 and 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Who:   People of all ages

Why:   Family-friendly fun and hands-on history

Web:   www.nps.gov/gois

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