Civil War Days at Gordon Hall 2011
The Dexter Area Historical Society & Museum hosted Civil War Days at Gordon Hall to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War. It was held on the grounds of Gordon Hall in Dexter, Michigan, the historical estate of Judge Samuel Dexter built in 1841. The event raised over $20,000 in profit to be used to pay down the mortgage on the home.
Festivities opened the weekend with the Towne Band performing a free concert on the front lawn of Gordon Hall. These period performers played a typical 1860 program on Civil War era instruments with a narrative to accompany the music. The St. Patrick Boys Choir also participated with song. Guests of the evening were invited to the weekend's activities to follow.
Excitement was already building for the arrival Saturday afternoon of President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. At Gordon Hall, the President addressed the crowd before serving as honored guests at a special dinner Saturday evening under tent. The President ended his day with a visit to the troops thanking them for their service and encouraging their continued perseverance.
The heart of the event was the participation of both the military and civilian encampments of the 4th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company A. This popular and dedicated community of re-enactors was open for public visits Saturday and Sunday. Scheduled artillery firings echoed throughout the area during the event.
Saturday’s events also included living historians, Civil War artifact displays inside the home, minstrel music, a poet/bard, the sewing of a period banner, children's games, a scavenger hunt, storytelling and a period fashion review and tea. Food and beverages were available for purchase and reflected period fare.
A morning service and gospel sing began the program on Sunday. Activities of the day included a pie auction, pig roast, an old time baseball game, and horseshoe contest. The day will concluded with the announcement of contest winners and a mock mortgage burning. Members of The Sons of Union Veterans were on-site Saturday and Sunday to assist local families researching their own connections to Civil War soldiers. Saturday and Sunday events closed with the reading of the “roll” of local Civil War soldiers and the playing of “Taps” to pay homage to their sacrifices and those of their families.
(excerpted from http://www.dextermuseum.org/cwd)
Event Production Leadership
Festivities opened the weekend with the Towne Band performing a free concert on the front lawn of Gordon Hall. These period performers played a typical 1860 program on Civil War era instruments with a narrative to accompany the music. The St. Patrick Boys Choir also participated with song. Guests of the evening were invited to the weekend's activities to follow.
Excitement was already building for the arrival Saturday afternoon of President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. At Gordon Hall, the President addressed the crowd before serving as honored guests at a special dinner Saturday evening under tent. The President ended his day with a visit to the troops thanking them for their service and encouraging their continued perseverance.
The heart of the event was the participation of both the military and civilian encampments of the 4th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company A. This popular and dedicated community of re-enactors was open for public visits Saturday and Sunday. Scheduled artillery firings echoed throughout the area during the event.
Saturday’s events also included living historians, Civil War artifact displays inside the home, minstrel music, a poet/bard, the sewing of a period banner, children's games, a scavenger hunt, storytelling and a period fashion review and tea. Food and beverages were available for purchase and reflected period fare.
A morning service and gospel sing began the program on Sunday. Activities of the day included a pie auction, pig roast, an old time baseball game, and horseshoe contest. The day will concluded with the announcement of contest winners and a mock mortgage burning. Members of The Sons of Union Veterans were on-site Saturday and Sunday to assist local families researching their own connections to Civil War soldiers. Saturday and Sunday events closed with the reading of the “roll” of local Civil War soldiers and the playing of “Taps” to pay homage to their sacrifices and those of their families.
(excerpted from http://www.dextermuseum.org/cwd)
Event Production Leadership
- Donna Fisher, Co-chair
- Jennifer Colby, Co-chair
- Stephanie Bell
- Paul Bishop
- Alan Green
- Bev Hill
- Carol Jones
- Jim Smith
