THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 6, 1996 TAG: 9609060504
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 64 lines
They're planning two weddings, a little red schoolhouse, a fashion show, an opera, a big dance with live music and even a traveling medicine show complete with an array of human oddities and charlatans.
It all happens this weekend at the Chesapeake Central Library as part of its annual Civil War Days celebration.
The two-day affair will have its share of martial events, of course, such as 35 blue and gray re-enactment units including infantry, cavalry and artillery engaged in parades, drills, living history camp scenes, weapons demonstrations and even a few skirmishes.
There will also be evening lantern tours, where small groups can pass from one military checkpoint to another to witness hospital scenes, camp life and even soldiers foraging for food and trading with the enemy.
To present a more rounded look at America during the 1860s, Civil War Days planners have also scheduled a lineup of experts speaking on topics such as Civil War humor and poetry, African-American contributions and the construction of union ironclads.
The weekend will also include period games for children; an abolitionist opera, ``Let My People Go,'' performed by the Portsmouth Opera Guild; period pop and dance music performed by the Tuckahoe Social Orchestra and Starbuck & Vaughn; and a grand Civil War dance with period dances, music and costumes.
Two couples plan to renew their wedding vows in period dress and uniform, using 1860s ceremonies, to be conducted by an actual minister in period clerical costume.
Other activities include classes in Civil War genealogy; classroom lessons of the period complete with games and McGuffey Readers; candle-making, taffy-pulling and cow-milking demonstrations; actors portraying key Civil War figures; scores of displays, including memorabilia, art, artifacts, reproductions and paintings; and a U.S. Post Office booth selling special Civil War stamp sets.
Dr. Pierre's Traveling Medicine Show from Charlottesville will also appear, to sell snake oil and offer hootchie-kootchie dancers, freaks of nature and an array of quacks.
Begun by Paula Alston, now head librarian of the Major Hillard Library at George Washington Highway, Chesapeake Civil War Days has grown over the years.
``We've doubled in size and scope,'' said Elizabeth Griffing, adult programmer at the Central Library, who took over the job of organizing Civil War Days from Alston. ``We've gotten a much broader, all-inclusive look at the era to include everyday life, culture, education, African Americans, women and children.''
``Right from the beginning we wanted to offer more than just the military side of the Civil War,'' Alston said. ``We wanted it to be a fun way to present history, to present a living, breathing slice of American history that would appeal to everybody.'' ILLUSTRATION: CIVIL WAR DAYS
What: Fourth Annual Chesapeake Civil War Days.
Where: Chesapeake Central Library, 298 Cedar Road, in the
Chesapeake Municipal Center.
When: From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday , and from noon until 4
p.m. Sunday.
Cost: Free. Tickets to the Saturday night dance are $5 a person
but anyone wearing period costume or uniform is admitted free. Food
will be available for sale. Vendors will be selling an array of
Civil War-related items.
Call: For more information, call the library at 382-6591. by CNB