July 8, 2005

Two days of living-history activities will bring the sights and sounds of the Civil War to Michigan's Irish Hills region, as the Walker Tavern Historic Complex in Brooklyn hosts the second annual Civil War Re-enactment weekend July 16 and 17.

Events begin at 10 a.m. both days and include battle re-enactments and recreations of the daily life of soldiers and civilians during the 1860s.  Daily admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children under 12.

Organized by the Fourth Texas Regiment, Company E, the re-enactment weekend calls for more than 300 re-enactors to converge upon Sylvester Walker's popular 19th-century inn on the historic Chicago Road.

"Last year, we entertained and educated more than 2,000 visitors at Walker Tavern's first-ever Civil War Re-enactment weekend," said Phillip C. Kwiatkowski, director of the Michigan Historical Museum System, which includes Walker Tavern.  "This year, we've added more activities and more community partners.  We expect an even bigger and better event."

The 2005 Civil War re-enactment includes a sutler's row of peddlers and period craft demonstrations of blacksmithing, soap and candle making, chair caning and open-fire cooking.  In addition, there will be food, old-time games and tours of Walker Tavern Historic Site throughout the weekend.

This year's battle re-enactment portrays the Battle of the Wilderness, waged on May 6, 1864, near Fredericksburg, Virginia.  Members of the Fourth Texas re-enactment regiment will arrive at Walker Tavern a week before the battle re-enactment to build a wooden façade of the house where the fighting was especially intense.

Other weekend highlights include:

Saturday, July 16 - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Discover the Underground Railroad through music, storytelling and hands-on activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Period farmers market, noon to 2 p.m.
• Battle of the Wilderness, 2 p.m.
• Contra dancing, 3 to 4 p.m.
• Candlelight tour of the 1860s village and a peek at 19th-century nightlife (additional fee), 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.
  

Sunday, July 17 - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Battle of the Wilderness, 1 p.m.
• Quilt-tying demonstration, 1 to 3 p.m.
  

The Walker Tavern Civil War weekend is sponsored by the Michigan Historical Museum System, the Fourth Texas Company E re-enactors, the Brooklyn-Irish Hills Chamber of Commerce and the Lenawee County Conference and Visitors Bureau.

Walker Tavern is located in Brooklyn, next to the Michigan International Speedway, in the Irish Hills region.  Situated at the historic crossroads of M-50 and the U.S. 12 Heritage Trail, Walker Tavern is just 35 miles west of Ann Arbor.

Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, through Sept. 4, 2005.  Allow at least one hour to tour Walker Tavern.  The historic site is partially accessible.

Walker Tavern - part of the Michigan Historical Museum System - is fully accredited by the American Association of Museums. For more information visit www.michiganhistory.org or call (517) 467-4401, TDD (517) 373-1592.

The Michigan Historical Museum System is a division of the Michigan Historical Center, an agency of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.  Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan heritage and fostering cultural creativity, the department also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Library of Michigan, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.