Michigan Iron Industry Museum to Host Civil War Encampment Aug. 6 – 7
Michigan Iron Industry Museum visitors will be treated to the sights and sounds of the Civil War during “ Iron Ore and the Civil War,” a two-day event featuring re-enactors and musicians on Aug. 6-7, the Department of Natural Resources announced today.
Civil War-related programs will combine a living-history encampment, artillery and small arms demonstrations, period music, and children’s games with the smell of black powder, wood fires and cornmeal Johnny cakes.
“This is a family-fun event where people experience everyday life of the Civil War and commemorate the 150th anniversary of the War Between the States,” said museum educator Barry James. “Museum guests will be able to enter the campsite and interact with the costumed interpreters to learn about soldiers’ pastimes, food and life during the mid-19th century.
Battery D, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, a living history group, will recreate Civil War army life with artillery and small-arms drills, period cooking and soldiers’ pastimes. The First Michigan Infantry assembled for federal service in 1861, just two weeks after the fall of Fort Sumter and the start of the war. At least 90,000 Michiganians enlisted, and more than 14,000 died during the war.
The state’s wartime contribution of not only manpower, but also iron ore resources, was instrumental in helping to preserve the Union – a fact President Abraham Lincoln is said to have recognized b y stating, “Thank God for Michigan.”
In addition to the army life demonstration, the event will feature children’s games and activities. The costumed youth of the museum’s student auxiliary – “The Future Historians”- will play table games, croquet, snap-apple, Blind Man’s Bluff and walk on stilts.
The documentary “ Michigan in the Civil War” will be shown twice daily in the museum auditorium. The film includes segments on Michigan ’s contribution to events such as the Underground Railroad, Fort Wayne , Michigan Women in the War, Gettysburg , the capture of Jefferson Davis, and many more. The 90-minute documentary will be shown at 1 and 3 p.m.
The museum entrance is located on US-41E, one mile west of Junction M-35, in Negaunee Township . Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.
The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is one of 11 nationally accredited museums administered by the Michigan Historical Center , an agency within the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It overlooks the site of the Carp River Forge, a pioneer industrial site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information call 906-475-7857 or visit online at www.michigan.gov/ironindustrymuseum.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
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