Date: August 5, 2015
Contact: Abigail Pope-Brooks, 212-668-2208
NEW YORK -- The National Park Service invites the public to meet re-enactors of Union soldiers, Confederate prisoners, officers' wives and more at Fort Jay, Castle Williams and the Soldiers Camp. Youth can earn an official Junior Ranger Badge, receive a free activity book, or participate in one of the park's Kids Programs.
Governors Island was an Army post for nearly 200 years. For half that time its primary job was to protect New York City with big cannons.Park rangers have been reenacting the life of a 19th century artillerist every weekend, and Civil War Weekend will be the last of these 1-hour demonstrations for the season.
This two-day event features dozens of living historians portraying numerous units from the Civil War, as well as prisoners of war,music boys, laundresses, and officer's wives. This is a chance to see what life was like on the island during the bloodiest conflict in our nation's history.
Schedule of Events:
Saturday, August 8
- Cannon Demonstrations: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. You might want to cover your ears when you come out to watch the loading and firing of the 1842 six pounder! Located at the Small Arms/Artillery Demo Field
- Small Arms Demonstrations: 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Learn about the complex process of loading and firing a rifle every Civil War soldier knew! Located at the Small Arms/Artillery Demo Field
- Civil War Music Performances: 12:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m..Balladeer Linda Russell and Ranger Joe compare military and civilian music at the time of the Civil War. Come relax on the rocking chairs of Fort Jay and enjoy the sounds of the Civil War!
- Civil War "Base Ball": 4 p.m. Join us for a talk about the history of baseball and how it was enjoyed during the Civil War. Then stay and cheer as the living historians play a game against the NPS Rangers!
Sunday August 9
- Cannon Demonstrations: 11:30AM, 1:30 p.m. You might want to cover your ears when you come out to watch the loading and firing of the 1842 six pounder! Located at the Small Arms/Artillery Demo Field
- Small Arms Demonstrations: 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Learn about the complex process of loading and firing a rifle every Civil War soldier knew! Located at the Small Arms/Artillery Demo Field
- Civil War Music Performances: 12:15 p.m.. Balladeer Linda Russell and Ranger Joe compare military and civilian music at the time of the Civil War. Come relax on the rocking chairs of Fort Jay and enjoy the sounds of the Civil War!
- Officers of the Civil War Generation: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m.. Volunteer Keith leads a tour of the historic district discussing various Civil War leaders who spent parts of their career at Governors Island. Starts at the top of Soissons Landing.
To learn more, visit https://www.nps.gov/gois/planyourvisit/things2do.htm
