(Washington, D.C.) – Americans will celebrate the traditional end of summer this coming Labor Day weekend, September 3 – 5, 2016. In honor of the occasion, the Civil War Trust – a national battlefield preservation organization – recommends eight activities at historic attractions nationwide.
September 3: Labor Day Celebration at Fort McAllister, Richmond Hill, Georgia
Come for a relaxing and entertaining day for the whole family at Fort McAllister State Park. Civil War soldiers will fire rifles and cannons throughout the day while presenting living history programs.
September 3: Guided Hike at Musgrove Mill, Clinton, South Carolina
The Battle of Musgrove Mill was a turning point in the colonists' fight for independence in South Carolina frontier during the summer of 1780. This Ranger-led program will follow the 1.3-mile battlefield trail through Musgrove Mill State Historic Site. More information: southcarolinaparks.com
September 3: Living History Weekend at Gettysburg, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
From the roar of artillery to the flash of bayonets, living history demonstrations at Gettysburg National Military Park help bring the past to life. Reenactors will be encamped on the Gettysburg battlefield: explore their camps, interact with these knowledgeable historians, and watch as they demonstrate the tools, tactics and firepower of Civil War armies. More information: nps.gov/gett
September 3: The 3rd Louisiana at Wilson's Creek, Republic, Missouri
Living history programs and weapons firing demonstrations will depict depict the 3rd Louisiana Infantry at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. More information: nps.gov/wicr
September 5: Labor Day Commemoration at Fort Morris, Midway, Georgia
Scenic, coastal Fort Morris played a role in American conflicts from the French and Indian War through the Civil War. Commemorate the Labor Day holiday with hourly soldier talks and musket and cannon firings. More information:
September 9-11: Defenders Day at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland
Celebrate Star-Spangled Banner weekend with fireworks, live music, reenactments and an unique symbolic recreation of ship-to-shore bombardment. More information: nps.gov/fomc
September 10: Minnesota at Murfreesboro, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
One constant in all three Civil War battles at Murfreesboro was the presence of soldiers from Minnesota. From Forrest's 1862 raid through the Battle of Stones River and the 1864 Battle of the Cedars, Minnesotans shed their blood in defense of the Union. Visit the camp area to learn about the lives of soldiers and the loved ones they left behind through a series of hands-on activities. More information: nps.gov/stri
September 10: For Cause & Country: Serving the Soldiers, Fort Washington, Maryland
During the Civil War, a private relief group called the United States Sanitary Commission (USSC) organized war efforts to assist Union soldiers. The USSC was entirely funded and run by civilians, and would become the forerunner for the American Red Cross. Living historians will help you discover the important role the USSC played in the lives of Union soldiers. nps.gov/fowa
For more events, check the National Park Service centennial events calendar at findyourpark.com, visit your state park website or search for museums and historic sites near you.
The Civil War Trust is the premiere nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation of America’s hallowed battlegrounds. Although primarily focused on the protection of Civil War battlefields, through its Campaign 1776 initiative, the Trust also seeks to save the battlefields connected to the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. To date, the Trust has preserved close to 43,000 acres of battlefield land in 23 states.
The Civil War Preservation Trust became the Civil War Trust in January 2011; the Civil War Trust became a division of the American Battlefield Trust in May 2018. Campaign 1776 was created in 2014 as an initiative of the Civil War Trust; in May 2018 it became the Revolutionary War Trust, a division of the American Battlefield Trust.