May 24th, 2011
|
Author: The majority of us have distantly experienced the events of the Civil War through the pages of a textbook or through a history teacher’s lecture. We know why the war was fought, the background on principal battles, and possibly even the names of famous war heroes.
But now, thanks to Pennypacker Mills in Schwenksville, visitors will have the opportunity to travel back in time to the mid-19th century and experience firsthand what life was like during the war.
A Colonial mansion surrounded by 170 acres of farmland, Pennypacker Mills annually hosts a Civil War Reunion, which will be held this year on Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, June 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Though the event has been held consecutively for 15 years, returning visitors have a new and refreshing experience each time. As Museum Educator Linda Callegari explains, “There is always a slightly different mix of re-enactors that bring slightly different talents with them.” The event reaches out to everyone, for not only is it completely free, but it offers activities for people of all ages.
Don’t hesitate to bring the youngsters this year because for the first time, the event is featuring the “Be a Soldier” Enlistment Program for Kids. Participants will be challenged to enlist in the army, take an oath of allegiance, march and follow military orders. The program will run on both days from 10:30 a.m. until noon.
Another new feature, perhaps aimed at an older crowd, is the Infantry Demonstration on Tactics that will take place on the battlefield before the actual battle spurs into action. As a military unit acts out various strategic maneuvers, one of the soldiers will explain each maneuver and the purpose behind it. This is an opportune learning experience for all because, as Callegari asserts, “People today just don’t really understand what war was like in 1863.”
After gaining a better understanding of the strategies and maneuvers of the war, make sure to stay and get a glimpse of the actual fighting between the North and South, as the passion and physical strength of soldiers on both sides violently clash.
But if you’re not interested in watching this military engagement, you need not worry. Just head over to the classroom building at 1 p.m. on either day. Prepare to be moved by two very competent speakers – Bonnie Cook, a journalist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Eileen Santori, a historian of the Montgomery Cemetery in Norristown. This cemetery has a very strong connection with the Civil War because several of the women nurses who played a significant role in the war are actually buried there. After researching the stories of the nurses, Cook and Santori have put together a program to explain how these women – who lived right here in Montgomery County – influenced the outcome of the war.
If you are longing to be further inspired, be sure to track down the talented Matthew Dodd, a musician who conveys such rich meaning and fascinating stories through his rendition of Civil War songs. He incorporates several instruments of the war period into his performance, including the banjo and even the ukulele!
Callegari admires Dodd’s ability to “bring a different perspective to things, to tap into the emotion of things.” Also, in order to maintain a balanced performance, Dodd switches from Union to Confederate uniform throughout the day and sings tunes from both sides.
But for those history buffs whose thirst for knowledge is not yet quenched by all of the outdoor festivities, you have to make your way inside the mansion, which was once home to the Pennypacker family. Pvt. Samuel Pennypacker was a war hero who fought bravely to defend Pennsylvania from Confederate invasion, and his cousin, Gusha, was the youngest general to serve in the Civil War on either side.
As you walk through the exhibits and possibly even take a guided tour of the mansion, you will learn about the determination that Samuel, Gusha and the rest of the Pennypacker family shared in their effort to preserve the union. This same determination united all of the participants that played a part in the Civil War; it is something that cannot be understood by merely reading a textbook. Come to Pennypacker Mills and really live it. Enlighten yourselves and just enjoy what will be a truly rewarding afternoon.
IF YOU GO: Continued…
The majority of us have distantly experienced the events of the Civil War through the pages of a textbook or through a history teacher’s lecture. We know why the war was fought, the background on principal battles, and possibly even the names of famous war heroes.
But now, thanks to Pennypacker Mills in Schwenksville, visitors will have the opportunity to travel back in time to the mid-19th century and experience firsthand what life was like during the war.
A Colonial mansion surrounded by 170 acres of farmland, Pennypacker Mills annually hosts a Civil War Reunion, which will be held this year on Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, June 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Though the event has been held consecutively for 15 years, returning visitors have a new and refreshing experience each time. As Museum Educator Linda Callegari explains, “There is always a slightly different mix of re-enactors that bring slightly different talents with them.” The event reaches out to everyone, for not only is it completely free, but it offers activities for people of all ages.
Don’t hesitate to bring the youngsters this year because for the first time, the event is featuring the “Be a Soldier” Enlistment Program for Kids. Participants will be challenged to enlist in the army, take an oath of allegiance, march and follow military orders. The program will run on both days from 10:30 a.m. until noon.
Another new feature, perhaps aimed at an older crowd, is the Infantry Demonstration on Tactics that will take place on the battlefield before the actual battle spurs into action. As a military unit acts out various strategic maneuvers, one of the soldiers will explain each maneuver and the purpose behind it. This is an opportune learning experience for all because, as Callegari asserts, “People today just don’t really understand what war was like in 1863.”
After gaining a better understanding of the strategies and maneuvers of the war, make sure to stay and get a glimpse of the actual fighting between the North and South, as the passion and physical strength of soldiers on both sides violently clash.
But if you’re not interested in watching this military engagement, you need not worry. Just head over to the classroom building at 1 p.m. on either day. Prepare to be moved by two very competent speakers – Bonnie Cook, a journalist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Eileen Santori, a historian of the Montgomery Cemetery in Norristown. This cemetery has a very strong connection with the Civil War because several of the women nurses who played a significant role in the war are actually buried there. After researching the stories of the nurses, Cook and Santori have put together a program to explain how these women – who lived right here in Montgomery County – influenced the outcome of the war.
If you are longing to be further inspired, be sure to track down the talented Matthew Dodd, a musician who conveys such rich meaning and fascinating stories through his rendition of Civil War songs. He incorporates several instruments of the war period into his performance, including the banjo and even the ukulele!
Callegari admires Dodd’s ability to “bring a different perspective to things, to tap into the emotion of things.” Also, in order to maintain a balanced performance, Dodd switches from Union to Confederate uniform throughout the day and sings tunes from both sides.
But for those history buffs whose thirst for knowledge is not yet quenched by all of the outdoor festivities, you have to make your way inside the mansion, which was once home to the Pennypacker family. Pvt. Samuel Pennypacker was a war hero who fought bravely to defend Pennsylvania from Confederate invasion, and his cousin, Gusha, was the youngest general to serve in the Civil War on either side.
As you walk through the exhibits and possibly even take a guided tour of the mansion, you will learn about the determination that Samuel, Gusha and the rest of the Pennypacker family shared in their effort to preserve the union. This same determination united all of the participants that played a part in the Civil War; it is something that cannot be understood by merely reading a textbook. Come to Pennypacker Mills and really live it. Enlighten yourselves and just enjoy what will be a truly rewarding afternoon.
IF YOU GO:
The Civil War Reunion
will take place at
Pennypacker Mills,
5 Haldeman Road,
Schwenksville, PA 19473,
June 4, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.,
June 5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Free admission.
Info: 610-287-9349 or
Pennypackermills@montcopa.org. `
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you’re reading it on someone else’s site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers. Five Filters featured article: You Cannot Kill An Ideology With A Gun.
Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.
Posted in Uncategorized