History comes to life at Napoleon

Cindy DiFazio- Staff Writer

On the weekend of May 12-13 the Historic Town of Napoleon will host the First Annual Napoleon Living History and Civil War Encampment Weekend. The public is invited to experience a living history weekend at the historic crossroads town of Napoleon. Two days of authentic Civil War reenactments and historic period activities will be presented.

On Saturday, May 12, the activities begin at 10:00 a.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Historic Central House which will be the site of the Union Army headquarters and the Children and the Civil War exhibit. Visitors can also tour the encampment site on the Public Green and visit the Confederate Army headquarters at the historic Elias Conwell House. Other events throughout the day include a Historic Ladies Fashion Show, a Ladies Tea with refreshments and period music, and a performance-lecture about the Underground Railroad.

The lecture “Life of the Common Soldier” will precede the Battle Between the Armies at 3:00 p.m. Cannon will be fired on the hour throughout the day. The evening ends with a Fancy Dress Ball at 8:00 p.m. for the extra ticket price of $3. The ball includes period music and a demonstration by the Cincinnati Historic Dancers. An instruction session begins at 7:00 p.m.

On Sunday, May 13, the day begins with church services at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 10:00 a.m. All sites will open at 11:00 a.m. An exhibition of Morning Drill will start at 11:00 a.m. with the Battle Between the Armies commencing at 1:30 p.m.

Daily admission is $5 with children under 12 (accompanied by an adult) getting in free. A weekend pass to all events is $10. For more information call 812-852-1780 or visit the Ripley County Tourism website at www.ripleycountytourism. com. This event is made possible by a grant from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation.