The
free event is part of the state’s
commemoration of the war’s 150th
anniversary.
Saturday, July 19, brings a chance
to hear from some of the Civil War’s
most prominent generals, including
Ulysses S. Grant, George Custer and
Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. Abraham
and Mary Lincoln will also appear at
several programs, including “Lincoln
and the Children.”
The Soldiers Aid Society will be
represented and a full field
surgical unit will demonstrate Civil
War surgical techniques. The
afternoon will feature parade
drilling and a skirmish with cannon
fire before concluding with carriage
rides and a military ball. The ball
will include the 33rd Illinois
Volunteer Regiment Band, Civil War
dancers and Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln.
Other activities include a military
encampment, rope making, root beer
making, and vendors offering
Civil-War-era goods for sale. There
will be a special display of
military weapons, Civil-War-era
miniatures and vintage clothing.
Children and families will be
invited to help the Soldiers Aid
Society pack boxes for Union troops.
Visitors can also help modern troops
by making embroidered flags. The
flags include a small pocket on the
back, and families will be
encouraged to write messages of
support to tuck into the pocket. The
flags will be included in boxes for
McLean County troops serving
overseas and will be mailed by the
VFW.
Picnic-style foods will be for sale,
and mansion tours will be offered.
Activities on Sunday, July 20, run
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day starts
with a church service that includes
music by the 33rd Illinois Volunteer
Regiment Band. The generals and the
surgical unit will also make
presentations, the Lincolns will
visit, and there will be another
skirmish with cannon firing.
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For more information and a
schedule of events, visit
www.daviddavismansion.org
Civil War Days is presented in
conjunction with "Lincoln’s Festival
in Bloomington," a citywide
celebration of Lincoln in
Bloomington. Activities are also
scheduled at Franklin Park, Illinois
Wesleyan University, downtown
Bloomington, the McLean County
Museum of History, the Burr House
and the Bloomington Public Library.
For information on other activities
related to Lincoln’s Festival, see
the lineup on Facebook.com or
www.lincolnsfestival.com
The David Davis Mansion State
Historic Site, administered by the
Illinois Historic Preservation
Agency, was built for Judge David
Davis and his wife, Sarah. Davis had
been appointed to the U.S. Supreme
Court by his grateful friend,
Abraham Lincoln, and had this lavish
Victorian mansion built in 1872.
The mansion, located at 1000 Monroe
Drive in Bloomington, is open
Wednesday through Sunday for free
public tours.
[Text received; CHRIS WILLIS,
ILLINOIS HISTORIC PRESERVATION
AGENCY]
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