The J.E.B. Stuart Birthplace Preservation Trust, Inc. will hold its 30th annual Civil War Encampment & Living History Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 8 and Sunday, Oct. 9.
The event was originally slated to be held this weekend, but organizers changed it due to weather concerns.
The event will take place at Laurel Hill, the birthplace of General J.E.B. Stuart, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event begins with a flag raising and a Grand Review at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Thomas Bishop, publicity contact, said the event will include a Civil War battle reenactment at 3 p.m. on Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, a Saturday ladies fashion show, a Sunday morning church service at 10 a.m., Civil War sutlers (vendors), and more.
“Many people come dressed in clothing appropriate for the 1860s in what we call period clothing. The men will likely be dressed in uniform whether it be Confederate or Union,” he said.
Bishop said some of the reenactors will sleep in tents on the premises.
“We have Civil War Generals that are reenacting dressed in officer uniforms and making speeches and interacting with the public,” he said.
Speakers include Sam Winkler doing a program on Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Lucas Wilder as J.E.B. Stuart, and David Chaltas as Robert E. Lee.
Bishop said the fashion show is one of the most highly attended events.
“Women and girls come dressed up in period clothing and they have a tea with cookies and tea, and they might have contests,” he said.
A Black Rose Memorial service will be held at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday.
“Women dress in black robes and I think they have on a black rose. It’s sort of like a commemoration-type thing remembering the war dead. People will read certain things about the war, and maybe have a prayer” he said, adding there will be a gun-type salute during the service.
Civil War period music will also be performed throughout the weekend by Cedar Ridge String Band, Fisher Peak Timber Rattles, and Herbert and Tina Conner.
A replica of the CSS Hunley, a Confederate submarine, will also be onsite.
“It does have the reputation of having sunk a Union ship during the battle in which it was involved,” he said.
Because of COVID-19, the event was cancelled in 2020.
“When we came back with it last year, we were very successful with it. We had great attendance, and we had great weather, which really facilitates us having a good weekend,” he said.
Bishop said the 2021 weekend was attended by about 2,000 people including guests, reenactors, workers, and volunteers.
“Those who come are really into this sort of thing. Of course, some of them go to such events in other parts of the state and other parts of America,” he said.
Bishop said funds raised from the event will go toward the upkeep and maintenance of the site.
The admission cost is $8 per person, with children 12 and under admitted for free. Parking also is free.
For more information, visit www.jebstuart.org, or Facebook.com/JEB.Stuart.Trust or call (276) 251-1833.
