Civil War Encampment

A living history CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT
Saturday, Oct. 6—Rain or Shine—Free Admission
Dossin Beach Park at Hanover Pond, Meriden CT

Located near the original site of Camp Tyler, a Civil War training camp, members of the 2d Conn. Volunteer Heavy Artillery (SCVHA) will set up an authentic camp and act in the roles of militia, as well as, the ancillary but indispensable players associated with the camp, such as washerwomen, cooks and blacksmiths. Our Encampment will portray life in the Union Army (not a reenactment of North-South fighting). An accurate portrayal of typical camp activities will include marching and drilling with authentic weapons such as a Gatling gun, presented around noon, by the soldiers of the SCVHA.

8:00 till 8:45 am—Commemoration Ceremony at Civil War Gravesites.
Civil War Encampment day begins off-site at Walnut Grove Cemetery, 817 Old Colony Rd., Meriden CT

Civil War Encampment—Entertainment, Education and Fun for All Ages

Free public parking will be located at Platt High School, 220 Coe Ave.; and Lincoln Middle School, 164 Centennial Ave. Handicap parking is available at both schools. Free shuttle service to and from the event site will be provided by Hunter’s Ambulance, Inc.

9:00 am till 3:00 pm

• Reveille opens the event, a living history encampment
• Civil War Encampment opens to the public
• Demonstrations of typical activities and chores by 2d Conn. Volunteers Heavy Artillery (SCVHA)—all day throughout camp. Visitors are invited to wander around camp and ask questions.
• Marching and drilling by SCVHA
• Presentations and entertainment—all day on the outdoor stage, arranged by Meriden Historical Society 
• Meriden Public Library Bookmobile—The Bookmobile will be loaded with Civil War, history and a selection of books for all ages. Bring your library card.
• Variety of vendors offering wares
• Hot dogs and burgers served by the Meriden Lions Club; drinks and snacks by Christmas in the Village, and the non-profit groups that produced this event—available for purchase all day

9:15 am—Where is Camp Tyler? Why was it in Meriden? by Norm Teague

10:00 am—They Called Me Lizzy … From Slavery to the White House
A retrospective portrayal of Elizabeth “Lizzy” Hobbs Keckley, best known as the personal dressmaker and confidante of Mary Todd Lincoln. A one-woman play written and directed by Kandie Carle.

Noon—Drilling with authentic weapons by the 2d Conn. Volunteers.

1:30 pm—Connecticut in the Civil War 
From his new book, Dr. Matthew Warshauer will discuss Connecticut in the American Civil War: Slavery, Sacrifice and Survival, as well as the State’s plans to commemorate the Civil War’s 150th Anniversary.

2:30 pm—Honest Abe & Meriden’s Marble Steps by Carlos A. Carrero

3:00 pm—Performance of Taps closes the event.

Schedule subject to change without notice.

Both Friday's Remembrance Concert and the Civil War Encampment honor the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War and recognize Meriden’s contributions. Events are a collaborative effort of the 2d Conn. Volunteer Heavy Artillery, Meriden ArtsTrust, Inc., Meriden Historical Society and Quinnipiac River Watershed Association; and are made possible through a generous grant from the Meriden Foundation.