LAMONI — Lamoni’s 13th annual – and final — Civil War Days (CWD) re-enactment and living History celebrates the end of the American Civil War this Labor Day weekend in Lamoni.
The event starts with a school day program 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, and runs through the weekend Sept. 5-6.
“Civil War Days is an educational opportunity, a hands-on living history experience of mid-19th century U.S. life. It is more than guys with guns; it presents many aspects of civilian life as well. There are both military and civilian encampments, and period tradespeople,” said Doug Jones, founder and driving force behind Civil War Days. “When we began the Lamoni reenactment 13 years ago, I never imagined that it would become the success it has. We’ve had PBS and The History Channel film here, as well as a few independent filmmakers. It is a testament to the broad-based support we’ve enjoyed from the community and the reenactors. I think it is altogether fitting that we celebrate the end of that terrible war with our final event.”
Civil War Days invites students – public, private, and home schoolers — and teachers from all over the Iowa–Missouri region to attend the school day program, Friday, Sept. 4.
Graceland University’s AmeriCorps Youth Launch and the Lamoni City Hall staff help organize the event. Students travel from station to station learning about Civil War era infantry, artillery, cavalry, and medical practices, play period games, and watch period tradespeople, weavers and spinners in action.
CWD opens to the public on Saturday morning of Labor Day weekend at 9 a.m. with a skirmish to defend – or seize – downtown Lamoni. While on horseback, Jones will narrate the action so the public can understand the troop movements.
“In this fight, spectators can be close enough to look over the shoulders of the reenactors and listen to the commands,” Jones said.
After the battle for downtown Lamoni, all event activities move one mile west of town to a 38 acre pasture next to Home Pond at the end of North Mulberry Street. There, the public will find the encampments of the opposing armies and the main battlefield. Saturday activities begin at the main battlefield with a live mortar fire competition at 11:30 a.m. and conclude with artillery night fire at 9:00 p.m.
There is a civilian Town Square next to the battlefield, which becomes the center of activity and where period tradespeople, civilian living historians, and period doctors will make presentations. There is also period food available for purchase at affordable prices.
“We try to present as well rounded a picture of the period as possible,” Jones said.
Merchants, tradespeople, a root beer vendor and sutlers all either sell their goods or demonstrate their trades. Sutlers were greedy war profiteers who traveled with the armies selling clothing, weapons, tobacco and other items not provided by the army.
Two large battles will be fought, one on Saturday at 2 p.m., another on Sunday at 1 p.m.
“All battles are unscripted tactical engagements. The commanders are given certain objectives but must use their eyes and brains to outwit their enemy,” Jones explained. “The outcome is always in doubt.”
These large battles are also narrated so that the public can understand the commanders’ moves.
There are many non-military activities throughout the weekend. On Saturday, the civilian Town Square will feature a period fashion show, a period dance (complete with caller), period tea ceremonies, a wedding anniversary, a period meal free to everyone in period attire, and a memorial to all living historians who have died over the last 13 years. There will be a non-denominational period church service Sunday morning, as well.
“Be sure to check the schedule on the event web site for times of each activity,” Jones said.
Lamoni’s Civil War Days Reenactment and Living History concludes with the 1 p.m. battle on Sunday.
“It is sad to see the event end, but after 13 years, it is time to retire it,” Jones said. “We have had a great run and owe a debt of gratitude to too many individuals and organizations to name. This event always has been a community-wide effort.”
In order to make the event accessible to all, there is never a charge for admission or parking with CWD.
CWD is donation-based and supported generously by the Optimist Club of Lamoni, city of Lamoni, Lamoni Area Chamber of Commerce, Lamoni Development Corporation, Lamoni Lions Club and in-kind and cash donations from numerous Lamoni individuals and businesses.
A detailed schedule of weekend events can be found at www.civilwardays.org.