Civil War Weekend at Trimborn Farm October 3, 2009

Historic Trimborn Farm in Greendale will host its sixth annual Civil War Encampment featuring volunteer re-enactors from several states portraying and describing life in a Civil War military camp. Visitors will be able to interact with participants as well as view the conditions of military life in the 1860s.

In observance of the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, actors portraying President Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln will give presentations both days of the Encampment. Each day President Lincoln will hold a press conference with General Ulysses S. Grant at 12:30 p.m. and Mrs. Lincoln will address visitors at 2:30 p.m.

Robert Rotgers, of Wauwatosa, has portrayed Lincoln on numerous occasions throughout the Midwest. For several years, Racine resident Jessica Michna has given many presentations as Mary Todd Lincoln also throughout the Midwest.

The Songs of the Civil War, “Lincoln and Liberty Too” programs by Robert Welch, Dubuque Iowa, combine stories and quotes from honest Abe, with music of the Civil War, including some rare Lincoln campaign songs. Welch performs songs of the Civil War period, singing and accompanying himself on guitar and banjo. His programs have the endorsement of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission in Washington, DC. His performances are at 11:30 a.m. each day.

Union and Confederate soldiers, sharpshooters, cavalry, medical staff, sutlers, and camp followers will cook their meals, sell their goods, demonstrate equipment and weapons, and fight mock skirmishes featuring Civil War weapons and artillery.

Activities also will include children's games, skirmishes and cannon firings, a firing demonstration, fashion shows, music, drilling of recruits, and much more! Food and beverages and free tours of Trimborn's nine farm buildings also will be available.

Event hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturay and Sunday, Oct. 3 and 4. The cost is $3 for adults, $2 seniors and students. Children under six are free. Trimborn Farm is located at 8881 W. Grange Avenue in Greendale. For more information, call 414-529-7744 or visit www.milwaukeehistory.net.

Weekend Schedule:

Saturday, October 3, 2009

10:30 am Flag-raising (Grass Oval)

11:00 am Inspection and Drill (East Field)

11:30 am Lincoln and Liberty Too Songs

12:00 pm 19th Century Mystery Box

12:30 pm President Lincoln and Gen. Grant Press Conference

12:30 pm Children’s Games

1:00 pm Drill and Firing Demonstration

1:30 pm Period Fashion Show

2:30 pm Mary Todd Lincoln

3:00 pm Skirmish

4:00 pm Flag-lowering

Sunday, October 4, 2009

10:30 am Worship

11:00 am Flag-raising

11:15 am Children’s Games

11:30 am Songs of the Civil War

12:00 pm 19th Century Mystery Box

12:30 pm Pres. Lincoln-Gen. Grant Press Conference

1:00 pm Inspection, Drill, & Firing Demo

1:30 pm Ladies’ Tea & Doll Making

2:30 pm Mary Todd Lincoln

3:00 pm Skirmish

4:00 pm Flag Lowering