The American Civil War will be brought back to life during the re-enactment of the Battle of Gainesville on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 10 a.m. The re-enactment will be held at Sweetwater Park, located on the south side of the Matheson History Museum. Over 75 re-enactors will recreate the Battle of Gainesville, which erupted in the heart of downtown Gainesville on August 17, 1864. Civil War re-enactors will stand, fight and fire rifles on the same location where the battle was fought 151 years earlier. The band Seven Lbs. of Bacon will play authentic Civil War music. This event is free and open to the public.
Commemorate the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War with a tour of the Matheson House. The home was the residence of J.D. Matheson, who served in the Confederate Army and saw Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Courthouse. Visit Sweetwater Park on Friday, August 14 to browse the re-enactors’ camp and learn about the daily rituals of the men who fought in the Civil War. Civil War-era wagons and historically accurate uniforms, clothing, equipment and rations will be on display. Come early to ensure a good viewing spot.
In addition to the re-enactment, the Matheson will host a Civil War symposium on Thursday, August 13, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. The theme of this year’s symposium is Alachua County’s connection to South Carolina, which was the first state to secede from the Union at the start of the Civil War. Many early settlers of Alachua County were from South Carolina, and they were instrumental in making Florida the third state to secede. The price of admission to the Civil War symposium on August 13 is $5 per person. The Civil War re-enactment on August 15 is free. Parking is available at the Matheson History Museum, at Kirby Smith and at the law office of attorneys Folds and Walker.
For more information call 352-378-2280 or email info@mathesonmuseum.org.
Civil War Battle of Gainesville by GTN News
Matheson Museum brings Alachua County History to Life by TV20
Civil War Battle of Gainesville by Shayna Posses of the Senior Times
Civil War Battle Gainesville by Peggy Macdonald of the Examiner
Civil War Battle of Gainesville by Peggy Macdonald of Our Town Magazine
Echoes of the Civil War resonate in Gainesville by Carl Mckinney of the Gainesville Sun
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