Civil War Days at Conner Prairie, May 16-17, 2015

Morgan’s Raiders reenactment at Conner Prairie. Image provided by Conner Prairie and used with written permission.

By Duane Brodt
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park

Thousands of guests from throughout Indiana and neighboring states will be immersed in the Civil War era May 16-17, 2015, as more than 500 re-enactors will help transform Conner Prairie into the 1860s Union and Confederate camps for the weekend.

Conner Prairie’s annual Civil War Days runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Guests will be immersed in life as it was on the Hoosier homefront during the Civil War and can interact with soldiers, march in the infantry, study battle tactics with soldiers, help doctors at field hospitals, witness artillery and cavalry demonstrations and watch a daily battle between the North and the South at 2:30 p.m. each day.

More about Civil War Days:
http://bit.ly/1zCuflC

Video:
http://bit.ly/1Ppuv9x

During the two-day event, Prairietown is transformed into 1863 and guests can learn about Union and Confederate camp life, battle tactics, foods of the time, technologies used during wartime, medicine and how artillery of the time worked. Guests can witness the firing of an authentic Civil War-era cannon and fire an authentic rifle. President Abraham Lincoln will be on hand to talk about his presidency and what it was like leading the country during the Civil War.

New this year, short plays will be performed each day depicting the women who served in uniform, the effect that the war had on free blacks in Indiana and how spies decoded and deciphered intercepted messages.

One feature attraction each day will be a 15-minute play titled “The Right to Fight: African American Pioneers in the Civil War,” presented in partnership with Asante Children’s Theater. Throughout the day in Featherston Barn, the play portrays life on the Roberts Settlement, the first mixed-raced settlement in Hamilton County in 1863. The families of the Roberts Settlement have survived the journey from inhospitable North Carolina and built successful farmsteads in Indiana and the Civil War may jeopardize the current lives they live.

Civil War Days are free to Conner Prairie members and with paid general admission to Conner Prairie. Admission is $16 for adults, $15 for seniors, $11 for youth ages 2-10 and free for children ages 2 and under. For more, visit http://connerprairie.org/, or call 317-776-6006.

Guests are reminded that Conner Prairie’s “1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana” experience is also open throughout the weekend. The nationally acclaimed experience puts guests in the middle of Gen. John Hunt Morgan’s cavalry raid on Indiana.

Spanning 850 wooded acres in central Indiana, Conner Prairie welcomes more than 360,000 guests of all ages annually. As Indiana’s only Smithsonian Institute Affiliate, Conner Prairie offers various outdoor, historically themed destinations and indoor experiential learning spaces that combine history and art with science, technology, engineering and math to offer an authentic look into history that shapes society today.

Indiana Humanities Historic Bar Crawl, June 2-3, 2015

The IRT is one of the venues during the Historic Bar Crawl. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2013, all rights reserved.

By Kristen Fuhs Wells
On behalf of Indiana Humanities

An upcoming bar crawl through downtown Indianapolis on June 2-3, 2015 will pair adult beverages with historic tales (and re-enactments) of the city’s workers through the decades.

For the third year in a row, Indiana Humanities will host a bar crawl to take history-lovers on a theme through the ages.

Participants will start and end at a courtyard overlooking Meridian Street and journey to four different locations, hearing about how strikes, civil rights and economic conflicts shaped much of the city’s history.

“The bar crawl is one of our most popular events because it allows people to learn about our past and connect with each other in a really fun way,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO at Indiana Humanities.

“This year’s theme is a nod to Indiana’s working people. In an unconventional way, we’ll tell a few surprising and little-known stories about how our jobs – and benefits – became what they are today.”

The PunchIN’ the Clock-themed event will feature interactive performances by Indiana Historical Society actors at each stop, including a boycott of shops where African Americans were not permitted to work in the 1930s, an airline strike led by stewardesses in the 1950s and a chance to experience historic workplaces.

PunchIN’ the Clock: An Indiana Humanities Historic Bar Crawl

WHEN:
Tue/Wed, June 2-3, 2015, 6-9 p.m.

WHERE:
Locations include The Basement’s Courtyard on Meridian Street Bridge, Spoke & Steele, Conrad Indianapolis and the Indiana Repertory Theatre (some details won’t be announced until the evening of the event).

COST:
$50 (Ticket price includes food and drink at each location, as well as at the pre- and post-gatherings).

Reservations required:
http://2015barcrawl.eventbrite.com/.

The event is held in partnership with the Indiana Historical Society and Sun King Brewing Company and is sponsored in part by CityWay. Other in-kind partners include: The Basement, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Conrad Indianapolis, Spoke & Steele and Downtown Indy.

About Indiana Humanities

Indiana Humanities connects people, opens minds and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage Hoosiers to think, read and talk. As a convener, leader and partner, Indiana Humanities promotes the public humanities and engages Indiana’s community of minds to create stronger, more vibrant communities. Learn more athttp://indianahumanities.org/.

Civil War Dinners at Benjamin Harrison Home, July 24

Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2014, all rights reserved.

By Kelly Young
On behalf of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
http://bhpsite.org/

The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is serving up its popular Civil War Dinners on Thursday, July 24, 2014, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy an authentic dinner experience with  “General Benjamin Harrison” and members of his “Aide-de-Camp” during this unique and interactive event.

Rather than sheet-iron crackers, canned foods and dehydrated vegetables that soldiers rationed and ate, guests will enjoy fine wine, hors d’oeuvres and a full dinner. The event begins in the Carriage House and includes a tour of President Benjamin Harrison’s home.

What:
Civil War Dinner with “General Benjamin Harrison and members of his “Aide-de-Camp”

When:
Thursday, July 24, 2014

Time:
6:30-9:30 p.m.

Where:
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, Indiana

Cost:
$75/per person, $150 per couple or $1,500 sponsored dinner for 20

Information:
http://bhpsite.org/ or 317-631-1888

——————————–

About Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

The Benjamin Harrison Home, a 16-room Italianate style house, was constructed by Harrison in 1874 and is a National Historical Landmark recognized by the United States Department of the Interior. The non-profit organization is dedicated to increasing public understanding of, appreciation for, and participation in the American system of self-government through the life stories, arts and culture of an American President. www.bhpsite.org

Editor’s Acknowledgement: Baise Communications.

Things to do in Indianapolis, May 19-25, 2014

Snakepit Ball at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, May 24.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2013, all rights reserved.

15 Public Events in Indianapolis and Indiana
VERIFY ALL EVENT LISTINGS TO BE CERTAIN THEY WILL BE HELD AS SCHEDULED

1. SUN: 98th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
2. SAT: 58th Annual IPL 500 Festival Parade in Downtown Indianapolis
3. TUE: Indiana Pacers NBA Playoffs Basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
4. SAT: KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball at the Indiana Roof Ballroom
5. MON: Spotlight 2014 at Clowes Memorial Hall
6. THU: Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
7. WED-SUN: 31st Annual Banks of the Wabash Festival in Terre Haute
8. WED: 500 Festival Community Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
9. WED: 34th Annual Zoopolis 500 at the Indianapolis Zoo
10. THU: Statehouse Market at the Indiana State Capitol Building
11. THU: Rev Rally in Brownsburg
12. SAT-SUN: 38th Annual Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous in Knox County
13. SAT: 69th Annual Visit Hendricks County ‘Night Before the 500’ at Lucas Oil Raceway
14. FRI: Indiana Fever WNBA Basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
15. FRI: 500 Festival Memorial Service on Monument Circle

For more information about thousands of upcoming events and things to do in Indianapolis and Indiana, visit our main Web site at http://aroundindy.com/, or go mobile at http://aroundindy.com/mobile. Thank you for using AroundIndy.com as your source for Indy events!

Free Presidents Day Events at Conner Prairie, Feb. 17

Conner Prairie Interactive History Park. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.

By Lynelle Mellady
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
http://connerprairie.org/

Is meeting a U.S. president on your bucket list?

Conner Prairie Interactive History Park is offering the public the chance to interact with several presidents and first ladies from America’s past, and all for free on Presidents Day.

In celebration of the holiday, Conner Prairie, Indiana’s only Smithsonian Affiliate, will open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 17 with free admission to all.

Visitors won’t just get to meet these famous figures, but also sing with George Washington, box with Andrew Jackson, strut in an 1860s fashion show with Mary Todd Lincoln, learn about grave robbing from Benjamin Harrison, compete in a Revolutionary War version of capture the flag and much more.

Activities

Most activities are ongoing throughout the day, except where noted.

• Compete in a carnival-style shooting game in Teddy Roosevelt’s favorite Wild West and safari expedition settings, using safe marshmallow guns. Can you hit the targets?
• Warm up in an old-timey boxing workout then square off safely in the ring – like gentlemen – with Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren.
• Compete in the Revolutionary War version of capture the flag. Guests on two teams, the Americans and the British, will strategically and safely battle it out.
• Decorate and sign a card to celebrate George Washington’s birthday with a surprise party at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Learn about Franklin D. Roosevelt’s goal to bring electricity to rural America then electrify a 1930s farmhouse. Enjoy a fireside chat with FDR at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Scrutinize Ulysses S. Grant’s Presidential Cabinet of Curiosities. Which outrageous, historic and odd items are real and fake?
• Learn the do’s and don’ts of 1860s fashion with Mary Todd Lincoln. Try on period clothing, decorate paper dolls, and strut in a 19^th-century fashion show at noon.
• Discover more from Belva Lockwood and Edith and Woodrow Wilson about women’s suffrage, participate in the fun by making your own speech, parade signs and sashes, and vote on various topics. Rally in a parade at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Sing patriotic songs with Lady Liberty and Washington at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m.
• Meet Abraham Lincoln, ask him questions or seek his advice at 2:30 p.m.
• Other activities include trying on presidential facial hair, learning about embarrassing presidential moments, discovering a president’s connection to grave robbing, decorating a clothespin to look like Abe Lincoln and much, much more.

Treat yourself to lunch and enjoy deli sandwiches, hot dogs, corn chowder, pretzels, hot chocolate and more. Visitors are welcome to bring their own lunches as well. After lunch, visit the Conner Prairie Store, open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to find souvenirs, toys, books, Indiana-made items and more.

Join us for free on Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a Presidents Day celebration you won’t forget.

For more information, call 317-776-6006, visit connerprairie.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ConnerPrairie.