Living History Day: Civil War Re-Enactments and More

On Saturday, April 2, Wilton High School senior Mike Kaelin leads a re-enactment of the soldier’s life during the Civil War with the 14th CT Regiment camped out on the Society grounds.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., these soldiers will demonstrate a Civil War encampment, complete with military drills and firing demonstrations, preparing a meal over an open fire and the day-to-day camp life of a soldier.

At 1 p.m., fellow high school senior Brian Caswell will present a lecture on the Civil War.

Students from the high school Debate Team will be hosting a concession table to benefit the club.

Living History Day is part of a series of events bringing to life America’s Civil War Retrospective, a new exhibit at the Wilton Historical Society.

On loan from the extensive private collection of a local resident, America’s Civil War Retrospective features a wide array of paintings, photographs, maps and newspaper articles and memorabilia, which bring to life the chaos of the time. The fast-paced technological changes of the times are also revealed through the many artifacts on display, from an 1850 Louis Comfort Tiffany-designed officer’s sword to early pistols and more modern revolvers.

Artillery shells and cannon balls – one cut in half to display the interior ball and shot – represent the early days of the war, while a hand grenade demonstrates the changing lethality of weapons of war.

The exhibit is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. and is closed on Easter. Admission to the exhibit and events is free to Society members and $5 for non-member families. The exhibit closes Friday, May 13.