New England Civil War Museum To Host Free Living History Day

VERNON, CT — The Vernon-based New England Civil War Museum and Research Center is scheduled TO host a free Living History Day on Saturday, Oct. 3, featuring Civil War living historians, guided museum tours, a musket demonstration and a keynote presentation about the sister of President Abraham Lincoln's assassin.

The event is slated to begin at 9 a.m. with a ceremonial opening outside the museum's historic Grand Army of the Republic Hall, at 14 Park Place, inside Vernon Town Hall.

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Living historians representing different aspects of the Union military experience will be at the museum throughout the day. Visitors will have an opportunity to interact with the historians and learn about the experiences of people who lived through the Civil War era.

Four guided museum tours are scheduled for 9:15 and 10 a.m. and 12:30 and 1:15 p.m. Each tour will be limited to 12 to 15 guests. The museum said advance registration is strongly encouraged because space is limited.

At 11 a.m., award-winning poet and author Lisa G. Samia will present a keynote program, "The Sister of an Assassin - The Remarkable Story of Asia Booth Clarke."

The presentation will examine the life of Asia Booth Clarke, a writer and poet and sister of John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln in 1865.

According to the museum, Clarke condemned the assassination but struggled with the consequences of her brother's actions and her relationship with him. Samia's presentation will draw on Clarke's writings and poetry to explore themes of family, grief, loyalty and memory.

Samia has served as an artist-in-residence at Stones River National Battlefield, Gettysburg National Battlefield Park and Manassas National Battlefield Park, according to the museum.

A live Civil War musket drill and demonstration is scheduled for noon.

Museum Executive Director Dan Hayden said the event is intended to help visitors connect with the experiences of people who lived through the Civil War.

"Living History Day gives us an opportunity to step closer to their world, hear their stories, and better understand the courage, sacrifice, fear, hope, and humanity behind the history," Hayden said.

Living History Day is free and open to the public.