Event Details
If you have an interest in the American Civil War and want to learn what it was like to be in a Union garrison camp in 1863, you will not want to miss this event. The Manhattan Township Historical Society will be hosting an outdoor living history event from 12 pm to 3 pm on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at the Manhattan Historical Museum at 255 South State Street. This event will begin immediately after the completion of the community parade.
This event is free and for the whole family and will be interactive, educational and entertaining.
Manhattan Township based Cypress Company, featured at this event, is an informal group of independent reenactors who are members of various reenactment units and come together for living history events. They will be present in period uniforms to set up camp behind the museum facility near the caboose.
The 100th Illinois Volunteer Infantry [The Historic Will County Regiment] will set up a small tent area featuring a typical camp displaying food rations, weaponry and the typical personal equipment an infantryman would carry. Plans include periodic infantry drills presenting marching, weapon handling and actual musket fire. The ‘boys’ are a friendly lot and have been known to coax willing members of the public to interact with the troops. Depending on weather conditions and personnel availability, these plans can change.
In addition, the Manhattan Township Historical Museum will be open from noon to 3 pm. It is free to tour the Museum’s six rooms including the newly redone Veterans’ Rooms.