The Best Place for You to Personally Experience the 1861-65 US Civil War!

The Civil War! Say it to people today and you will get many different reactions. But despite it having ended in 1865 - over 150 years ago - it still carries with it a lot of interest and emotions. This article is not intended to debate the war or its aftermath, that's better left to the scholars. But if you have an interest in one of the most fascinating periods of US history that shaped how we live today, this may be just the thing to find out how to experience it for yourself - to touch a piece of history.

One of the best places in the area for those interested in the Civil War is the bi-annual Chicago Civil War Show & Sale presented by Robert Zurko of Zurko's Midwest Promotions every spring (April) and fall (September). His next show will be at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton, IL on Saturday, September 23, 2017. To make this a better experience, the Collector's Arms Dealers Association, meets at the same venue in conjunction with the Civil War Show, what could be better!

What you'll see are genuine artifacts ranging from used bullets to full uniform ensembles. Perhaps you'll find photos, old money or other mementos of the time. Standing next to you maybe a reenactor in full gear willing to share minute details of a battle or the uniform he's wearing. Maybe you'll look up and be surprised to see a historian representing a famous figure (but if you ask Mr. Lincoln "how was the play?" remember he's probably heard that one a few times before). You may see books and papers which chronicle the lives of the people who lived through the conflict. It was this kind of material that Ken Burns used to create his groundbreaking television series on PBS, "The Civil War" back in 1990.

It was back before Ken Burns that I was involved with a Civil War Show in Wheaton. Asked by a good friend to held out with a new venture, my friend "Hawkeye" Nowak started the show in the early 1980's and ran it until it was taken up by Zurko Promotions, who has lovingly and enthusiastically continued the tradition. I was fortunate to join some friends at the show last April, and was thrilled to see rooms full of people adding to their collections, sharing history with youngsters and enjoying the companionship of others sharing the same passion. For me, it was also trip back in time and I am grateful to Bob Zurko for allowing me to take the trip and to meet some old friends at the show that I had not seen in years.

Not everything Civil War related has to be old though. At the recent "World Model Expo 2017" in Chicago (a triennial event labeled the "Olympics of Miniature Modelers") sculptors and painters from all over the world shared their vision of the past in small vignettes of plastic and paint. The Military Miniature Society of Illinois will host their meeting with more of this kind of material October 13-15 at the Marriott in Schaumburg, IL where you can see the Civil War in miniature.

Much has been written about how the "Millennials" are prioritizing experiences over stuff. If that's true, then Robert Zurko's Civil War Show & Sale provides the ultimate experience, a trip back in time! And let's remember, everybody still picks up a souvenir from a trip! This show offers a stunning variety of genuine "pieces of history" to take home and use as a touchstone to recall the experience of the event and the historical period that it showcases.

So my "call to arms" for you today is to mark your calendars (whether paper or electronic) and plan to attend the "Civil War Show & Sale" at the DuPage County Fairgrounds (2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton, IL 60187) on Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. and visit their website for more information at www.chicagocivilwarshow.com (plenty of free parking and admission is only $9). Bring your friends, bring your family and share with them a unique experience!