Wakefield Civil War Remembrance Day

During the years of the American Civil War, the Town of South Reading furnished 505 men to the war effort.  Of these, 49 would die from diseases contracted during their enlistment periods and eighteen were killed in battle. 

The men who served and fought, along with their families, carried profound memories of their service long after the war was over.  The Wakefield chapters of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Sons and Daughters of Union Veterans were strong presences in Wakefield into the twentieth century.

As the nation commemorates the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War, the town of Wakefield will hold a Civil War Remembrance Day on Saturday, September 15^th.

Co-sponsored by the Wakefield Historical Society, the Wakefield Historical Commission and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, with the assistance of the Lakeside Cemetery Association and the Col. James Hartshorne House Association, the day-long observances will include:

•  11:00 a.m.    *  The ancient graveside ceremony of marking the final resting places of those who served in the military during the War, officiated by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (in period uniform), at the Lakeside Cemetery.  (Descendants and relatives of the Civil War veterans are cordially invited to participate in this stirring ceremony, and the public is most welcome to attend.)
•  12:00 noon    *  A wreath-laying ceremony at the Civil War Memorial statue on Wakefield Upper Common (Veterans Memorial Park).
•  12:15 p.m.   *  A band concert at the Civil War Monument, featuring the Providence Brigade Band, a Civil-War period styled brass band.  The concert will be attended by re-enactor soldiers and ladies in Civil War-era attire.
•  1:00 - 3:00 p.m.   *  An opportunity to visit the Hartshorne House (41 Church Street).  Members of Col. James Hartshorne’s family served in the Union Army.  Civil War-era photographs of the family will be on display at the House, along with other artifacts.
•  1:00 - 4:00 p.m.    *  Living History demonstrations on the grounds of the Wakefield History Museum (39 Prospect Street) which will be open to the public.  Participating in the Living History Displays will be the Salem Zouave brigade and Naval re-enactments.
•      *  On display at the Wakefield History Museum (39 Prospect Street) will be the current exhibition:  South Reading in the War of the Rebellion, along with dioramas showing battlefield action.  

Wakefield Civil War Remembrance Day will offer a hint of the pageantry of the period, along with the opportunity to honor those who sacrificed much to fight to preserve the Union.  

The festivities are appropriate for all ages, and are free of charge.  

For more information, visit www.wakefieldhistory.org/remembrance.html or call 781-246-3070