Beaufort History Museum will present its third
annual Living History Encampment on Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 9 am – 5 pm
in the Arsenal courtyard. This year, the popular event will include displays of
South Carolina militia from 1860 – 1861 and describe the militia’s role in
defending the Port Royal Harbor, and subsequently in defending the mainland
against the Federal forces. Also featured will be military impressions of the Union
infantry, marine and naval forces that used Beaufort as a base of operations during
the Civil War after the Battle of Port Royal Sound on Nov. 7, 1861. In
addition, the role of civilian abolitionists and teachers involved in the Port
Royal Experiment will be presented, along with the early transitions of
Freedmen in this area.
Re-enactors coming to Beaufort from several states
will stage the encampment in the walled Arsenal courtyard space and provide a
unique opportunity for visitors of all ages to interact with the soldiers,
abolitionists, teachers and Freedmen, and to learn firsthand how life was lived
in Beaufort during the Civil War years. The Museum is partnering with other
Beaufort organizations, including the Beaufort County Library, to plan and
conduct the Living History Encampment, along with these educational events:
“Our annual Living
History Encampment is one of our most popular events, attracting more than 600
visitors in a single day last year”, said Carol Lauvray, BHM Board of Directors
President. “The event is educational and entertaining, and provides a chance for
people of all ages to get a real sense of everyday life in Beaufort during the
Civil War years. We are very grateful to encampment organizer, Daniel Gidick of
Charleston, to the other re-enactors, and to our partner the Beaufort County
Library, for all of their efforts to make this remarkable event available to
the public each year.”
The encampment will offer a fascinating look at
everyday life in Beaufort during that period, with re-enactors actually setting up camp in the Arsenal
courtyard, staging cooking demonstrations and drills, and portraying soldiers
and sutlers who traveled through the region selling everyday goods. Re-enactors
will interact with visitors to the event, talking about the life of soldiers,
the Port Royal Expedition, the Emancipation of African Americans, and military operations
between Charleston and Savannah.
Admission is free to the Encampment in the Arsenal
courtyard on Saturday, March 24, however donations to support the Museum are
much appreciated. On Saturday, March 24,
the day of the Encampment event only, admission to the Museum on the second
floor of the Arsenal will be specially priced at $5.00 per visitor ($4.00 for
Seniors). Children and active military and their families are admitted to
the Museum free of charge at all times.
(The text is from the Beaufort History Museum's press release 28 February 2018.)
