Cool History (June-Aug)
National Civil War Naval Museum 2012 Events and Programs (PDF)
“Cool History” encompasses a variety of living history events held throughout the summer months, some annual, some unique, one-time productions. Each Cool History event is organized around a particular theme, with the goal to both entertain and educate visitors with scenes depicting events or daily life in the Civil War sea services. Past themes have included ship captures, a Havana bar scene (where Union and Confederate sailors mingled in neutral territory), court-martials, Lt. Cushing’s raid on the CSS Albemarle, and many more.
June – Two Navies, One Ship: The USS/CSS Water Witch
Step on board and hear the exiting story of the battle for the USS Water Witch! In the middle of a stormy night in June of 1864, Confederate naval forces launched a raid to capture the USS Water Witch, sitting at anchor near Savannah, GA as part of the Union blockade. The battle that followed was brief but incredibly bloody, and was well documented in first-person accounts by sailors and officers on both sides. This program tells the compelling story of the ship and sailors – Union and Confederate, Free and Enslaved, Black and White – involved in the Water Witch raid.
2012: June 2, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – Museum Theatre
2:30 p.m. – Interpretive Tour
3:30 p.m. – Museum Theatre
July – Medical Mysteries
Learn about Civil War surgery and medicine at sea through a variety of living history, reenactment and multimedia programs. Past topics include Surgery at Sea and the autopsy of John Wilkes Booth, held on a U.S. Navy ironclad monitor for security and secrecy.
2012: July 7, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – Museum Theatre/Living History
2:30 p.m. – Interpretive Tour
3:30 p.m. – Museum Theatre/Living History
During combat, the ship’s surgeon would typically set up on the dining table in the officers’ wardroom, as it was usually the only large table on board the ship. After any needed surgery was completed, the table would simply be wiped off, and diner would be served!
August – Inventing a New Navy
Ships with hybrid technology, composite armor and stealth design – the 21st Century Navy?
Nope - the Civil War Navies. In conjunction with National Inventors’ Month, Port Columbus presents a look at inventions and technological advancements in navies both North and South during the Civil War.
We’ll also take a special look at the Navy Yard here in Columbus and the engineering practiced there by Horace King and others.
2012: August 4, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – Museum Theatre/Living History
2:30 p.m. – Interpretive Tour
3:30 p.m. – Museum Theatre/Living History
