Spring into History (Jan-April)
February 16, 2013 – Black in Blue: African Americans in the Civil War Navies
150 years ago 35 African American men from the Chattahoochee River valley escaped slavery and joined the United States Navy. 150 years ago Slaves and former Slaves fought on opposing sides in Civil War Navies. 150 years ago black men and white men received equal pay in the United States Navy. Come hear the personal stories of African Americans, free and enslaved, sailor and civilian. Our presentations include Museum Theatre performances as well as tours of our award winning exhibits.
Cost: Regular Admission
Saturday, February 16 – 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
1:30 pm – Black in Blue – Museum Theatre
A Reader’s Theatre presentation of the compelling stories of real African Americans as they were affected by the Navies of the Civil War; the performances will be followed by a talk back with the performers and the Executive Director of the National Civil War Naval Museum on the importance of telling these kinds of stories about African Americans and the Civil War.
2:30 pm – Black in Blue – Interpretive Tour
Guided tour of the Museum’s galleries with a special focus on the stories of the African American experience in the Navies of the Civil War
3:30 pm – Black in Blue – Museum Theatre
A Reader’s Theatre presentation of the compelling stories of real African Americans as they were affected by the Navies of the Civil War; the performances will be followed by a talk back with the performers and the Executive Director of the National Civil War Naval Museum on the importance of telling these kinds of stories about African Americans and the Civil War.
March 16, 2013 – RiverBlast!
Each spring, sailors and marines both Union and Confederate gather at Port Columbus for RiverBlast! This living history weekend is Port Columbus’ largest living history event, and draws reenactors from around the country. Featuring weapons demonstrations, cannon firings, skirmishes, event reenactments and scenes from a sailor’s daily life, this event has something for everyone.
Civilians in Service, Women In Revolt – Part of our Sesquicentennial Programming, this program will look at life in the Chattahoochee River Valley during the middle and later years of the Civil War.
Schedule: (Tentative and Subject to Change)
10: 00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ongoing living history interpretation of Sailors’ daily life at Water Witch and Dock. Ongoing living history encampment/interpretation at Pawnee Marine camp on grounds.
1:00 p.m. – Cannon Firing
1:30 p.m. – Home Front Presentation
2:30 p.m. – Museum Tour
3:30 p.m. – Museum Theatre Performance
4:00 p.m. – Cannon Firing
April 17-20, 2013 – History Now! – Museum Theatre Festival
This living history and museum theatre festival will feature performances interpreting the 11th to 20th centuries through music, song, dance and drama. Programming will include participants from Mercury Studios in Los Angeles, The Smithsonian, Colonial Williamsburg, and the Liberty Theatre in Columbus, GA, to name a few. Watch this space and facebook.com/cwnavy for updates.
For information on Reenactor participation in Museum programs and living history events, contact info (at) portcolumbus.org.
