Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2010 Civil War Weekend and helped to make it such a success. Information about next year's event will be posted on this page once we set a date so check back frequently.
To receive email updates about next year's Civil War Weekend, click here and mark the Civil War Weekend box.
Event Overview
March 20 & 21, 2010
SCMA Campus
Download event flier
The Civil War is brought to life! Professional Civil War re-enactors come from all over southern California to participate in this annual event held at St. Catherine's Military Academy.
- Meet President Abraham Lincoln
- Tour Union and Confederate encampments
- Watch battles with over 200 re-enactors (am/pm)
- Visit the sutlers' marketplace
- Participate in the Trivia Challenge - a historical scavenger hunt
Schedule of Events
Times are approximate. Same schedule for Saturday & Sunday.
- 9:30 AM
Re-enactors’ Muster Call & Musket Inspection
- 10:30 AM
Inspection of Union & Confederate Troops • Presentation of VMI flag
- 11:00 AM
New Market Skirmish • VMI Roll Call - of Fallen Cadets • Pass In Review
- 11:45 AM
Abraham Lincoln- Gettysburg Address
- 12:00 NOON
Mid-Day Activities – Living History • Camps Open to the Public • Trivia Challenge • Mercantile Open for Trade • Regimental Hospital Receiving Patients • Displays – Class projects, Book Fair • Artillery Demonstration • Picnic with Re-enactors
- 2:00 PM
Afternoon Battle – Conclusive Union Victory • Platoon Drill with Arms
- 3:00 pm
Camps closed to the public
Admission for A Day In History
$4 for children, seniors, and students with valid student ID
$7 for adults
More Educational Opportunities
- Trivia Challenge
Unique to St. Catherine's, the Trivia Challenge is a historical scavenger hunt that sends students around St. Catherine's 8-acre campus to learn about the Civil War. Students must interact and converse with re-enactors in order to complete the challenge.
Students may ask a soldier what he carries in his haversack, watch a surgeon comfort a wounded man at the field hospital, or even learn the lingo of 1860’s baseball. A new Trivia Challenge is created each year depending on which groups of re-enactors will be present at the event.
Students can pick up the Trivia Challenge at the event . Answers will be posted on Wednesday, March 24, 2010. Teachers are encouraged to use the Trivia Challenge for extra credit. Examples from past years are available on our Downloads tab (see above).
- Free Classroom Presentations
In the two weeks leading up to the re-enactment, St. Catherine’s volunteer, former educator, and history buff Mary Crowley travels to local schools with a classroom presentation she has perfected over the last twelve years. Using PowerPoint, poster boards, and good old-fashioned story-telling, this 30-40-minute presentation helps students better understand the New Market Skirmish, which is re-enacted during both days of the Civil War Weekend.
The presentation includes a brief explanation about the events that led up to the New Market Skirmish, the skirmish itself, and the key role of cadets from Virginia Military Institute. It also provides critical information of how the skirmish will be played out on the battlefield and what the students need to look for during the re-enactment.
Classroom presentations are provided free of charge and on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested schools and children’s groups can schedule a presentation by calling St. Catherine’s at (714) 772-1363.
- Thursday Evening Presentation
Students and families who do not have a chance to view the classroom presentation at school are invited to attend the same presentation at St. Catherine's on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. This presentation is open to the public. Tours of the campus and information about St. Catherine's will also be available.
Every person who attends the Thursday night presentation will receive one complimentary ticket to attend the re-enactment on Saturday or Sunday.
- Additional Resources
A flier, study guide, and PowerPoint presentation are available on our Downloads tab (see above).
Location
St. Catherine’s Military Academy
215 N. Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92805
714-772-1363