Beaufort History Museum will present its fifth annual Living History Encampment on Saturday, March 14, 2020 from 9 am – 5 pm in the Arsenal courtyard. Re-enactors coming to Beaufort from several states will portray Union troops from the Department of the South who were garrisoned in the Lowcountry and occupied the Beaufort Arsenal during the Civil War.
The re-enactors will set up camp in the walled Arsenal courtyard and provide a unique educational opportunity for visitors of all ages, who will be able to interact with the soldiers to learn firsthand how life was lived in Beaufort during the Civil War years. A Civil War era cannon will be on display in the Arsenal courtyard the day of the event.
The Museum is again partnering with the National Park Service (NPS) and its Reconstruction Era National Historical Park Visitors Center, located in the old Firehouse building on Craven Street across from the Arsenal, and with Beaufort County Library. The Museum’s highly acclaimed exhibit, Reconstruction Beaufort,is on display at NPS’ visitors center, which will be open the day of the Encampment.
Beaufort is the place where Reconstruction first began during the early years of the Civil War. The National Park Service plans special activities the day of the Encampment event for kids who want to earn their Junior Ranger badges and will have docents on hand at its visitors venter.
The Library, located at 311 Scott Street, will host two talks on Saturday, March 14 about Beaufort during the Civil War era. At 10 AM, NPS Ranger Christopher Barr will talk about the Reconstruction Era in Beaufort, and at 2 PM, storyteller Cora Newcomb, in period dress, will talk about “Women of Civil War Beaufort”. Both talks are free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served.
“Our annual Living History Encampment is one of the Museum’s most popular events and attracted more than 600 visitors in a single day last year”, said Carol Lauvray, BHM Board of Directors Member and Co-chair of the Encampment event committee. “We are very grateful to all of our partners, whose efforts and collaboration contribute to the Encampment’s success: encampment organizer Lou Evans and the other re-enactors; Scott Teodorski, Superintendent of the National Park Service’s Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, and Park Ranger Christopher Barr; and Grace Cordial of Beaufort County Library’s Beaufort District Collection.”
Admission is free to the Encampment in the Arsenal courtyard (donations to support the Museum are much appreciated). On the day of the Encampment event, admission to the Museum’s Exhibition Hall on the second floor of the Arsenal will be specially priced at $6.00 per visitor ($5.00 for seniors).Museum members, children, and active military and their families are admitted to the Museum free of charge at all times. Admission is free to the National Park Service’s Reconstruction Era National Historical Park Visitors Center.
Beaufort History Museum has evolved to focus specifically on the history of the Beaufort District. It strives to manage and display artifacts and documents held by the City of Beaufort, telling the compelling stories of this area from the early 16thCentury until modern times. Docent classes are conducted on an ongoing basis.
The Arsenal address is 713 Craven Street. Normal BHM hours of operation are 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday – Saturday. Docents are on duty to provide information and conduct tours. Please visit www.beauforthistorymuseum.com or the BHM Facebook page for updates and news from the Museum.
For information on becoming a Docent or Volunteer Greeter contact the Museum at info@beauforthistorymuseum.comor call 843-379-3079.
