Beaufort History Museum will present its fourth annual Living History Encampment on Saturday, March 9, 2019 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 also will be on display in the Arsenal courtyard the day of the event.
This year for the Encampment, the Museum is partnering with the National Park Service (NPS) and its Reconstruction Era National Monument visitors center, located in the old Firehouse building on Craven Street across from the Arsenal. The Museum’s highly acclaimed exhibit Reconstruction Beaufortis 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.
“Our annual Living History Encampment is one of the Museum’s most popular events, 
attracting hundreds of visitors in a single day,” said Carol Lauvray, BHM Board of Directors President. “We are very grateful to the encampment organizer, Lou Evans, to the other re-enactors, and to Scott Teodorski, Superintendent of the Park Service’s Reconstruction Era National Monument, for partnering with the Museum to make this remarkable event available to the public.”
Admission is free to the Encampment in the Arsenal courtyard, however donations to support the Museum are much appreciated. On the day of the Encampment event, admission to the Museum’s newly renovated Exhibition Hall on the second floor of the Arsenal will be specially priced at $5.00 per visitor ($4.00 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 Monument 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.
