2019 Lake County Forest Preserves Civil War Days in Wauconda
Relive history at the 28th Annual Lake County Forest Preserves Civil War Days in Wauconda, Illinois on July 13-14, 2019 at the Lake County Discovery Museum. Don’t miss northern Illinois’ largest Civil War Reenactment with over 600 reenactors! Canceled due to “Safety Concerns” after 28 years. (Read Details) The Lake County Discovery Museum presents the annual Civil War Days encampment, featuring infantry, cavalry and artillery reenactors, as well as musicians, sutlers, medical personnel and civilians. Ongoing drills, kids’ activities, and Civil War era shopping is available both days.
Lake County Forest Preserves Civil War Days in Wauconda
The boom of cannons, the crack of rifles, the galloping of horse hooves welcomes you at the Lake County Forest Preserves Civil War Days in Wauconda. Watch as union and confederate forces collide in battle reenactments. A large scale battle can be viewed on both Saturday and Sunday. Visit the 1863 Summer Fair, meet President Lincoln and shop Civil War era vendors. Kids enjoy period crafts, games and a scavenger hunt.
Wander the Camps, talk to reenactors.
Visitors of all ages to Wauconda Civil War Days are invited to explore the military and civilian camps to learn about life in the 1860s. In the civilian camps and Civil War shops, visitors can meet blacksmiths, quilters, tin smiths and other historical figures from the era. In the military camps, re-enactors bring to life activities such as payday, weapon checks, mail call and drills.
Meet Historical Figures
While exploring the grounds of the Lake County Forest Preserves Civil War Days in Wauconda, visitors can meet historical figures including Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and generals Lee, Jackson, Custer, Grant and Sherman. Kids can enjoy special period crafts and games, period magic show and complete a scavenger hunt around the site.
1863 Summer Fair
The Summer Fair portrays July 1863 in Lake County, Illinois. As always, the Summer Fair at the Lake County Forest Preserves Civil War Days in Wauconda will take the local facts from the period and present them in a unique civilian living history venue. Imagine—a war-time summer agricultural and social event in a prosperous, hard-working county of the President’s own great state of Illinois! Each annual 1863 Summer Fair is a chance for dedicated living historians who love their craft to showcase their talents. All you need is one good historic item, homegrown plant or fascinating concept that you can build a plausible Fair Entry around. If you don’t wish to exhibit at the Fair, we hope you’ll drop by for a browse! Summer Fair Registration »View more details about the 1863 Summer Fair, including ‘impression categories’ and contests.
Wauconda Civil War Days Mini Gallery
Local Civil War Involvement
Although no Civil War battles took place in Illinois, Lake County citizens had a direct involvement that makes the Lake County Forest Preserves Civil War Days in Wauconda relevant. Illinois sent the second-most troops of any state to serve in the Union forces, and Lake County sent some 2,000 men — or a quarter of its population in the early 1860s. Additionally, soldiers from the Illinois were awarded 112 Medals of Honor between 1861 and 1865. Then there is the fact that Abraham Lincoln, thought born in Kentucky and living until he was 21 in Indiana, spent his adult and political years in Illinois, serving as a Congressman before being elected President.
Event Admission
Tickets may be purchased online or on-site. Purchase tickets online and save $1 on admission. Please note, on-site payment is cash only. Tickets include parking and free admission to the museum.
Daily: $10 adults, $5 youth (ages 4–17) and seniors (62 and up). Children 3 and under are free.
Weekend pass: $15, $7 youth and seniors. Purchase weekend pass »
Hours
Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Registration for Re-enactors
Be part of the action at the Lake County Forest Preserves Civil War Days in Wauconda. Whether a Union, Confederate or civilian participant, or you want to be here as part of the Summer Fair or as a Sutler, chose the link below to register.
Registration for Military and Civilian Reenactor Registration »
Summer Fair Registration »
Sutler Registration »
Wauconda Civil War Days Location
Lakewood Forest Preserve
27277 Forest Preserve Road
Wauconda, IL 60084
For More Information:
Lake County Discovery Museum: Call (847) 968-3400; Email lcmuseum@lcfpd.org
[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Wauconda Civil War Days Schedule (subject to change)”]
Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm
All Day
Military Camps: Explore the camps – Talk to soldiers officers, medical staff and more about military life in the 1860s
1863 Summer Fair Fairgrounds: A recreated agricultural fair – Craftsmen, demonstrations, entertainment, animals and more
11 am – 5 pm Kids’ Crafts & Games; Kids’ Activity Area
10 am Dress Parade; Military Camps
10:15 am Drill; Battlefield, North Side
11 am Local History Talk: A Slave’s Journey to Freedom Archives Building
11:30 am 1860s Camp Cooking Tour Meet at Information Tent
Local History Talk: Lincoln’s Visit to Waukegan; Archives Building
Dr. Benjamin Lyford, Embalming Surgeon Fairgrounds
12:00 pm President Lincoln: To Bind Up the Nation’s Wounds; Archives Building
Summer Fair Food Judging Fairgrounds
12:45 pm The Great Battles of 1862 with Grant, Lee, Custer & Co.; Archives Building
1:30 A Visit with President Lincoln; Kids’ Activity Area
1:45 pm Harriet Tubman; Archives Building
2:30 pm Gatling Gun, Model 1862
Firing Demonstration; Battlefield, North Side
Pre-battle Activities & Safety Inspection; Military Camps
3:00 – 3:45 pm Narrated Battle* Battlefield
3:45 pm Post-battle Ceremonies & Address By President Lincoln*; Battlefield
4:15 Dr. Benjamin Lyford, Embalming Surgeon; Fairgrounds
Sunday 9 am – 3 pm
All Day: Military Camps & 1863 Summer Fair; Fairgrounds
10 am – 3 pm Kids’ Games & Crafts; Kids’ Activity Area
10 am Dress Parade; Military Camps
10:30 am Drill; Battlefield, North Side
11:30 am President Lincoln: To Bind Up the Nation’s Wounds; Archives Building
12 pm Dr. Benjamin Lyford, Embalming Surgeon Fairgrounds Infantry Firing Competition; Battlefield, North Side
12:15 pm Sojourner Truth A Visit with President Lincoln Kids’ Activity Area; Archives Building
1:00 pm Gatling Gun, Model 1862 Firing Demonstration; Battlefield, North Side
Pre-battle Activities & Safety ; Military Camps
1:30 – 2:15 pm Narrated Battle*; Battlefield
2:15 pm Post-Battle Ceremonies and Address By President Lincoln*; Battlefield
2:30 pm The Generals’ News Conference Archives Building
With Grant, Lee, Custer & Co.
*Narration is only available on the north side of the Battlefield.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
Please note: No dogs are allowed at the Wauconda Civil War Days, with the exception of service animals.
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Lake County Forest Preserves Civil War Days in Wauconda, Illinois at the Lake County Discovery Museum.
Tags: Lake County Forest Preserves Civil War Days, Wauconda Civil War Days, Wauconda Civil War Reenactment, Illinois Civil War Reenactment