2019 Lehigh Valley Civil War Days
Experience history at the 12th Annual Lehigh Valley Civil War Days on June 1-2, 2019 at Whitehall Park in Whitehall, Pennslyvania. The Lehigh Valley Civil War Days weekend will include a battle reenactment each day centering on the events during the early days of the war. This will include fighting in trenches that have been constructed for the event. Learn how the Civil War was fought in 1864 through battle reenactments, discussions with Living Historians and tours of the trenches. Take time to stroll through the Military Camps, talk with the reenactors from both sides, and learn about a Soldier’s Life and activities during the war.
Lehigh Valley Civil War Days
Between Lehigh Valley Civil War Days battle reenactments, walk down the Friends of Camp Geiger’s historical street, featuring the U.S. Sanitary Commission, children’s games, parlor games for adults, a children’s recruiting station and more. Children can simulate joining the war effort at a recruitment station, where they will be given wooden rifles and taught how to load them and go through lineup. Children’s games include jacks and cups and Game of Graces, where children use two rods to toss a hoop back and forth. Visit the Lyceum to learn about Civil War period music and to hear lectures about the war. Infantry and Artillery demonstrations, and period music can be seen throughout the day. The Lehigh Valley Civil War Days Saturday evening twilight concert at the Lyceum will be followed by exciting artillery night firing. Sutlers and food vendor will be on site to serve reenactors and spectators.
Displays and Activities on Camp Geiger Historic Street
- U.S. Sanitary Commission: (Women’s work on the home front to support the war effort)
- Children’s Games: Play the games of children in the 1860s
- Field Hospital: See how the soldiers received medical treatment
- Laundress: Washboards and elbow grease-keeping your clothes clean
- U.S. Sanitary Commission Hospital Cook and Quartermaster: Cooking for the masses and organizing an army on the move
- School: See how children were taught in the 1860s
- Children’s Recruiting Center: Join the Army and learn the life of a soldier
Admission to Lehigh Valley Civil War Days
Free admission for spectators. Donations to benefit Civil War battlefield preservation will be accepted..
Spectator Information
Please do not wear period attire or bring weapons to the Lehigh Valley Civil War Daysunless you are a registered participant.
style=”margin-top:20px; margin-bottom:20px;”Lehigh Valley Civil War Days Mini Gallery
9:00 PM – Field Commanders and Company Commanders Meeting at Lyceum
Saturday
7:00 AM – Reveille
8:00 AM – CLEAR CAMP OF ALL CARS UNTIL Noon SUNDAY
9:00 AM – Camps Open to the Public
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM – Activities on the Historic Street (See list of activities)
9:30 AM – Morning Assembly and Weapons Inspection (See the troops gather to receive their daily orders and have their weapons inspected)
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Tactical in the woods – weather permitting (Reenactors only)
11:30 AM – Ration call (See what food the troops were issued to eat)
12:00 N – Medical Demonstration – (See how the wounded were taken care of)
12:30 N – 5:00 PM – Entertainment at the Lyceum (See schedule of the events at the Lyceum)
1:00 PM – Commanders meeting at Headquarters
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Behind the Trench Tours on the hour both Union and Confederate trenches (Spectators are given the opportunity to visit with the troops in the trenches.) (Trenches closed during battle depiction.)
2:30 PM – Assembly and Weapons Inspection
3:00 PM – Battle depiction of the Federal attack at Cold Harbor.
4:30 PM – School of the Soldier for Children and Rifle firing demonstration – See how actual rifles were loaded and fired. Also, learn the different ways a Civil War regiment fired. Learn why you should not stand in front of a rifle even though they are firing blanks. (At the 153rd PA camp near the Historic Street)
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM – Period dance and concert at the Lyceum everyone, including the public is invited.
8:30 PM – Rifle firing demonstration
9:00 PM – Camps Close to the Public
Sunday
7:00 AM – Reveille
9:00 AM – Camps Open to the Public
9:30 AM – Morning Assembly and Weapons Inspection (See the troops gather to receive their daily orders and have their weapons inspected)
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM – Activities on the Historic Street (See list of activities)
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM – Entertainment at the Lyceum (See schedule of the events at the Lyceum)
10:00 AM – Commanders meeting at Headquarters
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM – Activities in the Union Military Camp
11:00 AM – Battle depiction of the attack on the Fort Stedman at Petersburg with a closing ceremony to follow.
Noon – Event Ends – Camps Close to Public
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Lehigh Valley Civil War Days Reenactor Information
Registration Fee
$10 until May 15; $15 after May 15
Sutlers fees: $50
Water and wood will be provided. Ice and straw are available to reenactors for small fee. Cavalry, artillery and sutlers are by invitation only.
No reenactor is allowed to set up camp before Friday NOON. We do not have permission before then from the township and the insurance will not cover any accidents prior to the date set for the event.
Online Registration Form
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- AGE: 16 years of age to handle weapons; 14 years to be a musician
- Footwear MUST be period-NO SNEAKERS **special needs prior to approval
- Eye wear must be correct or as close to be correct, you may also wear
- Canteens are MANDATORY- they must be filled before taking the field.
- Ramrods are permitted but not drawn.
- Bayonets not to be fixed on the scabbards must have tips unbroken on the field belt.
- No weapons are to be discharged within 25 yards.
- No taking of flags unless discussed ahead of
- Fouled muskets are to be taken a minimum of 29 paces behind the line, under the supervision of Sgt/Armorer to clear only.
- No visible anachronisms in camp at any time; this includes but not limited to: coolers, cans/bottles, 20th century clothing (shirts, sneakers, ETC), sleeping bags and railroad lanterns. Camps will be inspected.
- No drunken or boisterous behavior will be tolerated. No alcohol permitted on the grounds. Quiet hours are from 11 pm to 6 AM.
- Straw will be available for sleeping and tents at a cost.
- Firewood will be available Take only what you need, when you need it.
- Registration opens Friday at NOON and closes at 8 pm; will reopen Saturday at 7 am.
- No cars in camp after 9 am Saturday and not again Sunday until 12 Noon. NO EXCEPTIONS!
- If you are in period attire you MUST pay the fee required.
- All children must be watched by an adult and not running in other camps or on the field.
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For More Information: Call Neil Coddington at 610-837-7403; email friendsofcampgeiger@gmail.com
About Friends of Camp Geiger
The mission of the Friends of Camp Geiger, host organization of the Lehigh Valley Civil War Days, is to unite the many organizations in and around the Lehigh Valley engaged in portraying the different aspects of American Civil War society. Friends of Camp Geiger will work with the united organizations towards the goal of restoring and expanding the Civil War Days event at Whitehall, and striving towards the addition of future events like it. In doing so, our goal is to restore to the Lehigh Valley area, local events seared towards the education and preservation of Americas’ Civil War Heritage, thus “Teaching history through living history”. The Friends of Camp Geiger is named in memory of Christopher Geiger, who passed away in July 2003 while serving in Afghanistan. Geiger also volunteered as a Civil War re-enactor.
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Lehigh Valley Civil War Days at Whitehall Park in Whitehall, Pennsylvania.
Tags: Lehigh Valley Civil War Days, Friends of Camp Geiger, Pennsylvania Civil War Reenactment