Civil War weekend slated in Massena

MASSENA — Visitors of all ages can experience the sights and sounds of the Civil War at Robert Moses State Park in Massena on Saturday and Sunday, as the St. Lawrence County Historical Association presents the eighth annual Civil War Reenactment Weekend.

"We're making a big push with the living history aspect of it," said Capt. Scott A. Wilson of the 11th New York Independent Battery of Light Artillery, Louisville, who will bring 35 fellow re-enactors to the event.

Mr. Wilson, whose crew will use several full-scale cannons to provide artillery demonstrations,extolled the significance of re-enactments.

"Major Civil War sites are obviously not readily available in New York, even though over 5,000 St. Lawrence County residents were mustered in during the Civil War. You can probably find someone in your family tree who was mustered in," Mr. Wilson said.

Re-enactors portraying President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln are expected to attend, along with Grace Bedell, the 11-year-old New York girl who persuaded Lincoln to grow a beard. Maj. Gen. Isaac Trimble and his wife also are expected. They will be joined by Union and Confederate re-enactors from several states and Canada.

The Lime Hollow Boys will provide music from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Displays in the pavilion include household artifacts from the 1860s, Civil War military artifacts and a timeline produced by the historical association of Abraham Lincoln's life. Dan Gunlock, a re-enactor with the 2nd Vermont Infantry, will offer free appraisals of historical relics.

The weekend is hosted by the 2nd Michigan, Co. E Re-enactment Unit. Admission is $3 per person per day, free for children 6 and younger. The St. Lawrence County Detachment, Marine Corps League 408 will provide a food concession both days. For more information, call the association at 386-8133, e-mail suel@slcha.org or visit the Web site at www.slcha.org

Sponsors of the weekend are Stewart's Shops and SeaComm Federal Credit Union.