Civil War Reenactors Encampment in Freehold

Monmouth County Historical Association will host a Civil War reenactors encampment during the weekend of September 22nd and 23rd  on the grounds of the Museum & Library, 70 Court Street, Freehold.  The public will be welcome to tour the encampment between 10 am and 5 pm on Saturday, and 10am – 4pm on Sunday.   Tours of the current exhibition “Marching Away:  Monmouth in the Civil War” will also be offered inside the Museum.

Organized by the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry Company D reenactors group, the event will feature both military activities and demonstrations as well as craft demonstrations from the Civil War era.  According to Antoinette David, of the 2nd Rhode Island, “The reenactors really enjoy engaging the public as they practice their drills and demonstrations and are ready to answer any questions about the life of a Civil War soldier.  This will be a terrific family event.”  Ongoing activities will include:  demonstrations of rug making, chair caning, hat box making and cooking over the open fire using recipes from the mid-nineteenth century.  There will also be displays of toys of the period and of models of naval vessels used in the Civil War.  Mary Todd Lincoln will be on hand to talk with visitors about her husband, President Lincoln, and about her experiences as First Lady.

In addition, another reenactor group, the 6th New York Independence Battery, will be bringing a vintage 1863 Civil War cannon for display and giving demonstrations of how a cannon would have been loaded to fire.

Scheduled activities on both days will be as follows: 

• 11:00 am – Military Drills with discussion on types of formation 


• 1:00 pm – Rifle Shooting Contest with an explanation of gun fare 


• 2:00 pm – Victorian Tea 


• 3:00 pm – Dancing of the Period with instruction  

The exhibition, “Marching Away: Monmouth County in the Civil War,” will be on view at the Historical Association through March 2013.  Last year marked the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War and this timely exhibition explores how this conflict impacted the brave Monmouth County men who volunteered to join the Union Army. Funding for the exhibition has been provided by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.

Admission to both the encampment and the museum exhibition is free.  Parking will be available at the Monmouth County Courthouse parking lot. 

Monmouth County Historical Association is a private non-profit organization that has been working to preserve history and provide educational opportunities since its founding in 1898.  The Historical Association’s Museum and Library is located at 70 Court Street, Freehold, New Jersey.  Museum hours are: Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The Library is open Wednesday through Saturday.  For membership or admission fees and further information, please call (732) 462-1466 or visit our web site at www.monmouthhistory.org. 

                Monmouth County Historical Association received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.