John James Audubon State Park’s Civil War Living History Weekend: Don’t Take Man’s Best Friend to a Civil War Reenactment!

Back in '97, Jenny and I were driving to my parents' winter home in Florida for Christmas, and along the way, we were learning some U.S. history by hitting Civil War battlefields.  We had both of our dogs, Sam and Spencer, with us, which was no problem because we could leave them in our big conversion van with the side windows open (screens).  However, at one battlefield there was to be a reenactment and we made the BIG mistake of taking the dogs with us...

Don't ask me why it didn't register in our pea-sized brains that there would be LOTS of loud noises that would most likely make the dogs go spastic.  When that first cannon fired, Jenny and I (each restraining a dog on a leash) were suddenly aware of what a stupid decision it was that we had made.  Our dogs went practically wild!  Who could blame them, right?

We scrambled/ran/stumbled away from the incredibly loud, earth-shaking noise of the cannons and muskets as fast as we could while doing our best not to lose our grips on the leashes.  Actually, we were both hoping the leashes wouldn't break, because if they did, we would probably never see our dogs again!

Okay, so lesson learned.  I wanted to share that story with you so that you are never as lacking in common sense as we were that day.  Don't take any animals to a battlefield reenactment!

Now that I've imparted that wisdom unto you, I'd like to tell you about a Civil War reenactment that's coming to Henderson's John James Audubon State Park.  A Civil War Living History Weekend has been planned for May 2-4, including battle demonstrations and other activities.  Artillery, infantry and hospital units will be present, too.

The hours of operation for the reenactments will be May 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 3 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a battle demonstration at 10 a.m. and a period ball at 7 p.m., which the public is invited to (dress for it if you can), and May 4 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a period church service at 9 a.m. and battle demonstration at 2 p.m.

Different events and demonstrations will be taking place in various locations throughout the park with battle demonstrations at the driving range.  Read more here!