David Davis Mansion hosts Civil War Days July 20-21

[July 13, 2013]  BLOOMINGTON -- The David Davis Mansion will present Civil War Days on July 20 and 21, offering hands-on craft demonstrations, battle re-enactments, music and activities for the whole family.

Period music by the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band, appearances by prominent Civil War figures, battle re-enactments with cannon fire and several other presentations will commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and other battles fought in the summer of 1863.

The events are in conjunction with Lincoln's Festival, a citywide celebration of Lincoln, and the observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

The event is free and open to the public, but the mansion welcomes donations. The suggested donation at the gate is $4 per adult, $2 per child or $10 per family.

Several activities will be focused around the transformation of the medical field during the Civil War, including surgical technique demonstrations, a military encampment re-enactment and other exhibits with interest in weapons and medicine of the era.

A demonstration of parade drilling, carriage rides, a Military Ball, rope making, root beer making and more will be part of the all-day event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Similar activities are planned for Sunday.

For more information and a schedule for the weekend, visit www.daviddavismansion.org.

Picnic-style food will be available for purchase, and vendors will be open to sell Civil War-era goods.

A special project will encourage visitors to write messages of support to tuck into a small pocket on the back of embroidered flags stitched together at the event. The Veterans of Foreign Wars will send them to McLean Country troops stationed overseas.

The David Davis Mansion State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, was built for Judge David Davis and his wife, Sarah. Davis was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by his grateful friend, Abraham Lincoln, and had this lavish Victorian mansion built in 1872.

The David Davis Mansion, at 1000 Monroe Drive in Bloomington, is open Wednesday through Sunday for free public tours.

[Text from file received from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency]