Saturday, July 5, 2008

Programs & Events

Learning through Lectures

Fort Ward sponsors lectures for the public on Civil War and preservation topics. If you want to learn from conservation experts how to preserve and care for valued items such as family photographs, vintage documents, fine furniture and textiles, then look for notice of the "Home Care of Heirlooms and Collectibles" series sponsored by the Museum.

Fort Ward also offers lectures and a symposium on Civil War subjects presented by writers and experts in the field. Past topics have included the colorful Zouave troops, medicine in the Civil War, women's involvement, African American participation, Alexandria during the Civil War and tracing your Civil War ancestor. These programs are held in the Museum Library, usually by reservation. Please call 703-838-4848 for more information.


Living History Events

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The Civil War period comes to life at Fort Ward's special events which feature historic interpreters in Civil War attire and living history demonstrations. Living history programs provide a close-up look at soldier life and an opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of daily life in a typical Union fort in the Defenses of Washington.

Visitors can walk through the regimental camps, observe camp life, watch soldiers drilling and parading, and meet and talk to soldiers and civilians in camp. Refreshments and old-fashioned childrens games are also offered. At the annual Christmas in Camp holiday program, living history interpreters, both soldier and civilian, musicians, and a Civil War period Thomas Nast Santa Claus are featured. Throughout the year, informal military encampments and living history demonstrations are offered.

Christmas in Camp Open House

Military and civilian interpreters will welcome the public to the Museum, which will be decorated with period greenery and a Victorian tree, and invite them to visit soldiers in winter camps. A highlight of the program will be a Civil War-era Santa Claus, dressed according to a wartime image popularized by illustrator Thomas Nast. Santa will visit the troops, hear children's holiday wishes, and read The Night Before Christmas. The Museum's Officers' Hut will be the setting for soldiers opening Christmas boxes from home and sharing how they plan to observe the holiday far from home and family. Inside the Museum, visitors will enjoy period music and light refreshments. Weather permitting, soldiers will conduct guided tours of the fort. Suggested donation is $2/adults and $1/children.

Fort Ward Summer Camp

This week of fun and learning introduces children to life during the Civil War. Activities include drilling, craft projects, Civil War food and music, visits by reenactors, nineteenth-century games, lessons on Civil War flags, setting up Civil War tents, and keeping a journal. Fee includes snacks, kepi, tin cup, haversack and craft projects. Children should bring a bag lunch each day.

9:00 am - 1:00 pm daily
Ages: 8 - 12
Enrollment limit: 20 campers
Fee: ~$200

For xurrent registration information and/or application contact Fort Ward Museum at 703.838.4848.

Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site
4301 West Braddock Road
Alexandria, VA 22314
tel: 703-838-4848
fax: 703-671-7350

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