LIVERMORE — The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center will present a special tribute on Saturday, Nov. 9, honoring local Civil War veterans and will highlight Cadwallader Colden Washburn (1818-1882), founder of Gold Medal Flour, a major general during the Civil War, and governor of Wisconsin.

A heritage dinner will be followed by readings and music of the Civil War in the Ladies’ Parlor of the 1867 Washburn Family Mansion.

A dinner of roast pork, roasted vegetables, coleslaw, rolls and dessert will be served in the historic Farmer’s Cottage then patrons will adjourn to the parlor for an opportunity to hear readings from Cadwallader’s Civil War letters and songs of the era sung with piano accompaniment in an authentic setting.

Presented by Norlands’ interpretive staff, the program will features Cadwallader Colden Washburn (1818-1882), the fourth child of Israel and Martha Washburn.

“Cad” was the first of Livermore’s Washburn brothers to travel west and make his fortune. In 1842, he settled in Mineral Point, Wisc., practiced law and owned a land office and bank. He was elected to Congress in 1855, where his brothers, Israel Jr. and Elihu, were already serving.

During the Civil War, he went back to Wisconsin and rose to the rank of major general. He returned to congress for two more terms after the war and was elected governor of Wisconsin. Cad made a fortune in lumbering, saw mills, and his flour company.

In 1880 he entered his flour in a contest at the Miller’s International Exhibition in Cincinnati, Ohio, where it won the bronze, the silver and the gold prizes. His company became Gold Medal Flour.

The program concludes with a roll call of local Civil War soldiers.

Tickets must be purchased by Tuesday, Nov. 5, by calling 897-4366 or emailing programs@norlands.org. A vegetarian dinner option is available by request. Cost is  $20 a person, seating at 6:30 p.m.