LIVERMORE — The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center will host its fifth Civil War Reenactment Weekend June 13 and 14.

This event is one of Maine’s largest reenactments and will feature a wide variety of living history demonstrations, exhibits and activities remembering the activities of the Civil War. This family-friendly event is organized by the 3rd Maine Company A and 15th Alabama Company G to benefit Maine’s oldest living history farm and museum.

While no actual battles took place at Norlands, the historic site has a real connection to the Civil War. The Washburns from Livermore are one of the nations’ most influential political families of the 19th century and had a hand in transforming the nation at the time of the war. Israel Washburn, Jr. was elected governor in 1861 and quickly became known as Maine’s little-known giant of the Civil War.

At this time, his brother, Cadwallader, was serving as a Major General in Wisconsin. Their brother Elihu was instrumental in getting Abraham Lincoln elected to the Presidency. Their younger brother Samuel served in the U.S. Navy and was Acting Master of the ironclad gunboat, U.S.S. Galena, when it sustained fire on the James River.

Union and Confederate military and civilian re-enactors from across New England will be camped on the grounds. Living historians will scrimmage with replica weaponry. The 6th Maine Battery will be on hand to fire their Parrott Rifle and cannon. A battle scenario will be staged each day on the hay fields of the Norlands, at 2 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Calvary units are also planning to attend.

Visitors can also participate in living history tours of the 1867 elegant Washburn estate; a Victorian ladies’ tea party, a 19th century fashion show, an historically accurate sermon on temperance and an organ concert in the 1828 meeting house, blacksmithing, programs about the Washburns’ role in the Civil War, historic dress-up tent, one-room schoolhouse, old-fashioned games and horse-drawn wagon rides. Visitors can also meet the Bradford family, 19th century neighbors to the Washburns, as they go about their daily life, discuss the war and gossip about the neighbors.

Willi Irish, Norlands’ director of interpretation and training, will present two interactive programs about the Washburn family. Visitors have a chance to participate in the “The Busy Cradle” story in the library at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. This will feature the original cradle that rocked 10 children surrounded by portraits of the family and artifacts from the Civil War era.

At noon on Sunday, visitors can meet “Patty Washburn,” the mother of this grand family. In “Reminiscences of the Old Woman,” Willi will portray Patty as she looks back on her family and tells you all about her aspirations for her children.

Historian Kerck Kelsey will give a talk on the Washburn family’s connection to Abraham Lincoln. He is a direct descendant of Cadwallader Colden Washburn and will speak about his great-great Uncle Elihu’s political friendship with Lincoln. The talk takes place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 13.

Kerck’s talk is followed by a special visit from President Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Steve Wood, at 11 a.m. June 13. He’ll share anecdotes from Lincoln’s visit to New Hampshire, stories of his early life, campaign debates with Stephen Douglas and the Civil War that followed his election to the presidency. He’ll then walk the crowd and visit the Union Camp, just as Lincoln often did during the War.

History exhibits and demonstrations of traditional crafts will take place on Norlands’ front lawn. Participating vendors include Shaky Barn Farm Gardens, Malbons Mills Blacksmith Shop, Forrest Bonney Handcrafted Furniture, Koviashuvik Living Local School, Creative Basketry by Diane Wheeler, Grammy’s Aprons by Linda Myhaver, Western Maine Blacksmith Association, Phoenix Pottery, Malbons Mills History Camp, weaving demonstrations by Jane Peterson and Cherry Smith, and historical displays by Androscoggin Historical Society, Rumford Historical Society and Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum/Pejepscot Historical Society.

The Jay-Livermore Falls Lions Club will serve hamburgers and hot dogs during both days of the event. Visitors are also invited to bring a picnic lunch. The Norlands will also be having a bake sale to benefit the barn raising campaign.

Norlands will also have a chicken barbecue and bean supper at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 12, organized by the Jay VFW Post 3335. Tickets are $13; $7 ages 12 and under. The Norlands is recommending those who wish to attend buy tickets in advance as only a limited number of tickets will be available the day of the event.

A lively gala contra dance featuring The Racket Factory with Kenlyn Clark calling will take place at 6 p.m. The contra dance is free of charge. Norlands is welcoming dancers of all abilities and a Civil War era costume is not required.

After the dance, visitors are invited to take a twilight tour of the Union and Confederate camps.

The gates open at 9 a.m. each day of the event. Daily rate: $10 adult; $6 for children under age 12. Weekend pass: $16 adult; $10 for children under age 12. It is free for ages 5 and under.

Entrance to the event is at the admission gate located by the church. Parking is across the street in the field. For the safety and comfort of all animals and visitors, there are no dogs or other pets allowed on the property during the rally. Service dogs are the exception.

FMI: www.norlands.org, 207-897-4366, [email protected].