LIVERMORE — The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center in Livermore is hosting its 6th Civil War Reenactment Weekend on June 17 and 18.

It will feature the largest Civil War reenactment in Maine, with a variety of living history demonstrations, exhibits and activities.

The 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 nation’s most influential political families of the 19th Century and had a hand in transforming the nation at the time of the Civil War.

Union and Confederate military and civilian reenactors from across New England will be camped on the grounds. Cavalry units are also planning to attend. Living historians will scrimmage with replica weaponry and perform drilling and firing demonstrations. The 6th Maine Battery will fire their Parrott rifle/cannon. A full-scale battle scenario will be staged each day on the hay fields of the Norlands; 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

There will be ongoing presentations in the surgeon’s tent and in the field hospital after each battle.

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Visitors will also enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, military field music, tours of the 1867 Washburn estate, Victorian fashion shows, and a period-correct sermon on temperance in the 1828 meeting house. There will also be blacksmithing, a historic dress-up tent, craft activities, one-room schoolhouse, old-fashioned games, guided nature walks, farm life in Norlands farmer’s cottage, and talks on Maine’s Joshua Chamberlain and Civil War firearms.

On Saturday at 4 p.m. there will be dance lessons; at 4:30 p.m. a Civil War era wedding, reenacted by members of the 3rd ME Company A. A wedding celebration and pig roast will be held at 5 p.m.

To purchase tickets for the pig roast, visit www.norlands.org/6th-rally-for-norlands.html or call the Norlands at 207-897-4366.

At 6 p.m., there will be a barn dance with twirling hoop skirts, uniformed reenactors and fiddlers of The Racket Factory. The contra dance is free with the purchase of a supper ticket or general event admission, otherwise a $5 donation is suggested.

History exhibits and demonstrations of traditional crafts take place on Norlands’ picturesque front lawn.

The Jay-Livermore Falls Lions Club will serve hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries and drinks Saturday. Other lunch and snack items will be for sale on Sunday, while supplies last. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic lunch.

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Gates open at 9 a.m. daily. Daily rate is $12 for adults, $7 for children age 12 and under. Weekend pass is $18 for adults, $11 for children age 12 and under. Free for ages 5 and under.

Enter at the admission gate located behind the church. Parking is in the field across the street from the church.

For the safety and comfort of all animals and visitors, there are no dogs or other pets allowed on the property during Rally for Norlands. Service animals are the exception.

FMI: www.NORLANDS.org/6th-rally-for-norlands.html.

Union soldiers perform at the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center in Livermore in 2015.

The 15th Alabama Co. G Camp of Instruction is held at the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center in Livermore Falls this spring.

Dick and Marcia Cylik, reenactors with 3rd Maine Regiment Company A, stand in front of the Meeting House at the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center in Livermore.

Dick and Marcia Cylik, reenactors with 3rd Maine Regiment Company A, stand in front of the Meeting House at the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center in Livermore.


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