For immediate release
Contact: Beth E. Gerber, Director of Sales & Marketing

Telephone: 717-260-1861, Ext. 1201


Camp Curtin Comes to Life
The Sights and Sounds of Civil War Training Camp to be 
Re-created at The National Civil War Museum 

Harrisburg, PA (May 10, 2005) - One hundred forty-three years after Harper’s Weekly published an artist’s rendering of the historic Civil War training camp in Harrisburg, The National Civil War Museum will again recreate the patriotic fervor of the Camp Curtin during the Civil War.

During two special days in May, the Museum will take a step back in time, acquainting visitors with the men and women caught up in the nation’s most cataclysmic event.

“May 14^th and 15^th will be an exciting weekend at the Museum,” commented CEO George E. Hicks. “It is our hope to recreate the spirit of Camp Curtin and bring the very best of Civil War history to Harrisburg.  With encampments, demonstrations, music and food, we have designed the weekend to be entertaining and educational - - with something for everyone.”

Camp Curtin served as the largest Civil War training camp from 1861 - 1865.  Nearly 300,000 Union troops passed through Harrisburg en route to assignments across the war torn land.  The local camp served as a rallying spot and an instruction site for soldiers before units deployed to other theatres of War.  Harrisburg was a wartime city.  The streets were teeming with soldiers and new recruits, as well as the desirables and the undesirables who followed the path of opportunity.     

The weekend event, Camp Curtin Civil War Days, an annual affair, will feature soldiers at drill, work and play.  Activities will be held throughout both days and will include musket-firing demonstrations by infantry; cannon firing by artillery and heart charging mounted cavalrymen.
The National Civil War Museum Parade Grounds will serve as the recreated Camp Curtin, high atop the City’s beautiful Reservoir Park.  Participants include the Mifflin Guard; Company K, 1^st Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Infantry; 1^st Maine Cavalry; Hampton’s Battery F; Jody Ellis, performing as Signora Bella; The Ladies Union Relief Association (LURA); The Frederick Ladies Relief Society (FLRS); The Victorian Dance Ensemble; The Federal City Brass Band; the Arcona Reel Band and Calobe Jackson portraying T. Morris Chester.

A special presentation sponsored by HANGER Prosthetics, in association with the Amputee Support Team will take place in the Grand Rotunda of the Museum throughout the weekend. HANGER Prosthetics had its start during the Civil War, when 18-year-old James Edward Hanger, the second amputee of the Civil War was unhappy with his Government Issue leg. James Hanger decided to make his own prosthesis, and was in the prosthetic business in Richmond, VA, before the Civil War ended, serving both Yankee and Rebel soldiers.

Camp Curtin Civil War Days will take place on Saturday, May 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 15, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The special event is free with admission to the Museum ($7.00 for adults, with reduced rates for children, seniors and families).  Wristbands may be purchased for $2.00 per person for those wishing to take part in outdoor activities only.  Food and beverages will be available for purchase from The Museum’s Blue & Gray Club, Camp Curtin BBQ Station and Mazolli’s Ice Cream.    

Camp Curtin Civil War Days is made possible, in part, thanks to the support of the U.S. Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission.

The National Civil War Museum is the largest museum in the world dedicated to the entire scope of the war that divided our nation.  Exhibits are factual, yet humanistic in presentation, without bias to the Union or Confederate causes. 

The Museum, which has an on-site, full-service café and museum shop, is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m.  For more information about Camp Curtin Civil War Days or this unique attraction, please call 717.260.1861, or visit the Museum’s website at www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.

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2005