'Civil War Saturdays' starting at Old State Capitol

[September 11, 2012]  SPRINGFIELD -- "Civil War Saturdays," a continuation of the highly popular "History Comes Alive" summer program, will be presented on Saturdays from Sept. 15 through Dec. 29 at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site in downtown Springfield. The events are free and open to the public.

Costumed interpreters will be present at the Old State Capitol to give living history presentations on both the military and home front during the fall of 1862. Featured programs include "Civil War Stories by Candlelight," "Antietam Aftermath," "Meet Gov. Richard Oglesby," "The Brown Water Navy," "Civil War Camps and Cooking," and "Winter during the Civil War." Along with the scheduled presentations, the Springfield Soldiers' Aid Society will meet frequently in the Senate Chamber to create and assemble supplies to be shipped to Illinois Civil War soldiers.

Civil War Saturdays are part of the Old State Capitol's ongoing commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. During the 1840s and 1850s, the Old State Capitol was the scene of debate over issues that led the nation to war in 1861. During the Civil War, the Statehouse, as the seat of government, was the center of the state's efforts at wartime mobilization. The building also provided space for local events aiding the needs of local residents as well as soldier relief efforts.

A detailed schedule follows:

• Sept. 15: "Meet a Boy in Blue: The Battle of Antietam," 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.

• Sept. 22: "A Call to Arms!" 150th anniversary celebration of the 114th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, all day.

• Sept. 29: "This Fiery Trial: Civil War Stories by Candlelight," 6-9 p.m.

• Oct. 6: "Antietam Aftermath: An Appeal for Assistance," 1-3 p.m.

• Oct. 13: "Meet a Boy in Blue: The Battle of Perryville," 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.

• Oct. 20: "Civil War Camps and Cooking," all day.

• Oct. 27: "Meet a Boy in Blue: The Brown Water War; Naval Action on the Mississippi River early in the Civil War," 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.; and "Meet Gov. Richard Oglesby," noon and 2 p.m.

• Nov. 3: "Meet a Boy in Blue: President Lincoln and Gen. George McClellan," 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.

• Nov. 10: "Meet a Boy in Blue: The Geography of War," 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.

• Nov. 17: "Four Seasons: Ladies' Wardrobe," 2 to 3 p.m.

• Nov. 24: "Meet a Boy in Blue: The Campaigns Against Vicksburg, late 1862 to early 1863," 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.

• Dec. 1: "Meet a Boy in Blue: Winter in the Civil War," 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.

• Dec. 8: "Meet a Boy in Blue: The Battle of Fredericksburg," 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.

• Dec. 15: Soldiers' Aid Society New Year baskets for Camp Butler, all day.

• Dec. 29: "Meet a Boy in Blue: Flummoxed -- The Strategic Situation at the Midpoint of the War," 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.

For descriptions of the programs, click here.

The Old State Capitol State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days per week.

[Text from file received from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency]