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 One group is a full brass band, the same kind that would have
served in the military during the Civil War. The other is a
three-person string band, playing and singing everything from
patriotic airs to foot-stomping dance tunes to sentimental ballads.
“A Night of 19th Century Music” begins at 7:30 p.m. in Union Square
Park, just across the street from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum (212 N. Sixth Street, Springfield).
Limited seating will be available. We encourage guests to bring
their own lawn chairs. Hot dogs, chips, popcorn, soda, bottled water
and cookies will be for sale.
Reservations are requested, but no ticket is required for entry.
Make your reservations at
www.presidentlincoln.illinois.gov.
The concert features Illinois’ own 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment
Band, an authentic re-creation of the actual Civil War band that was
mustered at State Normal University in 1861. They play authentic
antique instruments of the 1860s.
The 33rd was re-created in 1996 by central Illinois musicians. Like
the original band, the musicians were recruited from the same
geographical area and come from all walks of life. The band's
uniforms, sewn from natural wool fibers, are authentic in every
detail and patterned from actual specimens worn by Union soldiers.
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 The
concert also includes the 97th Regimental String Band from Largo, Florida. The
group recreates an actual string band of the Civil War era, singing a wide
variety of traditional songs in authentic, "living history" style.
The trio consider themselves a "musical time machine" through which audiences
enjoy the same lively show that entertained soldiers and civilians before radio
and television. Their shows emphasize spirit, sentimentality, exuberance and a
lot of audience participation.
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is celebrating its 10th
anniversary with an incredible line-up of special events.
The once-in-a-lifetime exhibit “Undying Words: Lincoln 1858-1865” is open now,
and “With Firmness in the Right: Lincoln and the Jews” opens in August. The 10th
of every month is Family Day, and a special “Pets in the White House” event is
coming in September.
For details on all this and more, visit
www.TenYearsLincoln.com.
[Chris Wills, Abraham Lincoln
Presidential Library and Museum]
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