HUNTINGTON BEACH
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
4 & 5 September 2021
CIVIL WAR DAYS - Living History in Huntington Central Park
Tintype taken by Bailey-Denton Photography
Tintype taken by Bailey-Denton Photography
Southern California's Largest Living History Event
The Huntington Beach Historical Society is proud to host the 28th annual Civil War Days Living History Event in Huntington Beach Central Park during the 160th anniversary of America's Civil War. Living history events like Civil War Days allow people to experience vivid recreations of life in our past in ways that would not otherwise be possible, and learn about some of the most important moments in our collective history. This event is facilitated by hundreds of dedicated volunteers portraying people from all walks of life, and as always, our events are free to the public. Come out to see this grand display this Labor Day Weekend!
September 4th & 5th, 2021
HB Central Park (Behind the Library)
On Gothard between Slater and Talbert
Camps open to the Public on Saturday and Sunday
Battle Times: Sat: 1:30 and 4 PM / Sun: 11 and 2 PM
Always Free to the Public!
2021 Covid Update
We are excited to announce that we are again planning to host Civil War Days in Huntington Beach Central Park this September 4th and 5th, 2021 now that event restrictions have been lifted in California. As we come back to our first historical event in more than a year please bear with us as we continue to plan for a safe, educational, and fun event for everyone.
To address public health concerns we will be practicing social distancing and trying to limit contact between participants and the public along with various measures to keep our facilities clean . Please remember that our event preparations are subject to change due to state or local health guidelines, but we are looking forward to another successful event this year. Thank you all for your patience and support.
3 SEPT
Reenactor Setup
@ Noon
4 SEPT
Open @ 10
Battles @
1:30 & 4PM
5 SEPT
Open @ 10
Battles @
11AM & 2PM
Reenactor Updates
2019 Program
A Civil War in Huntington Beach?
A Century Old Tradition of Education & Patriotism
Civil War Days was founded in 1993 by Maureen Rivers and Carl Clink in Bartlett Park behind the Newland House Museum in Huntington Beach. This first event hosted no more than thirty reenactors with a single cannon. Today Civil War Days has expanded to host historical reenactors from all over the United States, attracting tens of thousands of spectators each year.
The Huntington Beach Historical Society welcomes you to this glorious event that is always free to the public. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries Huntington Beach hosted a number of annual Western region encampments of the Grand Army of the Republic, the fraternal organization of the Union veterans of the Civil War. At these encampments members met to reminisce about their service, promote veterans advocacy, and to teach people about the War, and the history of our country. Now we are proud continue Huntington Beach's tradition by promoting historical education and understanding in our community through Civil War Days.
Front
Back
2019 Program
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
New programs on California's role in the Civil War, Latin American Service in the Civil War, and Native American service, politics, and conflicts in the Civil War.
Saturday
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Camp opens to the public at 10AM
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Battlefield Concert - 11:30 - ft. The Richmond Howitzers Band
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Grant & His Generals - Noon
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First battle at 1:30 PM
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Living History Weapons Demonstration to follow
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Native Americans & the Civil War - 2:30PM
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President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address - 3PM
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The Grants - Ulysses & Julia at City Point - 3:30PM
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Second Battle at 4PM
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President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address - 4:45PM
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Twilight Concert featuring The Armory Band at 5:30PM
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Sunday
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Church Service at 9AM
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Battlefield Concert 10 AM - ft. The Richmond Howitzers Band
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Native Americans & the Civil War - 10:30 AM
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First battle at 11AM
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President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address - 12 Noon
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Grant & His Generals - 12:30PM
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The Grants - Ulysses & Julia at City Point - 1PM
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Second Battle at 2PM
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President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address - 3PM
President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
Delivered honestly,
around 15 min after each battle
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Reenactor Swap Meet - 9AM Saturday (Sutler Circle Picnic Tables)
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Reenactor Parking Lot -
NW Corner of Ellis & Goldenwest
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Camp Reservations
Units should coordinate with their chain of command, individuals & civilians email HBHistory@aol.com. - Reenactor Registration Online
Please register only if you are currently a reenactor. To join please see recruitment information below.
Scan the below release and email to HBCivilWarDays@gmail.com
&
Send $5 via Paypal.com to
Pre-Registered Reenactors will receivve two extra raffle tickets for the Reenactor Raffle on Sunday.
Pick up your registration card and tickets at the Registration Booth in the Sutler Area.
- Reenactor Registration By Mail
Mail the below release with the $5 fee to:
Rivers/HBHS
19651 Seawind Cir.
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Make checks payable to "HBHS"
Reenactors may also register the day of the event at the Registration Booth.
Reenactor
Release Form
Reenactor
Parking Pass 2021
Civil War Days hosts reenactors from all over the United States, each living historians with their own impressions of people whom lived 160 years ago. The vast majority of reenactors belong to individual units, portraying a particular infantry or cavalry company, or artillery battery. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Many of these units recruit members from the Southern California area - if you are interested in joining a reenacting unit please contact the email below.
For all inquiries please contact HBHistory@aol.com - your request will be forwarded through the appropriate channels. Please include your name, phone number, city, and your preference for the Union, the Confederacy, or something civilian.
Historical Activities
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Meet President Lincoln, General Grant, and many many other historical figures from the war and participate in discussions on important topics of the era from slavery and and the prosecution of the war to relations with Native Americans and countries like Britain and France.
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Visit "Reedsburg", the historic town of civilian folk to learn about daily life in the 19th century
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Stop by the Historical Society tent for refreshments and visit the many sutlers to find a historic souvenir, book, or clothing.
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Visit each army's camp to see the soldiers prepare for battle and rest up for the next engagement.
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Watch recreation of the military tactics and manoeuvres of the 19th century.
