4 & 5 September 2021
CIVIL WAR DAYS - Living History in Huntington Central Park
Southern California's Largest Civil War Reenactment
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, and always remains 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!
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Reenactor Swap Meet - Saturday at 9AM
Reenactors & Public are welcome to attend.
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Saturday Night Dinner - 5PM to 7PM - $12 donation
3 SEPT
Reenactor Setup
@ Noon
4 SEPT
Open @ 10
Battles @
1:30 & 4PM
5 SEPT
Open @ 10
Battles @
11AM & 2PM
Reenactor Updates
2019 Program
Front
Back
PROGRAM
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
Historical Activities
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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. - Saturday Night Dinner -
Open to Reenactors & Public
Pulled Pork, Macaroni, Salad, etc. $12
- Reenactor Registration By Mail
Please register only if you are currently a reenactor. To join please see recruitment information below.
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.
Mail the below release with the $5 fee to:
Rivers/HBHS
19651 Seawind Cir.
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Make cheques payable to "HBHS"
Reenactors may also register the day of the event at the Registration Booth.
Reenactor
Release Form
Reenactor
Parking Pass
Civil War Days hosts reenactors from all over the United States, each living historians with their own impressions of people whom lived 155 years ago. The vast majority of reenactors belong to individual units, portraying a particular infantry or cavalry company, or artillery battery.
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 - your request will be forwarded through the appropriate channels. Please include your name, phone number, city, and your preference for the Union or the Confederacy.
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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
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Visit each army's camp to see the soldiers prepare for battle and rest up for the next fight.
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Watch recreation of the military tactics and manouvres of the 19th century.
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 veterans of the War Between the States. 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.
