HUNTINGTON BEACH
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
2 & 3 September 2023
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 2nd & 3rd, 2023
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!
Schedule updated below.
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.
1 SEPT
Reenactor Setup
@ Noon
2 SEPT
Open @ 10
Battles @
1:30 & 4PM
3 SEPT
Open @ 10
Battles @
11AM & 2PM
Reenactor Updates
2022 Program & Map
Front
Back
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
UPDATED 22 August
New programs on Civil War logistics, Reconstruction, and Native American service, politics, and conflicts in the Civil War.
Locations
✶In Sutler Circle ⚔ On Battlefield
««« Grant’s HQ + Quartermaster Depot
Saturday
10AM - EVENT OPENS
11AM BATTLEFIELD CONCERT ⚔
FT. THE RICHMOND HOWITZERS BAND
11:30AM - NATIVES AMERICANS ✶
NATIVE VOICES IN THE WAR
NOON - LEE & GRANT «««
A CONVERSATION WITH THE GENERALS
12:30PM – CIVIL WAR ENGINEERS «««
1PM – THE GRANTS «««
ULYSSES & JULIA GRANT AT CITY POINT
1:30 PM - FIRST BATTLE ⚔
& HISTORICAL WEAPONS DEMONSTRATION
TO FOLLOW ON BATTLEFIELD.
2PM - PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S
GETTYSBURG ADDRESS ✶
2:30PM– ARMY HEADQUARTERS «««
GRANT’S PLAN TO END THE WAR
3PM – RECONSTRUCTION ✶
DEBATING THE PLAN FOR THE SOUTH
3:30PM– CIVIL WAR LOGISITCS
4 PM - SECOND BATTLE ⚔
4:45PM –LINCOLN’S AMENDMENT ✶
A PROPOSED TOTAL ABOLITION OF SLAVERY
5:30PM - TWILIGHT CONCERT
FT. THE ARMORY BAND ✶
SUNDAY
9AM - CHURCH SERVICES ⚔
930AM - BATTLEFIELD CONCERT ⚔
FT. THE RICHMOND HOWITZERS BAND
10AM - NATIVES AMERICANS ✶
NATIVE VOICES IN THE WAR
10:30PM –– CIVIL WAR LOGISITCS
11 AM - FIRST BATTLE ⚔
& HISTORICAL WEAPONS DEMONSTRATION
TO FOLLOW ON BATTLEFIELD.
11:45 PM – ARMY HEADQUARTERS «««
GRANT’S PLAN TO END THE WAR
NOON –LINCOLN’S AMENDMENT ✶
A PROPOSED TOTAL ABOLITION OF SLAVERY
12:30PM – LEE & GRANT ✶
A CONVERSATION WITH THE GENERALS
1PM – CIVIL WAR ENGINEERS ⚔
1:30PM – THE GRANTS ✶
ULYSSES & JULIA GRANT AT CITY POINT
2 PM - SECOND BATTLE ⚔
245PM - PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S GETTYSBURG ADDRESS ✶
President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
Delivered honestly.
Historical Activities
-
Reenactor Swap Meet - 9AM Saturday (Sutler Circle Picnic Tables)
-
Reenactor Parking Lot -
NW Corner of Ellis & Goldenwest
-
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 2022
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.
-
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.
-
Visit "Reedsburg", the historic town of civilian folk to learn about daily life in the 19th century
-
Stop by the Historical Society tent for refreshments and visit the many sutlers to find a historic souvenir, book, or clothing.
-
Visit each army's camp to see the soldiers prepare for battle and rest up for the next engagement.
-
Watch recreation of the military tactics and manoeuvres of the 19th century.
