5 & 6 September 2020
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 27th annual Civil War Days Living History Event in Huntington Beach Central Park on the 155th 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. 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 5th & 6th, 2020
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!
2020 Updates
Full program below
COVID-19 UPDATE - We are monitoring the situation. We have yet to be be advised as to whether the event will be permissible or advisable to hold in September. Please bear with us as we navigate state and local guidelines. If we are not able to hold the event this year, there will be a supplemental online living history program. Updated June 2020.
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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
4 SEPT
Reenactor Setup
@ Noon
5 SEPT
Open @ 10
Battles @
1:30 & 4PM
6 SEPT
Open @ 10
Battles @
11AM & 2PM
Reenactor Updates
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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Presidents & Generals Panel - 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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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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First battle at 11AM
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President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address - 12 Noon
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Presidents & Generals Panel - 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 Weapons Demonstrations
Immediately following each battle
2019 Program
Front
Back
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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.
Historical Activities
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Meet President Lincoln, General Grant, and many many other historical figures from the war.
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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 each of the two heated battles each day, each battle is followed either by a weapons demonstration or a pass and review of both armies in front of President Lincoln.
A Civil War in Huntington Beach
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.
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