The Waxahachie Chautauqua Preservation Society
Presents
2012 Annual Assembly
The Civil War 1861-1865
The Ellis County Perspective
Honoring the Sesquicentennial of the War Between the States
September 21-22, 2012
Getzendaner Park, Waxahachie, Texas
Friday September 21st - Free AdmissionA Unique Living History Educational Opportunity for Students of all ages.
From 10:00 am - 2:00 pm students, parents and chaperones are invited to tour the Military Encampment. From 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm the encampment will be open to the general public. Immerse yourself in the realities of life in the 1860’s. There will be many military tents in the encampment and a large contingent of military re-enactors and historic interpreters in period dress that represent soldiers, physicians, merchants, and north Texas citizens who were a big part of the Texas and local Ellis County effort during the War Between the States.
Throughout the Encampment and surrounding the Chautauqua Auditorium will be educational demonstrations and exhibits running continuously throughout the day, including:
· Texas battle flags – How they were made and used
· Confederate money, bonds and warrants used to finance the war and sustain commerce
· Artillery cannons used in battles
· Rifles and ammunition production
· Blacksmithing
· Camp fire black pot cooking
· Sewing and spinning
· Quilt-making
· Civil War medical practices
· 19th Century toys
· Hill College “Hood’s Texas Brigade Brass Band” playing authentic songs of the era
· Cotton raising and ginning and its role in the war
· Letter and Correspondence Readings
· 19th Century Women’s Fashions
· Blacks in the Confederacy
· Mourning – What happened when a loved one was killed during the war
Exhibition Tent: An Exhibition Tent will be erected in the park adjacent to the Chautauqua Auditorium to accommodate the “traveling exhibits” of area Civil War museums. Visiting museums and participating local area historical organizations will include the Pearce Civil War Museum, Corsicana; the Texas Heritage Museum, Hillsboro; the Texas Civil War Museum, Ft. Worth and the Ellis County Museum. Numerous private collections of Civil War memorabilia will be on exhibit as well. Many of the exhibitors will offer Civil War books and related historical items for purchase.
Picnic Areas: Ample park areas will be set aside for group/family picnicking. You may seek out a picnic table or bring a blanket and picnic on the beautiful tree shaded Getzendaner Park grounds as you enjoy your historical immersion in the 1860’s. Cold water will be available. Plan to return Saturday morning for the “Battle of Waxahachie Creek”!
Saturday September 22nd Morning Program - Free Admission
9:30 am - Continuation of the educational exhibits and demonstrations.
10:00 am and 10:30 am - Artillery firing demonstration
11 am - Watch a historically accurate Civil War Battlefield Engagement.
This skirmish entitled “The Battle at Waxahachie Creek” is fictional but will include soldiers from the North and South who will fight along the banks of Waxahachie Creek. This event will represent a battle similar to the ones fought by soldiers in the Confederate Army under Colonel W.H. Parson. Parson’s regiment, the 12th Texas Cavalry included three companies from Ellis County and the 19th Texas Cavalry (also in Parson’s brigade) had two companies from Ellis County. Experience firsthand the military realities of close quarter combat including the roar of canons, the rapid fire of rifles, and the flash of charging bayonets.
The “Frontier Brigade Brass Band” will offer rousing music and finish off the morning’s activities with a short parade from the battlefield back to the Chautauqua Auditorium playing military music of the Civil War era.
The Waxahachie High School Band Boosters Club will have food and drink available all day Saturday at the Chautauqua Concession Stand.
Saturday Afternoon Program – Admission tickets required for Adults, Free to Students
The historically significant Waxahachie Chautauqua Auditorium celebrating its 110th year will again host the Annual Chautauqua Assembly. This year’s Lecture Series program includes distinguished authors, historians, researchers and educators. These experts will spotlight the significant role of the many heroes and leaders from Texas and Ellis County and their contributions to the defense of the Trans Mississippi Department of the Confederacy.
The program will include:
· “Ringing of the Bell” to announce the opening of the 2012 Chautauqua Assembly
· Opening Ceremonies welcoming Assembly attendees
· Presentation of the U.S. flag and pledge of allegiance
· Celebration of the continuing Chautauqua Movement
· 1861 Waxahachie Church Service with Prayer
· Events Leading to the War Between the States – Tommy Stringer, Historian
· Texans in Service – Danny Sessums, Author
· Parson’s Texas Cavalry Brigade – Anne Baily, Author
· Women In the War – Vicki Betts, Author/Researcher
· Looking Back and Looking Yonder, An African American Perspective – Robert Haynes, Museum Curator/Historian
· Speaker Panel Discussion and Audience Q & A Session will be held after the conclusion of the afternoon program
Saturday Evening Concert
7:00pm – 9:00pm Musical performance by the “Frontier Brigade Brass Band” featuring music played by military bands from both the North and the South during the War Between the States.
Chautauqua Lecture Series tickets can be purchased on line atWaxahachieChautauqua.org Tickets will also be available for purchase at the Chautauqua Auditorium on Saturday September 22nd.
Adults All Lectures $10.00
Adults Single Lecture $5.00
Free to All Students
Some of us are going, planning on being Union Soldiers for this event. Some good speakers there!
Kevin Dally