The JEB Stuart Birthplace Trust will host the 27th annual Civil War Encampment and Living History weekend Oct. 6 and 7, at Laurel Hill in Ararat.
Laurel Hill is located at 1091 Ararat Highway, Ararat. The gate opens at 9 a.m.; admission is $8 per person, children 12 and under free. Parking also is free.
Civil War battles will be reenacted on both Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday begins with a grand review, flag raising and special presentations.
The Birthplace Trust will sell gift items such as books, prints, mugs, T-shirts and more, as well as used Civil War books at discount prices, and ladies Civil War dresses (homemade), parasols, bonnets, and the like.
Music will be by Tom Roush during the day on Saturday; Mark Kinan and the Acoustic Shadows on Saturday, with day and evening performances. Tina and Herbert Conner will perform on Sunday.
Roush has performed and arranged music for about 40 years. His diverse ability covers most genres, although his first love is 19th century American music which he arranges in his own melodious style. He performs at various venues including living history events and reenactments, county fairs, and schools where he shares his vast historical knowledge.
Speakers include: V. Traywick, Jr. –Virginia’s decision in 1861 (Main Speaker, Saturday and Sunday); Wayne Jones – William Alexander Stuart; Martha Jo Price – Storytelling throughout the weekend; authentic Civil War sutlers will be on hand with food and merchandise.
Sutlers and concessionaires including Southern Traditions fried pies, Windy Hill Orchards local produced apple cider, old time blacksmith demonstrations, North State Haberdashery military goods, Mad Hatter children’s toys, Patrick County Historical Society, JEB Stuart Camp 1598 SCV, Stuart Wharton Camp, period tintype photographer, pottery vendors, Patrick County Historical Society, Possum Hollow clothing and quilts, Ararat Rescue Squad concessions, KJ Concessions and authentic Southern Barbeque by Two Brothers.
Other special events include, Ladies Fashion Show and Tea by Joan Williams, Saturday night dance, Candlelight Tour, and Sunday morning church service directed by Rev. Allen Farley, Civil War Chaplain, carriage rides and Stuart family members.
Mark Kinan from Pittsburgh, Penn., and the “Voices of The Confederacy,” will provide teaching tents, with various displays, antiques and handouts, designed to engage the public in conversations about the War Between the States. They will discuss soldier and civilian issues, prisoner of war camps. Infantry, artillery and civilians will be represented. Special attraction is banjo music (one of Jeb’s favorite instruments).
This event is sponsored by the Patrick County Tourism office.
All proceeds will be used to help preserve the birthplace.
For more information, call (276) 251-1833, email laurelhill@jebstuart.org or visit www.jebstuart.org.
