Civil War Days is an annual tradition at Naper Settlement
 Civil War Days is an annual tradition at Naper Settlement
Naperville, Illinois (May 1, 2012) — For more than 30 years, re-enactors from throughout the Midwest have participated in Civil War Days at Naper Settlement, Chicagoland’s outdoor history museum, located at 523 S. Webster St. in Naperville. It’s one of the earliest reenactments in the area and there’s a lot of excitement leading up to the event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20 with a battle reenactment at 2:30 p.m. each day.
Mark Johnson, a member of the Naperville Heritage Society board of directors, is the chair of this year’s Civil War Days committee. “My daughter has a great love for the Civil War period, which spilled over into our entire family becoming re-enactors. We have been to Civil War reenactments in Wisconsin, Chicagoland, and even in Gettysburg, but there is no place more special than Naper Settlement,” he said.
Larry Werline has portrayed General Ulysses S. Grant since 1997, and is part of a reenacting group, “Grant, Lee, Custer & Co. “What we try to do as historians is we bring this time period to life. These aren’t just dry dates in the history books. It really happened and it affected everyone in the country dramatically,” he said.
Attendees also will have an opportunity to see a reenactment of a Civil War-era wedding on Saturday afternoon. Norm and Gina Camp, who were married during Civil War Days at Naper Settlement 10 years ago, will be renewing their vows.
“It was a fairy tale wedding,” Gina Camp said. “We still can't believe it has been 10 years already, and we are looking forward to having the same excitement we had on that very special day.”
Advance tickets are $10 adult/senior 13+ and $5 for youth (4-12); at the door, tickets are $15 adult/senior 13+ and $10 youth (4-12). Tickets can be ordered on line through www.showclix.com/event/CivilWarDays or www.napersettlement.museum/civilwardays.
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History comes to life at Naper Settlement, Chicagoland’s outdoor history museum, located at 523 S. Webster St. in Naperville. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, Naper Settlement has 30 historic structures ranging from a rustic log cabin to an elegant Victorian mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information about hours and admission prices, visit www.napersettlement.museum or call (630) 420-6010.
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