Old World Wisconsin — Civil War Experience!

The Civil War living history event at Old World Wisconsin is much more than a typical Civil War re-enactment — it's become a Civil War experience! Involving some of the finest, most highly-authentic Civil War living historians in the Midwest, the historical experience you will find at Old World Wisconsin is unlike any other living history event you've attended.

When you visit Old World Wisconsin during its Civil War weekend event, you will be able to interact with living historians who will be in 1st-person, so you'll be able to see how people lived, hear how they talked, learn what they thought and felt as they transport you back in time over 145 years! You won't just see history happen, you'll be a part of it as it unfolds in front of you over the two-day event.

This website has been created to serve as the "go-to" source for information about the annual Civil War living history event held at Old World Wisconsin in Eagle, WI. It contains information for both the public and for the participants at this one-of-a-kind living history experience.

2008 Event: The 1864 Presidential Elections

The event scenario for the 2008 event will be a very active and interesting one. Each day will offer a main focus of activity with some added surprises.

The main focus for Saturday, August 30th, will be that of the 1864 Presidential elections. During this day, visitors will be treated to political rallies from both the Republican and Democratic parties in Wisconsin. They'll hear speeches and learn more about the policies of incumbant Abraham Lincoln (R-Ill) and challenger George B. McClellan (D-NY) so that they may better decide who the best candidate will be.

The visitors will also have the opportunity to vote using an open ballot system. They will learn more about the voting status of women and certain minorities. And, they may also find themselves talking with Copperheads or running into members of the Wide-Awakes. The final votes will be tallied by 3:00 p.m. and the winner will be announced.

At 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, visitors may also catch a glimpse of something rarely seen at a Civil War living history event: a real and historicaly-accurate 1860s wedding held at St. Peter's Church in the Crossroads Village. Wedding customs of the period will be observed.

On Sunday, August 31st, the focus of the day will be on the mourning customs and burial ceremony of the 1860s. A casket will be placed in the parlor of the Sanford House (Crossroads Village) on Saturday and visitors are invited to (respectfully) visit the deceased and his grieving family. The casket will be attended throughout the day on Saturday and through the morning on Sunday. On Sunday afternoon, a funeral procession will begin at the Sanford House, proceed through the village, and end at St. Peter's. There, the deceased will be laid to rest and, since he was an officer in the Union Army, a military salute will also be fired over his grave.