Civil War reenactment in Naperville brings the past to life

NAPERVILLE, Ill., May 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Civil War Days bring history to life during a two-day reenactment from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19 at Naper Settlement in downtown Naperville, Ill. More than 300 reenactors set up camp, interpreting the life and times of soldiers and civilians during the 1860s. A battle occurs each day at 2:30 p.m., in addition to infantry and artillery drills, first-person interpretations, period music, recruitment rallies and living history demonstrations. Meet famous people of the past including President and Mrs. Lincoln and Generals Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. Advance tickets are $10 adults, $5 children 4-12. At the door, tickets are $15 adults, $10 children 4-12. Members are free. For information or to purchase your tickets, visit www.napersettlement.com or call (630) 420-6010.

Larry Werline, who portrays Gen. Grant, has been involved in reenacting since 1987. In honor of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, he and Paul Wood, who portrays General Lee, will discuss the significant battles fought in 1863 including Chancellorsville, Chickamauga, Gettysburg and Vicksburg.

"We enjoy our yearly visits to Naper Settlement because we are able to directly interact with the public at our camp," Werline said.

Annette M. Baldwin of Chicago, who has been researching, scripting and performing first-person historical portrayals since 1986, will explore a little-known aspect of the war with her portrayal of Civil War spy Elizabeth Van Lew. Baldwin conducted all her research in Van Lew's hometown of Richmond, Va.

"Elizabeth Van Lew was one of the most daring and successful spies of the American Civil War. She ran an extensive intelligence operation in the Confederate capital of Richmond," Baldwin said. "General Grant would later write to her that she had sent him the most valuable information during the war."

Baldwin, who has performed in 18 states and nearly 200 communities, will share a clandestine method of getting messages through enemy lines called spy writing.

Civil War Days is an opportunity for visitors to expand their knowledge of American history in an engaging way.

"I think that first-person living history is important because it brings to life what could be a dull recounting of historical events or characters," Werline said. "I am so glad that Naper Settlement has embraced this form of telling history."

SOURCE Naper Settlement