State Capitol to Bring Civil War Home Front to Life

RALEIGH - The State Capitol will host a living history event to demonstrate what life was like for citizens of Raleigh living on the Civil War home front in the summer of 1862. The free event will take place Saturday, June 9, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Visitors can visit a re-created Confederate post office, learn about Raleigh's several hospitals from a re-enactor playing the part of a surgeon, or attend a soldiers' benefit concert in the historic House Chamber performed by the Huckleberry Brothers string band. Costumed interpreters will demonstrate and help patrons try their hand at many of the skills women carried out to aid the war effort, including knitting, sewing, spinning, carding wool, bandage rolling and more.

The 6th North Carolina State Troops reenactment group will operate a Confederate recruitment station on the grounds while demonstrating drilling and parade instruction typical of a soldier's earliest lessons upon joining the service.

This event is part of the North Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial, a commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in North Carolina. The event is also part of the Department of Cultural Resources' 2nd Saturdays summer programming series which showcase North Carolina's culture, heritage, and arts. For a complete schedule of more than 100 2nd Saturdays programs across North Carolina, go to www.ncculture.com or call 919-807-7385

The State Capitol's mission is to preserve and interpret the history, architecture and functions of the 1840 building and Union Square. The Capitol is bounded by Edenton, Salisbury, Morgan and Wilmington Streets. For more information, visit www.nchistoricsites.org/capitol or call (919) 733-4994.