Wayne County will join communities across the nation in commemorating the 150th anniversary of one of the countrys most turbulent times when the Wayne County Historical Society hosts a Civil War encampment May 7 and 8.
While only two minor battles were actually fought on Ohio soil, the Buckeye State played a pivotal role in the War Between the States both politically and militarily.
Ohio raised the third largest number of soldiers of any state in the Union, produced three of the Unions key generals – Ulysses Grant, William Sherman and Philip Sheridan – and five Civil War era veterans who would go on to be President – Ulysses Grant, James Garfield, William McKinley, Rutherford Hayes and Benjamin Harrison.
The society will celebrate Ohios contribution to the War Between the States by recreating this pivotal point in the nations history.
According to event organizer Gerald Payn, reenactor groups representing the 4th and 41st Ohio Volunteer Infantry will set up camp on the lawn of the historic Beall House on the societys campus to recreate the life of a typical Civil War soldier.
Joining the members of the 4th and 41st OVI will be longtime reenactor and Wayne County Public Library director Jimmie Epling, who will welcome questions from the public, and Civil War surgeon Major Virgil Kline and his wife, Ann, who will present a display of medical equipment used by Civil War era doctors.
Even President Lincoln himself, as portrayed by Payn, will make an appearance to answer questions about his life, his presidency and the war.
The buildings throughout the societys extensive campus will also be filled with Civil War era displays.
Sgt. Harry McClarran, of the 16th OVI, as portrayed by his great-grandson, local historian Harry McClarran, will greet visitors to the societys main museum building.
Also making its debut on the porch of the Kister Building will be a replica of a Civil War cannon barrel built and donated to the society by Andy, Mark and Debbie Morrison.
Once inside the building, visitors will be able to view a display developed by the societys military committee containing some of the societys most important Civil War artifacts, including a 16th OVI guidon, period newspapers and tintypes, and a collection of Lincoln memorabilia.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet Civil War author and artillery expect Harold George, and interact with first lady Mary Todd Lincoln, as portrayed by Marilyn Payn, who will be on hand demonstrating period needlework techniques.
In the societys one-room schoolhouse, visitors will also have the chance to view a traveling exhibit from the American Civil War Museum of Ohio, located in Tiffin, entitled Ohios Role in the Civil War.
The traveling exhibit educates visitors on Ohios vital role in the Civil War, including the Johnsons Island and Camp Chase prisoner of war camps, the first Medal of Honor winners, the Battle of Buffington Island, and the sacrifice made by tens of thousands of Ohioans to hold the Union together, Payn said.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to tour the Beall/Stibbs House, whose early occupants fought in the war.
Payn noted that visitors will be able to visit the societys current exhibit, In My Ladys Chamber, which provides a behind the scenes look at Wayne County womens fashion, jewelry and boudoir accessories from the 1850s through the 1950s.
The Wayne County Historical Societys commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War will take place May 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and May 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, visit the historical societys website at http://www.waynehistoricalohio.org.
