California Civil War Events

What does California have to do with the nation's Civil War? Quite a bit actually.

There's nothing civil about war, but when you watch a Civil War tribute event, civility shines through as you meet the participants and learn about their passions for honoring those who died in one America's most famous battles.

Why do Californians re-enact the Civil War in annual events around the state? There was never actually a battle on our grounds so what gives? The Civil War is part of the heart & soul of many who reside in California, a state that played a significant role in the Civil War. Though we had just become a state, our formation was one of the important playing cards in the battle that eventually united U.S. citizens under one a nation. For a fascinating journey into the world of the Civil War, see the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum in Banning.

CIVIL WAR EVENTS

HUNTINGTON BEACH: The Revolution February 15-16, 2020, 10 a.m.
Central Park
7111 Talbert Avenue (behind Central Library)
Huntington Beach, CA
hbhistory.org/revolution

YERMO: Calico Ghost Town Civil War Reenactment February 15-16, 2020, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Calico Ghost in partnership with the American Civil War Society, invites you to witness the Civil War come alive  with the sounds of bugles, and the thunder of cannon and musket fire. 

SIMI VALLEY: Civil War Days March 7-8, 2020
Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Strathearn Park
Simi Valley, CA
$7, $3 age 5 to 12 years, Free age 4 and under, simihistory.com
President Lincoln takes a break from his Washington duties to give a speech on the steps of our Strathearn House, where costumed civilians, as well as soldiers from the north and south stand ready in their camps, eager to tell their stories to the passing visitor. Sergeants drill groups of local boys and girls curious to experience military life. Skirmishes, as well as artillery, infantry and cavalry demonstrations take place throughout the weekend.

FELTON: Roaring Camp Civil War Battles and Encampment May 23-25, 2020 | May 24, 2020 is Night of the Encampment
Roaring Camp Railroads
5355 Graham Hill Road
Felton, CA
(831) 335-4484
roaringcamp.com
Memorial Day weekend event features living history demonstrations, drill and several battles. On Memorial Day, a special flag raising ceremony is usually held along with one battle. Travel back in time to the Civil War where encampments of Union and Confederate soldiers transport visitors to the sights and sounds of cavalry charges, musket fire and artillery shells in one of the longest-running historic reenactments in the West. Ride an 1880s "iron horse" through an ancient redwood forest and witness skirmishes as the steam train ascends Bear Mountain. Glimpse a soldier's daily life as he cooks meals over a campfire, cleans his musket and prepares for the day's campaign. Then chow down on a Chuck Wagon Barbecue and take in the camp.

DUNCANS MILLS: Civil War Days July 25-26, 2020
civilwardays.net
$12 adult admission, $5 parking. Time: 9a-5p Saturday; 9a-3p Sunday.
Freezeout Rd.
Duncans Mills, CA
Northern California's largest civil war reenactment and one of the largest reenactments west of the Mississippi! All proceeds support the artillery horses of the California Historical Artillery Society.

Reenactors of the American Civil War (racw.org)

REDDING: Redding Living History Days March 27-29, 2020
Redding, CA

RED BLUFF: Dog Island Civil War Days April 24-26, 2020
Red Bluff, CA

MONTAGUE: Montague Civil War Days May 15-17, 2020
Montague, CA

WILLOWS: Memorial Day Salute May 31, 2020
Willows, CA

GRAEAGLE: Graeagle Civil War Days July 4-5, 2020
Graeagle, CA

BELLA VISTA: Bella Vista Living History Days October 16-17, 2020
Bella Vista, CA

FORT TEJON: Frontier Army Days March 7, 2020
Fort Tejon State Park
parks.ca.gov/?page_id=585
76 miles northwest of Los Angeles along the "Grapevine" section of the I-5 freeway, via the Fort Tejon exit (Exit 210 heading north or south).
Experience frontier California life of the 1850s and 1860s Soldiers and a horse Talk with soldiers who grumble about fatigue details. Visit the blacksmith at his forge, the carpenter in his shop, or the soldiers in the barracks. Servants, cooks, officers, laundresses, and laborers are eager to share their stories with you. Surround yourself with the sounds, sights and colors of the past. Smell and hear the bubbling stew simmering over an open hearth fire place. Hear the musketoons fire, the blast of the cannon, and see clothing of the era. You can witness women mending clothes, soldiers polishing brass, people stomping around in the adobe brick pit, cooks churning butter or children playing a game of graces. Come take a step back in time and join with the men, women and children of Fort Tejon. Relive a day out of the past. Living History demonstrations take place on the first Saturday of each month year around.    

WILMINGTON: Drum Barracks

Park Day, Saturday, April 4, 2020 Banning Museum, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Drum Barracks Civil War Museum and Banning Museum will join together to participate in the American Battlefield Trust's Park Day, a day for giving service at Civil War sites around the country. Join us at 10:00 am at Banning Museum, 401 East "M" Street, Wilmington, CA 90744 to clean wagons and carriages in the stagecoach barn and help get the site ready for spring and summer visitors. The residence of Brigadier General Phineas Banning was built in 1864 and was a frequent gathering place for Union Soldiers stationed at Drum Barracks.

WILMINGTON: Drum Barracks Civil War Events 2020
drumbarracks.org

Drum Barracks Civil War Technology Fair, Saturday, June 27, 2020 11:00 am - 4:00 pm FREE
You will be amazed at the science and technology of the 19th century! Wet-plate photography, the telegraph, iron clad ships and submarines, these are just some of the innovations you can explore at the Drum Barracks Civil War Technology Fair. Talk to a blacksmith, learn how a cook prepared food for soldiers, and cover your ears as we fire the cannon. You can also enjoy lectures, self-guided tours of the museum, and a gigantic book sale.

Remembrance Day, Saturday, November 14, 2020 2:00 pm FREE
Join us as we honor the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and remember the sacrifice of Drum Barracks' fallen soldiers.

Civil War Christmas, Saturday, December 5 & 6 2020 11:00 am - 4:00 pm FREE
Drum Barracks will kick off the holiday season with five hours of fun and entertainment. Enjoy self-guided tours of the museum, a Civil War brass band, Victorian parlor singers, children's crafts, special exhibitions and displays and horse-drawn trolley rides.

Past Events

OAK GLEN: Rileys Farm Civil War ongoing
Open to the public, takes place when there are 60 people minimum, geared toward 8th grade curriculum but great learning experience for all ages.
12261 S. Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, California 92399
909-797-7534
rileysfarm.com

GREENWOOD: Summit Hill Tactical Auburn March 3-5, 2017
March 10-12 are optional rain days
1405 Sliger Mine Road
ncwa1863.org
Reenactors, military and civilians are welcome and encouraged to participate in this living history opportunity. Scenarios will develop as terrain and imagination dictate. This is the chance to use your mind and skills. Event Coordinator: Skott Borello, Captain 9th Virginia Cav. (530) 886-8822

OAKDALE March 11, 2017
Posted on acwa.org/events and knightsferry.com
Knights Ferry Recreation Area
If you have a question about the Recreation Area, please call 209-881-3517
Knight's Ferry is a park in the foothills of the Sierras 12 miles east of Oakdale on Highway 108 and Stanislaus river near the Tuolomne/ Stanislaus County border.  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the park which features a 330' covered bridge built in 1863, many historic civil war era buildings and home to a Native American battle in 1829.

VISALIA: Civil War, A Living History March 4-5, 2017
Mooney Grove Park
acwa.org/events
Battle times: 1 & 3:30 p.m. Saturday
12 Noon Sunday
26th Annual Civil War, A Living History

SAN FRANCISCO'S ALCATRAZ: March 25, 2017
Living History Day
friendsofcivilwaralcatraz.org

MOORPARK: The Blue & Gray Civil War Reenactment April 1-2, 2017
Hitch Ranch
110 W. High Street
Moorpark, CA
facebook.com/CivilWarReenactment/ | moorparkrotary.com
The Blue & The Gray  March 31, 2017 is by-invitation-only school educational visitation day.
Battles on Saturday and Sunday.

MARIPOSA: Las Mariposas Civil War Days April 21-22, 2018
Yaqui Gulch Road
Mariposa, CA
mariposacivilwardays.com
$7 admission approx.
 A true revival of this period, the Las Mariposas Civil War Days are held on the actual site of this grant on over 60 acres of Longs' Mariposa Ranch, nestled in the beautiful Sierra Foothills of Northern California. The most Authentic Civil War reenactment west of the Rockies on Longs' Mariposa Ranch, includes tactical foot and horse skirmishes and cannon fire. Saturday and Sunday are both jammed full of events including two battles each day, AND a twilight battle on Saturday night. Throughout both days there will be a multitude of other events happening at the camps which the public are invited to attend and observe. Experience first hand a medical station, a blacksmith, a civilian town, cooking and sewing, and other aspects of life during this historical period. Don't miss hearing Abraham Lincoln recite the Gettysburg Address or Jefferson Davis as he dispels the rumors from the Federal Camp. Listen to Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Clara Barton describe their lives and what it was like to be a slave. A variety of period sutlers and food vendors will be on site.

NAPA: May 5-7, 2017 Tentative
ncwa1863.org

PERRIS: Orange Empire Railroad Museum May 20-21, 2017
OERM, oerm.org
Sponsored Perris CA About The American Civil War Society

LEBEC: Civil War Event Fort Tejon State Historic June 3-4, 2017
Fort Tejon exit off I-5
Lebec, CA
forttejon.org | parks.ca.gov/FortTejonSHP
Park Schedule  
Infantry - Cavalry - Artillery Watch skirmishes and tactics used in the eastern United States during the American Civil War portrayed by authentically uniformed and equipped troops of the Union and Confederate Armies. Living History presentations include Manual of Arms, Artillery and Field Hospital demonstrations. Sunday battles are at 10:30 a.m., 12 Noon, and 1:30 p.m. Guided tours of the camps are offered between the battles.
FRONTIER ARMY DAYS: Experience the life of the soldiers and civilians in 1856. Frontier Army Days Demonstrations may include 1850s Army Barracks Life Blacksmith Shop Artillery Drill Open Hearth Cooking Army Horsemanship Military Drill Carpentry Shop Laundry / Candle Making Weapons Demonstrations Officer's Quarters
10 a.m.-3 p.m. $5, $3 child
No Battles on these events:
Saturday Feb. 4, 2017 2nd Cal. Vol in 1864
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Tuesday, July 4, 2017 1856 Style 4th
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Saturday, December 2, 2017
FTHA SPECIAL EVENTS
Saturday, June 17, 2017 Victoria Tea Party- Reservation Required
Saturday, October 21, 2017 - Peter Le Beck Anniversary Tour and Ghost Candlelight Tour

MIDDLETON: June 24-25, 2017, 10 a.m.
20650 S State Highway 29
Middleton, CA
2017 contacts: col.chamberlain @rocketmail.com |
infantrydan @comcast.net
Saturday Battles 1 & 4 p.m.
Sunday Battles 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Alfalfa Feed and water for horses will be provide, if your horses have special diets you will need to provide your own feed.  

ANGEL ISLAND:  Angels Island Civil War Commemoration June 10-11, 2017
National Civil War Association, a Northern California nonprofit
ncwa1863.org
Commemorating the American Civil War on the site of Camp Reynolds, a real Civil War era army camp. 2 skirmishes on Saturday, 1 on Sunday. Reenactors bunk overnight in historic buildings on site, with beautiful view of San Francisco Bay. Infantry and artillery demonstrations, period baking, map making demos, special event for reenactors on Saturday evening.

GRAEAGLE: Reenactors of the American Civil War July 1-2, 2017
Mohawk Valley
racw.org

SAN PEDRO: Old Fort MacArthur Days July 8-9, 2017
10 am to 4 pm at Old Fort MacArthur in San Pedro. $15 admission, ftmac.org

SAN FRANCISCO'S FORT POINT Civil War Days August 19-20, 2017
 20thmainecompanyg.com
Battles Saturday 1 & 4 p.m. | Sunday 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Infantry drills occur almost every hour on the hour. Artillery discussions occur every hour on the half hour. There are also concurrent demonstrations throughout the day - medical demos, musician--fife / drum and brass band-- and civilians, camp laundress, sewing, and more. Join Civil War reenactors in the Sesquicentennial commemoration of the Civil War 2011-2015, as they bring Fort Point to life with music, marching, artillery drill, musician demonstrations, and the colorful uniforms of Civil War soldiers and civilians. Talks and demonstrations are held throughout the day. Take a tour by a Park Volunteer to learn about California's role in the Civil War. Call (415) 556-1693 or go to www.20thmaine.net for more information. FREE admission.
Location: Long Avenue and Marine Drive, Building 999, Presidio of San Francisco, CA. parkconservancy.org

HUNTINGTON BEACH: Sat. and Sun., September 2-3, 2017
  Huntington Beach Reenactment
10 to 5 Saturday and 10 to 3 Sunday at Central Park on Gothard between Slater and Talbert Huntington Beach. Battle Times: Sat: 1:30 and 4 PM / Sun: 11 and 2 PM. Free admission.

TRES PINOS: Tres Pinos Civil War Days September 8-10, 2017
ncwa1863.org
San Benito County Historical Park
Tres Pinos, California
Combined Eastern and Pacific Theater event in historic site with buildings dating back to 1850s. Friday the 9th is a School Day. Two skirmishes each on Saturday and Sunday. Military camps and civilian town open for public. Classic sodas available in restored saloon. Rounders  19th Century bat and ball game  on Sunday. Period speeches and presentations at historic school house. Sutler (Civil War era vendor). Saturday evening dance held in restored 1860s dance hall.

ANDERSON: Fall Civil War Reenactment at Hawes Farms October 5-8, 2017
Ranch Reenactors of America Civil War
 racw.org
 Battles start at 11am and 2pm today. Come on down and enjoy the battle, corn maze, attractions, food and more! Two days are devoted to school education and interaction -- school days. HistoricHawesFarms.com

FRESNO: Fresno Annual Civil War Revisited October 21-22, 2017
Kearney Park
Fresno, CA
valleyhistory.org
Living history at historic Kearney Park in Fresno, CA. The Fresno Historical Society presents the largest living history reenactment of the Civil War in the Western United States at Kearney Park, Fresno, California. American Civil War Association (ACWA) is the Historical Society's partner

CORONA: Tom's Farm A Civil War Alliance Possible dates: October 14-15, 2017 - check website
23900 Temescal Canyon Road
Corona, CA 92883
tomsfarms.com

RANCHO DOMINGUEZ: Sat. and Sun., October Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum
10 am to 5 pm Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum, 18127 Alameda St., Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220. The annual 1846 "Battle of the Old Woman's Gun" Reenactment.

WILMINGTON:
Drum Barracks
Living History
Wilmington, CA
Drum Barracks
ACWS Supported

Civil War reenactors (actors who pretend they are Civil War participants) participate in approx. a dozen Civil War reenactments each year. The events held throughout California often feature vendors selling Civil War era replica products such as books, clothing, buttons, dolls and flags. The food vendors stick with more modern eats such as soda in cans, bottled water, hot dogs and hamburgers, but sometimes include ears of corn cooked on the grill. Then there's the main event–battles. The guns fired don't actually have bullets and the cannons only blast smoke and noise (minus projectiles that would have been used in a real battlefield,) but the special effects are pretty convincing as soldiers drop to the ground as if they'd been struck. Children watching these mock battles do reality checks with their parents and are assured that no one is hurt.

CHINO: Prado Regional Park April 2-3, 2016
Prado Regional Park
16700 South Euclid Avenue
Chino, CA
(909) 590-5797
$10 day, Weekend Pass $15, $10 parking
cityofchino.org
Battle Schedule Show Battle tentative
Saturday  1 & 5 p.m.
Sunday  11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Scout Battle - Saturday  3 p.m.
Sunday 2 at 2 p.m.
The Southern California Civil War Association and with support from the City of Chino, San Bernardino County Regional Parks, surrounding communities and the City of Chino's Boy Scout Troop 201 invite you to relive American history. Civil War Camp Site, Two show battles with living history and encampment tours daily. Also available, Infantry, Mounted Cavalry and full scale artillery demonstrations. See what life was like for a Civil War Soldier of the blue and gray during the mid 1860's and Civil War in the State of California's largest regional park.