The photos you see here were taken at Congress Park in Saratoga Springs, NY on September 20th, 2008. The Civil War was fought mainly in the south, but there were a few battles in the north as well. New York actually played a big factor in the war, because the majority of factories were here, and the state was so big that many men enlisted from this state as well. Unlike what you may learn in Elementary School, the Civil War's main focus was not slavery, but in keeping the union together as one. There were many other issues at hand aside from slavery, but that was one of the big things to change at the end of the war.
This was a very educational experience, and even very hands on. Reenactors and visitors came from all over the country for this, and it was made into something wonderful. Congress Park was turned into a small encampment of soldiers, and each part had its own activity and history to view. Visitors could see actual artifacts from the war, see a live reenactment band playing music from the time period, and there were tons of setups around to show what life was like. Children had the benefit of "enlisting" and were taken through a short gun drill with wooden guns--it was adorable. There were even horses dressed to match what a commanding officer would ride, and they were gorgeous. It was a terrific learning experience, and quite a bit of fun. If you're ever in the area and this event is taking place once more, I highly recommend going to see it. It's completely free (or was when I went) and well worth your time. |
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