Historic Cold Spring to Host Civil War Weekend

CAPE MAY – The Civil War comes to life at Historic Cold Spring Village’s annual Civil War Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can tour Union and Confederate camps and meet authentically clad and equipped military and civilian reenactors who will discuss the everyday lives of Civil War soldiers and the roles civilians played in supporting them. Historian Mike Kochan, who played a vital role in the recovery of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley in 2000, will have a display of Civil War-era naval and telegraph technology- what he refers to as “nineteenth century text messaging.” Educator and weapons expert Jack Meyers will be in the Village Welcome Center with a large display of Civil War-era firearms. Stirring battle reenactments will occur both days at 2 pm, and vendors of reproduction period merchandise will be found on “Sutler’s Row.” The Village, which re-creates a rural community in the 1800s, serves as the perfect backdrop in presenting this event to the public, which is generously sponsored by The CapeBank Foundation.
Historic Cold Spring Village is a non-profit, open-air living history museum that portrays the daily life of a rural South Jersey community of the Early American period. It features 26 restored historic structures on a 30-acre site. From late June to early September, interpreters and artisans in period clothing preserve the trades, crafts and heritage of “the age of homespun.” Fun and educational activities for children are featured Tuesday through Sunday, with special events every weekend through mid-September.
The Village is located on Route 9, three miles north of Victorian Cape May and a mile and a half west of the southern terminus of the Garden State Parkway. Admission during the season is $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under 3 are admitted free. Unlimited free admission is available with Village membership. The Village Nature Trail at Bradner’s Run is open to the public for free self-guided tours. Visit the Country Store, Needle Arts Coop, Bakery, Ice Cream Parlor and Cold Spring Grange Restaurant. For more information on events, membership, volunteering, or booking private affairs, please call (609) 898-2300, ext. 10, or visit the Village website at www.hcsv.org.