This weekend marks 23 years for the Zoar Civil War reenactment event.
Site Director Tammi Shrum says this year’s battle commemorates the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Appomattox, which ended the Civil War. Saturday will recreate the battle, and Sunday will show a surrender ceremony.
She notes that the historic village is the perfect spot for this event.
“The setting lends itself to a civil war reenactment. There actually were a handful of soldiers, about 16, that even though the Separatist were pacifists they put those beliefs aside so they could fight in the union army, and it was a big deal. Really had a big rift in the community. City of Zoar, back then, you could buy a substitute to go into the army if you weren’t able to, they were one of the highest number of substitutes of anywhere. They also had a really significant part, and they contributed to the war effort. They donated money to the state so they could raise troops, raise funds, women would darn socks to send off to the soldiers, so it really was a civil war community even through no battles actually happened.”
This weekend will include demonstrations and reenactors located throughout the village.
“It’s really neat to see. We have the confederates camp out, the union camps out, we have artillery, you can walk through the camps, you see all the ladies in those big hoop skirts. It’s only $12 that you get the whole reenactment, all the camps, and all them museum buildings, and for Civil War weekend, anyone that is 12 and under is free.”
The event on Saturday runs from 10am to 5pm and on Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Tickets can be purchased at the reenactment or online at Historic Zoar Village – National Historic Landmark in Ohio.
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