2016 Fairfax Civil War Day Set for April 30

PHOTO: Historic Blenheim Estate, photo courtesy of estate

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FAIRFAX CITY, VA -- Experience American Civil War camp life and a variety of living history presentations during the 2016 Fairfax Civil War Day, to be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 30 at the Historic Blenheim Estate, 3610 Old Lee Highway, the City said Friday in an announcement. Here's more about the event, from the City news release:

New this year: Cricket, the “baseball of the era,” and a selection of rare historical documents. Visitors of all ages can join a period cricket game, see documents from the American Civil War, including vital court documents and sketches created by a Civil War soldier. All of this takes place on a wooded 12-acre estate that includes a home built circa 1859, a family graveyard, and more.

Special guests will portray historical figures including Clara Barton, General and Mrs. Robert E. Lee, Colonel John S. Mosby, General James Longstreet, aeronaut Thaddeus Lowe, and preservationist Sarah Tracy. Re-enactors will demonstrate and discuss a spectrum of topics including cavalry tactics, African-American units in the United States Colored Troops, medicine, blacksmithing with a replica 1862 traveling forge, and the preservation of Mount Vernon.

Events include talks on a variety of Civil War subjects, including the Arlington Freedman’s Village, slavery, and the end of the war. A highlight this year is an exhibit of original art from Private Robert Sneden, who documented the war through meticulous pen-and-ink maps and sketches. Civil War documents from the Fairfax County Circuit Court Archives will also be on display in the site’s Civil War Interpretive Center.

Popular annual activities include firing cannon artillery guns, youth “boot camps” for kids, author/vendor tents, and wagon rides through soldier camps. Dearest Home will play period music and present a workshop on abolitionist songs.

Also, guided tours of the first floor of the Blenheim house and its famous soldier graffiti will be offered from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m that day.

Admission is $5 per adult and $3 per child age 12 and younger. Proceeds benefit the restoration of the Historic Blenheim Estate. Free parking and full accessibility shuttle service are provided at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run. (Please note: parking is not available at the event site.)

This event is produced by the City of Fairfax; Historic Fairfax City Inc.; and the 17th Virginia Infantry, Company D “Fairfax Rifles.”

For more information — including directions and parking — visit www.fairfaxva.gov or call 703-591-0560.