History Comes Alive at Camp Ford
The Smith County Historical Society and the East Texas Brigade, Sons of Confederate Veterans, will present the first-ever living history event at Camp Ford Historic Park.
The event takes place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Camp Ford site, the largest Confederate prisoner of war camp west of the Mississippi River. Although originally established as a training camp, it was converted in the summer of 1863 to a prison camp for Union troops.
Re-enactors from all over the South will join the Capt. James P. Douglas Camp and Douglas Battery of Tyler to relive the history of Camp Ford.
Activities include cannon firings, infantry drills, musket volleys, flag presentations and more.
There will be vignettes of prisoners and guards, weapons demonstrations, shirt sewing and soldiers' equipment and haversacks. Sunday morning will feature a church service at 10 a.m.
"It's really not a re-enactment," said Bob G. Davidson, brigade commander and organizer of the event. "It's more of a living history. People come out and really enjoy it."
Visitors are encouraged to act with presenters, and docents will be available to guide groups through Camp Ford Park.
Overnight encampments that began Friday will continue Saturday.
The Camp Ford site is located northeast of Tyler on U.S. Highway 271, about one mile north of Loop 323. For more information, call (903) 581-7891.
THE ART OF WAR
In connection with the Camp Ford living history event, guests can enjoy Civil War art and refreshments at the Thomas Kinkade Signature Art Gallery and Showcase Art Gallery on Saturday.
The gallery will host "the largest collection of Civil War fine art in East Texas," event coordinator JoAnn McMeans said.
Civil War memorabilia also will be on display. Several historically accurate reproductions of garments and officer uniforms, along with many original pieces, will be shown Saturday.
The cast of "Little Women," which closed March 3 at the Rogers Children's Theatre, will serve refreshments such as strawberries with cream and gingersnaps. The cast will be in full Civil War costume, and will be on hand at the gallery from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Showcase Art Gallery is located at 113 E. Seventh St. in Bergfeld Center. Hours are 10 a.m.-5: 30 p.m.
©Tyler Morning TelegraphÊ2005, TX