The Friends of South Mountain State Battlefield

The Struggle of Crampton’s Gap; A Guided Walking Tour
Learn about the Civil War Battle that occurred at Crampton's Gap by joining South Mountain Battlefield interpreter Steve Lopez for a ninety minute walking tour of the Crampton's Gap battlefield (Gathland State Park). Discover how the decisions made in the battle affected the 1862 Maryland Campaign. Programs will begin at the Gathland State Park museum, 2:30 PM each Sunday May 9 through June 13. Free admission.

Every Friday, April 30 through September 3rd, Friday Afternoon Battlefield Ranger Programs
Programs will be conducted every Friday at 1:00 pm beginning on April 30th and run through September 3rd. The Friday Afternoon Battlefield Ranger Programs will address various aspects of the Battle of South Mountain and the Civil War and how it relates to the area. Some programs will feature a period dressed interpreter educating the public on such topics as “A Day in the Life of a Civil War Soldier” or the “Tools of the Trade,” a discussion of Civil War weapons and uniforms of the average Civil War soldier. Programs may also consist of tours of the battlefield from Washington Monument or a hike to Fox’s Gap from Turner’s Gap, following in the footsteps of Drayton’s Confederate Brigade. Please come prepared with bottled water and comfortable shoes. All programs will begin at the Washington Monument State Park Museum unless noted otherwise and will be free to the public. Since these programs change weekly, please call the Battlefield Office for a weekly schedule.

June 19-20, Living History, Gathland State Park
Join Confederate living historians as they demostrate the campaign life of the average Confederate soldier from Cobb’s Legion during the Maryland Campaign. Infantry demonstrations, cooking demonstrations and talks about the Battle of Crampton’s Gap will be held throughout the weekend. Free admission.

July 17-18, Confederates at Turner’s Gap
Confederate soldiers will occupy Turner's Gap once more. Interact with living historians portraying Captain John Lane's Battery and Colonel Alfred Colquitt's Brigade of infantry. Demonstrations will be held throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, and will include infantry and artillery drill, cooking, and soldier life scenarios. All are welcome and the event is free to the public!

August 14-15, War Returns to South Mountain, Summer Symposium Series Event
Join John A. Miller, Interpreter at the South Mountain State Battlefield, as he conducts an hour long discussion on the South Mountain area during the 1863 Pennsylvania Campaign, and Major General Robert E. Lee’s Invasion of the Pennsylvania. The talk will cover South Mountain before and after the Battle of Gettysburg and will begin at 1:00 pm on August 14th and 15th at the Washington Monument Museum. Included will be a brief tour of the Cumberland Valley from atop the Washington Monument. Free admission.

September 11-12, Fire on the Mountain, Fox’s Gap
Join South Mountain State Battlefield for their annual “Fire on the Mountain” living history weekend. Come and see living historians portray members of Confederate Brigadier General Samuel Garland’s North Carolina Brigade and Union Brigadier General Jacob Cox’s Kanawha Division. Guided walking tours will feature vignettes of specific aspects from the Battle for Fox’s Gap. At these vignettes, living historians will demonstrate tactics, drill, and soldier life, as well as firing demonstrations, as were described by veterans of the battle. Tours will leave the parking area at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm on Saturday, and 11:00 am, and 1:00 pm on Sunday. Free admission.

South Mountain State Battlefield Outreach Artillery Programs

June 5-6, Monocacy National Battlefield
Technological innovations meant that artillery fire was likely to result in large numbers of wounded soldiers following a battle. Come out and see living history volunteers portray Civil War artillery crews and field hospital staff. Learn how cannon were used in battle and the medical efforts that provided aid and comfort to the wounded. Artillery firing and medical demonstrations will take place at Gambrill Mill. Free admission.

June 12-13, Artillery Weekend, Antietam National Battlefield
Living history volunteers portray Colonel Stephen D. Lee’s Battalion, and will discuss the role of artillery at Antietam. Located near the center of the Confederate line, the hill that the visitor center is built on was a key Confederate artillery position. Firing demonstrations will be held throughout the weekend. Free admission.

June 25, 2010, Frederick County Historical Sites and Museums at Frederick Keys Harry Grove Stadium. Time 8-4pm

June 26-27, Mountain Top Heritage Days, Fort Ritchie, Maryland
Living historians will be on site both Saturday and Sunday providing programs, displays, and lectures about the Battle of Monterey Pass as well as civilians during the Civil War. The South Mountain State Battlefield Artillery Detachment will also be on site both Saturday and Sunday providing demonstrations on how an artillery detachment operated during the Civil War. Free admission.

July 2, Antietam Sparkle, Antietam National Battlefield
The occasion of Antietam Sparkle provides an opportunity for long-time as well as new supporters of the Symphony to join together for an evening of socializing in support of the MSO.

The July 2010 event will be co hosted by the Antietam National Battlefield. Held from 6pm until 10pm, the event begins with a cocktail hour and raffle at St. James School after which attendees gather in the Historic Mumma Farm Barn on the grounds of the Antietam National Battlefield. The evening continues with a catered 4th of July Picnic buffet followed by dessert coinciding with a ‘live’ auction.

In the spirit of holding the event on the grounds of the Antietam Battlefield, a gun detachment of Civil War living historian will display and demonstrate a period Napoleon Canon. One guest, will even have the opportunity to join the gun detachment in a ‘once in a lifetime experience’ to pull the canon’s lanyard and ‘fire.’ And of course, it wouldn’t be Sparkle without MSO Music Director Elizabeth Schulze who will also attend to mingle with the event attendees!

Plans are underway for the July 2010 event which will be held on Friday, July 2. Antietam National Battlefield is co host of the event with the MSO Board of Directors. Reservations for the July 2, 2010 event can be made by contacting the MSO office at 301-797-4000 or by emailing info@marylandsymphony.org

September 4-5, 14th Annual Labor Day Artillery Weekend, Gettysburg National Military Park
Volunteer groups representing Union and Confederate troops provide a weekend of "living history" at Gettysburg National Military Park. The weekend will feature artillery from the Maryland State Park Service and Purcell’s Battery. Camp and programs will be at Pitzer Woods, auto tour stop number 6. Free admission.

September 18, Heart of the Civil War, Newcomer House, Antietam National Battlefield
Join us at the Newcomer House as we help to dedicate the new visitor center and museum. The South Mountain Artillery detachment will be doing an artillery presentation.

September 19, Antietam National Battlefield
A full schedule including special battlefield hikes, two concerts by the Wildcat Band on Saturday, and living history artillery and infantry firing demonstrations on Sunday will take place this weekend. A detailed schedule will be announced in late August.

September 25, Middletown Heritage Days
Join in celebrating the heritage of the Middletown community with 18th Century and Civil War Living History Encampments, heritage children's games and crafts, and great entertainment. www.middletownheritagefestival.com

October 16-17, Bell Grove Plantation, Cedar Creek, Virginia
Belle Grove commemorates the 146th anniversary of the Battle of Cedar Creek. Activities will include living history events, along with a commemorative wreath laying on Sunday at 1:00 pm. Admission charged.

October 30-31, Artillery Weekend, Harper’s Ferry National Historical Site
This event will feature artillery firing demonstrations from the Maryland State Park Service as well as Purcell’s Battery. Free admission.

Dates and locations are subject to change due to the weather and special events, so please check the this web page or call the park office before you attend to make sure we are meeting at the scheduled place and time. Thank you!