Re-enactment brings Civil War to C.O.

Hundreds of Central Oregon students advanced their education by taking a step back in time on Friday. For the fifth year, Civil War re-enactors got into character and offered some unique lessons at the House on Metolius Meadow, near Camp Sherman.

About 1,200 students learned what life was really like during the Civil War. The Northwest Civil War Council, a nonprofit, helps people discover history by immersing them in it.

“If you come to a Civil War re-enactment you can actually get to see what the soldiers and the civilians experienced during that time. You can smell the different smells, the black powder, the food that they used. You can see how they lived back then,” re-enactor Emily Wattez said.

The living history camps include more than 200 re-enactors who stay in character throughout the day.

Alan Edwards plays Abraham Lincoln. True to form, he was honest about how why these events stick with students.

“It brings it to life,” he said. “They would probably forget about it if they read it in a book a month later. Here, they’re going to remember it all their life, that they went out and saw Abe Lincoln in the middle of the woods.”

Many of the re-enactors also get something out of the experience.

“I do it because I’m a big history buff. I’ve always been a big history buff,” Tom Warrick said. He’s been part of the group for 27 years, and said people are always surprised by what they learn from these demonstrations.

“The whole thing with school kids is, if they can see it and feel it and talk to people that know what they’re talking about, it’s better than just dry information out of a book,” Warrick said.

The re-enactments will continue throughout the weekend. Information for the event is below:

The House on Metolius Meadow
www.Metolius.com
Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
General admission $8.00. Seniors and students $5.00 Children under 6, free. Parking, $5 per vehicle to help the Boy Scouts.