Civil War Christmas at Bennett Place
(DURHAM)—Relive how North Carolinians celebrated Christmas during the Civil War at Bennett Place State Historic Site in Durham, Saturday, Dec. 15 and Sunday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Decorated as it would have been in North Carolina’s piedmont during a mid-19th century holiday season, the former Bennett Farm will present period holiday cooking, caroling, music and decorating, along with reenactors musing about how the war’s turmoil affected Christmas celebrations. Visitors at the program will have a chance to participate in many of these activities. Bennett Place’s holiday program is free though donations are accepted and appreciated.
A new highlight of Bennett Place’s Civil War Christmas program will be the first-ever appearance of “Civil War Santa Claus” who will meet and greet children and adults alike from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Special musical entertainment will be provided throughout the weekend by the ensemble “Banjo Man”, Marty Liebschner and Greg Starbuck. Other musical talent will include Rob Morrison and Henry Reid Ringer.
Throughout the holiday program, the site’s visitor center will be open, showcasing artifacts and exhibits recalling the life of the Bennett family and the soldiers and events surrounding the surrender of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston to Union General William T. Sherman at the farmhouse in 1865. A historical video on Bennett Place entitled “Dawn of Peace” will be shown throughout the day. Visitors will also be able to browse the museum gift shop, which will offer for sale various Civil War and Bennett Place related souvenirs and collectibles.
Once the farm home of the James Bennitt (or Bennett) family, Bennett Place became the site of the largest troop surrender of the Civil War. On April 26, 1865, General Joseph E. Johnston and General William T. Sherman met at the Bennett family farmhouse to negotiate a peaceful solution to America’s most tragic war. Bennett Place’s mission is to preserve and interpret the history of the largest surrender of the Civil War and the lives of 19th century yeoman farmers such as the Bennetts.
Located in West Durham, Bennett Place can be reached by taking 15-501 North, the Durham Freeway (147), or I-85; follow the brown historic site signs. For further information please call 919-383-4345, email bennett@ncmail.net or go to http://www.nchistoricsites.org/bennett/bennett.htm.