LeRoy Heritage Museum announces its 2014 Civil War Encampment to be held on Saturday, May 31, at the community grounds on Mill Street in LeRoy, Bradford County. The family-friendly event will include popular demonstrations from last year plus new demonstrations and a presentation by Civil War historian and author, Kurt D. Lafy.
The activities will begin at 11 am with cannon fire by the 4th US Light Artillery. The LeRoy Heritage Museum will open at that time with new exhibits and many new items on display. Admission to the LeRoy Heritage Museum is a donation to support the local history preservation work.
At 11:30 am, the 141stPA Volunteer Infantry, Company A, will demonstrate a dress parade, including a narrated weapons safety check. The activity will be followed with gun fire by file and volley fire by the Company, after which the Company’s camp will be open for public inspection to give visitors an opportunity to see how Civil War soldiers lived on the field.
Museum volunteers will serve lunch from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm as the food is available. An ice cream social will be held. All food will be served inside the LeRoy community building and proceeds benefit the museum.
Lafy will offer a presentation about the history of the 141stPA Volunteer Infantry at 12:30 pm by under the pavilion at the rear of the community building.
The 4th US Light Artillery will conduct a cannon firing demonstration by in the ball field on the grounds at 1:30 pm.
The “School of the Soldier” will be performed by the 141st PA Volunteer Infantry, Company A, at 2:30 pm, followed by gun firing demonstrations and an advance on the enemy at 3:30 pm.
The event will come to a close at 4 pm with cannon fire by the 4th US Light Artillery.
The Barclay Mountain Visitor Center gift shop, inside the museum, will be open throughout the event. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about museum membership and the museum.
In addition to the temporary exhibits, the museum offers 12 main exhibits that describe life in LeRoy Township, Granville Township, and Canton Township, as well as old Barclay Township, the most remote area in Bradford County. The museum features the largest collection of items from the abandoned lumbering town of Laquin. Returning patrons will notice many additions and changes to the main exhibits since last season.
Admission to the Civil War Encampment grounds is free although donations at the museum that make special events throughout the year possible are appreciated.
All ages will enjoy learning about life in the Civil War during this event, from young children to senior citizens.
LeRoy Heritage Museum is located off Rt. 414 on Mill Street in LeRoy Township. Signage is visible along Rt. 414. Parking is available on the grounds.
For more information about LeRoy Heritage Museum, interested readers may log on to www.leroyheritage.orgor call 570-364-5003. The LeRoy Heritage Museum is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way. The Civil War Encampment is sponsored in part by the Bradford County Room Tax Fund and the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau.
LeRoy Heritage Museum will be open from 1 to 4 pm on Saturdays from May 24 through Labor Day weekend.