Replica Train, Reenactors, Living History, Expert Speakers, Cannon Fire and More Take Place Aug. 28-30
The N.C. Transportation Museum is proud to announce plans to bring the Lincoln Funeral Train and the Leviathan locomotive to Spencer, N.C. for a full weekend of Civil War-era recreations, music, living history, tours, sutlers, and more, Aug. 28-30.
The Lincoln Funeral Train is a full size replica of the train that carried the mortal remains of our 16th President from Washington, D.C. to Springfield, Ill in May of 1865. Our event will feature train rides on this historic replica, reenactments of the small town stops the train made for mourners to pay their respects, and a host of other Civil War themed activities. The museum’s 57 acre site will be filled with reenactors, living history demonstrations, live music, expert speakers and much more.
Festivities begin Friday, Aug. 28 with Dinner and Music of the Civil War. This 1860s era dinner and tasting of the First Ladies’ desserts will take place in the museum’s historic Bob Julian Roundhouse. The Huckleberry Brothers will provide a full performance of authentic music from the 1860s, brought to life with 5-string banjo, fiddle, guitar, concertina, tin whistle, bones, and tambourine, while Civil War reenactors provide an artillery display on the turntable. This special offering is separate from the regular ticket purchase.
Saturday, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Aug. 30 will feature reenanctments of a stop by the Lincoln Funeral Train on the Bob Julian Roundhouse turntable. The replica engine and funeral train car have been created as an accurate representation of the train that moved Abraham Lincoln’s remains, and his son’s remains, across the country after his death. Tours of the car and reenactments of the train’s stops across the country will take visitors back in time, to the close of one of the most tenuous periods in our nation’s history.
Civil War reenactors, cannon firings, living history demonstrations, Civil war era weapons, a children’s military drill experience, history presentations, and live performances by the Huckleberry Brothers will add to the experience of stepping back in time. A funeral march and grand review of the reenactors will round out each day’s events.
Saturday night, the museum offers Lincoln Lost: Historical Vignettes Lantern Tour. Guides in period dress will lead tours every 15 minutes, with living history demonstrators telling how they heard the news of Lincoln’s assassination and what it meant to them. Nighttime cannon fire will round out this special evening event, offered separately from the general ticket purchase.
Other offerings will include the Emancipation Proclamation “Freedom For All” exhibit, children’s activities and games, and sutlers selling Civil War era items. A full listing of activities and more can be found at www.nctrans.org.
Admission to Saturday and Sunday daytime events is $14 for children (3-12) and $18 for adults. Admission plus the Leviathan train ride is $20 for children (3-12) and $25 for adults.
Friday night, Aug. 28, tickets for Dinner and Music of the Civil War Featuring the Huckleberry Brothers is $25 for individuals or $40 for the couple. Tickets include the full dinner experience, reenactors, and the music of the Huckleberry Brothers.
Lost Lincoln: Vignettes By Lantern Light will be offered Saturday night, Aug. 29, and will be take place every 15 minutes, from 7:15 to 9 p.m. Guests will also enjoy nighttime cannon fire to round out the evening.
Saturday Only Combo tickets include Saturday admission, the train ride and lantern tour for $35/person.
Weekend Combo tickets include Dinner and Music of the Civil War, Saturday or Sunday daytime admission plus the train ride and the Lost Lincoln Lantern Tours. The ticket cost is $55/person.
Tickets are available online at www.nctrans.org, however, combination options must be ordered by phone at 704-636-2889 ext. 224.