Family Fun At Fort Fisher “Living Our Civil War (Sic) History” Aug. 14

News Release

2^nd Saturdays Family Fun at Fort Fisher “Living Our Civil War History” Aug. 14

KURE BEACH – Music, crafts and costumed interpreters will illustrate 19^th-century living at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site event “Living Our Civil War History” on Aug. 14 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Crafts people and vendors will demonstrate and sell mid-19^th-century crafts

This free event is part of “2nd Saturdays,” a statewide summer initiative at State Historic Sites and museums that combines arts, history, culture and fun for all ages. Visitors will be able to visit artists’ booths, tour Fort Fisher with a costumed interpreter, watch a blacksmith in action and see small arms and weapons demonstrations. Author Jack Travis will present a talk on his book “Men of God, Angels of Death: Maj. James Reilly and the fight to save Fort Fisher.”

“We’re planning a summertime experience with a nice blend of entertainment, crafts and hands-on fun,” said Assistant Site Manager Amy Manor Thornton. “Bring a camera and come see just what 19^th-century living was all about.”

State Historic Sites and museums of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources (www.ncculture.com) will have special programs combining heritage and arts on Aug. 14, so pack a picnic and have a great day out. Selections from the 37 venues include coastal woodworking at Historic Edenton, a free evening concert at the State Capitol, or a day with Dr. Stan South, the famous archaeologist, storyteller and author who did original excavation work at Brunswick Town.

Partners with the Department of Cultural Resources in 2^nd Saturdays include “Our State” magazine, the Division of Tourism within the N.C. Department of Commerce, and the Tourism Extension Program in N.C. State University’s Parks Recreation and Tourism Management program; with grant support from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

Fort Fisher, the largest earthen fortification in the Confederacy, once protected the port of Wilmington and the vital blockade-running trade on the Cape Fear River. After two massive bombardments, the Fort fell to a Union infantry assault on Jan. 15, 1865, and the port was closed to foreign trade.

Visitors to Fort Fisher can tour the remaining portions of the historic earthworks. A shaded scenic trail winds around a portion of the Fort’s land face and provides excellent views of the Cape Fear River. Exhibits in the visitor center include the fiber-optic battle map of the 2^nd Battle for Fort Fisher and artifacts from the shipwreck of the blockade-runner Modern Greece.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site is located at 1610 Fort Fisher Blvd. South, Kure Beach, N.C. 28449. For information on this program or the site, call (910) 458-5538 or visit www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site is part of the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency with the mission to enrich lives and communities, and the vision to harness the state’s cultural resources to build North Carolina’s social, cultural and economic future. Information on Cultural Resources is available 24/7 at www.ncculture.com.

Small arms and artillery demonstrations will be part of the free 2^nd Saturdays program on Aug. 14 at Fort Fisher State Historic Site, when fun, heritage and arts will meet. This is the final program in the summer series at Fort Fisher and other State Historic Sites. (Photo courtesy of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources)