Civil War Weekend in Anna will be Feb. 8-10 | Arts & Culture

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Shawnee Hills Art Council of Anna Arts Center and P.A.S.T. of Union County are co-sponsoring a Civil War Weekend February 8 through 10.

Some of the planned events include:

• The play "Stories of the Blue and Gold”
• Historical bus tour: Lincoln’s Footsteps and Friends in Anna-Jonesboro
• Exhibits which include Kirkpatrick pottery, guns and quilts
• Re-enactors and encampment; storytelling
• Civil War era food and music

On Friday night, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m. P.A.S.T. of Union County will host the Seventh Annual Lincoln Legacy Dinner, which will celebrate President Lincoln’s birthday with dinner, Silent and Live Auction, Civil War era exhibits, a preview of the play “Stories of the Blue and Gray,” and Presentation “Lincoln in the Movies” by Bryon Andreasen, Research Historian from the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum. Call 618-833-9928 for reservations at $25. Reservations no later than Monday, Feb. 4.

On Saturday, Feb. 9, from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., the Anna Arts Center will be open for people to visit the exhibits, listen to guest speakers on the effects of the Civil War in Southern Illinois, and hear some Civil War era music. Also there will children activities that will make learning about the Civil war fun! It is all free from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At 7 p.m. on Saturday, the Anna Arts Center will host the play “Stories of the Blue and Gray.” Call 618-697-0009 reservations at $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

On Sunday, Feb, 10, at 1 p.m. there is a one-hour historical bus tour of Lincoln’s Footsteps and Friends in Anna-Jonesboro. The tour relegates the history and stories of Lincoln’s visit to Union County as well as visit a Civil War Era P.A.S.T. home. Call 618-833-8745 for reservations at $10 by Feb 4. Also at 1 p.m. Bob Schmidt & Dr. Susan Whitemountain will discuss their Civil War Era books.

At 2 p.m., at the Anna Arts Center, the Anna-Jonesboro Rotary will present the Exhibit Contest Awards to the winners. Also, guests will have another opportunity to visit the exhibit contest entries.

At 2:30 p.m., the Anna Arts center will host the Play “Stories of Blue and Gray.” Call 618-697-0009 for reservations at $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

Location/Information: The Anna Arts Center is located at 117 West Davie Street, Anna, Ill. For more information on the weekend or you want to participate by doing an exhibit or a vendor, please contact: Lee Hackney, Coordinator, phone 618-833-6525, cell 904-625-1109 or email: vabchlee@gmail.com.

Tentative Schedule of Events for Saturday, Feb 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. include:

• 9:30 a.m. -  “A Nation Descending into Chaos: The Lincoln-Douglas Debates” by Bryon Andreasen, Research Historian from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
• 10:45 a.m. -  "The Southern Illinois Response to the Emancipation Proclamation" by Darrell Dexter, Southern Illinois Historian and Author
• 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. - Free Biscuit Lunch. Eat Just like the soldiers or BBQ sandwiches, Chips and drink for $4. Enjoy the Exhibits!
• 11:45 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. - Music, Storytelling
• 1 p.m. - "Civil War Photography" by Charles Swedlund, Retired Professor Of Photography at SIU-C and an expert on historical photography.
• 2 p.m. - "The Civil War And Poetry: Whitman, Dickinson, Tuckerman, and Lincoln" by Phil Egelston, Southern Illinois writer and artist.
•  3 p.m. - "Southern Illinoisans in the Vicksburg Campaign” by Glen Bishop, Civil War researcher and lecturer specializing in Southern Illinois.
• 4 p.m. -  "Egypt's Soldiers"  by Mike Jones, Director of General John A. Logan Museum

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