Civil War Encampment

May 3, 10:00 a.m.-5 p.m.

May 4, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

The armies of the Blue and Gray will once again take to the battlefield. Only this time it will be in Rising Sun, Indiana, and the outcome does not matter. This is an excellent opportunity to meet with some of the over 100 re-enactors and ask questions of what life was like over 140 years ago.

The Civil War Encampment is presented by the Ohio County Historical Society and will be held at the Shiner Community Park located behind the Ohio County Elementary Middle School. The event will be held on Saturday May 3, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and on Sunday May 4, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Both days are packed with activities. Besides the battle there will be cannon firing demonstrations, Union and Confederate drills, and musket firing demonstrations. The camps will be open for viewing to see how they would have looked while the soldiers were in the field. The soldiers are available and willing to answer your questions. There will also be a flag and weapons of the time period display.

Of special interest will be Bob Hartsaw who will set up his field photograph studio. He uses reproduction pieces and those of the time period to create photographs like those during the Civil War. There will be period clothing to wear if you desire to have a photograph made for a fee. Mr. Hartsaw loves to talk about the process of making photographs the old way.

The schedule for the day:

Saturday May 3 Sunday May 4

10:00 Camps open 9:00 Camps open

Cannon Firing Demonstration Cannon Firing Demonstrations

10:30 Drill (Union & Confederate troops) 9:30 Drill (Union & Confederate troops)

11:30 Musket firing demonstrations 10:30 Musket firing demonstrations

12:00 Cannon Firing Demonstration 11:00 Cannon Firing Demonstrion

12:30 Abraham & Mary Todd Lincoln 11:30 Abraham & Mary Todd

presentation presentation

1:00 Visit soldiers as they prepare for battle 12:00 Visit soldiers as they prepare for battle

2:00 Battle 1:00 Battle

3:30 Surgeon display 2:30 Surgeon display

Not-for-profits will be selling food throughout the event to raise money for their organizations. The Historical Society will also have a museum store set up with Civil War and local history related items. For more information call 812-438-4915.

This is a FREE event and is sponsored by Rising Sun/Ohio County Park Board, City of Rising Sun, Ohio County Community Foundation, and Rising/Ohio County Tourism.

The Ohio County Historical Museum (212 S. Walnut Street, Rising Sun, Indiana, 47040) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located along the Ohio River Scenic By-way. Museum hours are 11-4 Monday-Saturday, 1:30-4:30 Sunday, and closed Wednesdays. Admission to the museum only is $2.50 for adults, $2.00 for senior citizens, $1.00 for high school students, and free for members and children 12 and under. For more information about the event or museum please call Bill Dichtl at (812) 438-4915.

Studio Tour Set For April 26 and 27 in Ohio and Switzerland Counties

The inaugural Creative Spaces Rural Places Studio Tour is set for April 26th and 27th 2008. Ohio and Switzerland Counties open their studios, galleries and shops for a new event celebrating the arts in rural Indiana. Over 40 different artists will show their work in 31 locations to be reviewed, discussed and purchased. The tour will be from 10am until 6pm both days.

The quaint river towns of Rising Sun and Vevay as well as every crossroads and ridge in between are opening their studio doors just for you. This Free tour offers some new and eclectic art works that touch all mediums. Sculpture, paint, glass, fiber, steel, wood, photography, American crafts and instrument design combine for a fabulous palette of talent that reside in these two Southeastern Indiana counties.

Participating artists in Ohio County include: Vera Curnow, colored pencil; Oscar River, photography; William Rees, harp maker; Marsie Rowan, acrylics; Jodie Cole Mullee, pastels; Debi Black, watercolor; Tim Shirack,acrylic on barn wood; Rachel Slick, paper collage; Herb Herrick, oils; Elaine Hess, colored pencil and fused glass; Andrea Grimsley, acrylics and oils; Jamon Zeiler, instrument making; Megan Reis, stained glass; Debby Abrams, pottery; Rosemary Butterbaugh, monotype and Jan West, eclectic sculpture.

Participating artist in Switzerland County include: John Benzing, paint/quilt; Jim Day, sculpture; John Leatherbury, paint; Martha Bladen, floral/jewelry design; Bill Wiseman, woodworking; Donna Cole, pen & ink; Wayne Springer, photography; Jerry Wallin, woodworking; Rick Starker, woodworking; Sarah Headen, paint; Anthony & Mary Christiani, needlework; Tom Adkin, paint; Bud Acton, photography; Meredith Luhrs, sculpture; Pam Acton, photography; Debbie Foster, dolls/quilts; Tony Catanzaro, sculpture; Ann Farnsley, paint/ceramics; Mike Danner, paint; Melodee Stepleton; Fiber, Vickie Althoff, floral design; Debbie Reisenback, paint/jewelry; Dennis Huffman, paint/wood.

Meet the artists, tour their studios, and experience what art means to them and how it has affected their lives. Ohio and Switzerland Counties have many gifted and unique artists, but only once a year can you see them all in one weekend. Don’t miss this rare opportunity, April 26th and 27th from 10am – 6pm.

The Tour is sponsored by the Ohio and Switzerland County Tourism Bureaus.
For more information visit our website www.creativespacesruralplaces.com or call Ohio County Tourism at 438-4933.

I Love America Dinner Program

April 11, 2008, 6:30 p.m.

Charlotte Battin Productions presents I Love America! A Patriotic show packed full of United States History featuring: Betsy Ross and the first American Flag, the story of the National Anthem, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, famous Americans and facts, preamble to the Constitution, Uncle Sam, poetry, music, and drama.

Battin Productions has presented Freedom Is My Home one-woman drama about the Underground Railroad at the Historical Society on two occasions including this past February. A few years ago Battin Productions presented for the Historical Society the entertaining An Afternoon With Gracie. This program kept the audience laughing.

After joining in the celebration of the Veterans Tribute Tower the previous weekend come and continue celebrating our patriotic history. Don’t miss out on this unique learning experience for all ages.

Cost for the dinner program is $12.00 for members and $15.00 for nonmembers. If you would like to attend the program only (8:00 p.m.) the cost is $3.00 for members and $4.00 for nonmembers. Payment must be received by April 8.

This program is sponsored by Ohio County Community Foundation and the Indiana Arts Commission.

The Ohio County Historical Museum (212 S. Walnut Street, Rising Sun, Indiana, 47040) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located along the Ohio River Scenic By-way. Museum hours are 11-4 Monday-Saturday, 1:30-4:30 Sunday, and closed Wednesdays. Admission to the museum only is $2.50 for adults, $2.00 for senior citizens, $1.00 for high school students, and free for members and children 12 and under. For more information about the event or museum please call Bill Dichtl at (812) 438-4915.