History Speaks: Civil War Stories returns to Buckley Homestead
Civil War Stories, returning to Buckley Homestead on Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Central Time).
This immersive day of living history is presented by Lake County Parks in partnership with the Crown Point Community Library, Lake County Historical Society, and Northwest Indiana Civil War Roundtable, with funding provided by Indiana Humanities.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year’s History Speaks is bigger and better—featuring expanded programming, additional guest speakers, more interactive exhibits, and new family-friendly activities.
Visitors of all ages are invited to:
- Meet Civil War reenactors and learn from their live demonstrations
- Engage with historical interpreters like Abraham Lincoln & Ulysses S. Grant
- Enjoy dramatic readings of Ambrose Bierce stories by local storyteller Grant Fitch
- Explore exhibits like “Faces of the Civil War” and “Walk in a Soldier’s Boots”
- Try fun kids activities like felt quilting and a visit to the Jr. Cadet Challenge Course
- Visit with local authors, learn from historical educators, and explore the beautiful Buckley Homestead
- Cool off with a bottle of Sarsaparilla and grab a bite from local food vendors
Presentations throughout the day will highlight both well-known and under-told stories of the Civil War, including explorations of wartime faith, daring missions, and connections to contemporary history.
Highlights of the scheduled events include:
- 10:30 AM – Opening Flag Ceremony by the Marine Corps League
- 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM – Theatrical performances of Ambrose Bierce stories by Grant Fitch
- 12:30 PM – A presentation on Civil War quilts by Dr. Dickerson
- Throughout the day – Speaker series under the Civil War Roundtable Tent, historical silhouettes, and hands-on experiences
Admission is free and no registration is required—just show up ready to explore.
Images from the 2024 event:
