Event Schedule

Fritz Klein as Abraham Lincoln

One of the nation's best known reenactors of Abraham Lincoln, Fritz Klein has portrayed the 16th United States president in a variety of shorter films and at numerous venues across the U.S. since 1981. He most recently appeared in the 2018 television miniseries, “Legend and Lies”. Klein's portrayals of the president have achieved local and national recognition. His ability to adapt to any audience and adapt his program’s content to your theme means that you are guaranteed to walk away with new insight into the man and a genuine sense that you have been with Lincoln himself.

Frederick Douglass portrayed by Dr. Robin Duncan

Dr. Robin Duncan tells the story of Frederick Douglass' journey from a slave to a 19th-century American hero. He began performing five years ago and has made numerous presentations in the upper Midwest; The presentation will tell the story of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who escaped from slavery at age 20 and went on to become an internationally renowned anti-racism activist, orator, newspaper editor and writer.

You won’t want to miss the cannon demonstrations. Each day one of the camps will present a cannon demonstration. The Minnesota 2^nd Regiment was a group of citizen soldiers who went off to war to represent Minnesota in the War Between the States. Learn how the cannons were used in battle and about the lives of the artillery soldiers during the War.

Ever wanted to know how to do the Virginia reel, or the Schottische? The Minnesota Living History Society is offering free ballroom dance lessons at the Lodge on Saturday evening at 7:15 pm. Don’t have a partner? They will provide a partner and the skills to dance like the gentry at the Grand Ball at the Hiawatha Lodge on the grounds at 8:00 pm.

If you can walk, you can dance at the Grand Ball! The public is invited to the Hiawatha Lodge, located North of the battle field, at 8 pm on Saturday for an evening of dancing. Come see the reenactors in their Sunday best and if the mood strikes you, feel free to join in the dancing. The 5th Regimental Band will play and a caller will give instructions for the different dances of the 1860s. All are welcome to join us for a free evening of entertainment.

Visit out Blacksmith and learn the important role blacksmiths played during the 1860's. Watch as our blacksmith molds metal into implements available for purchase to the public.

The Pipestone Civil War Days will be featuring a vintage baseball game played by the rules which were enacted prior to the beginning of the Civil War. The Quicksteps will be competing against the Henderson’s and Westerns Saturday on the battlefield.

You will be able to witness the battle as the citizens of Washington D.C. did on the first major encounter of the Civil War. The North and South will be reenacting a battle from 1864 with scrimmages off and on during the morning culminating with the battle in the afternoon.

As you walk around the grounds, feel free to explore our army camps. Our Northern camp can be found at the top of the hill, while our Southern camp is located at the bottom. Feel free to walk through and ask the soldiers and their families about their activities, the latest war news, or what they heard from their families back home. Learn about where soldiers slept, what they ate, how they kept busy, and about the daily routine of a camp. See women cooking and washing clothes for the soldiers. It wasn’t unusual for two armies to be stationed this close to each other, often fighting for weeks over the same bit of ground. You will have to watch the battle to find out who will win this bit of land. The camps are open to the public from 9am to 5pm.

What did children in 1860 do for fun? Kids of all ages can learn and play games of the Civil War era. Who knew fun was possible before the invention of the “television” and “video games”. Children’s Games will be taught and played near the battlefield by the root beer stand. Some games will be available for purchase at the Red Rock Mercantile.

Soon after the start of the Civil War, YMCA leaders became concerned with the religious and spiritual needs of the soldiers in the nearby camps. The general aim of the Commission was to promote the spiritual and temporal welfare of the soldiers.

The Civil War exacted a toll on civilians caught in the wake of military and political imperatives. Often the safest place for a young man was in the Army. The safest place for civilians was as far as they could get from the conflict, yet that was often not a possibility for those who loved their land and it was the site of a battle.

Learn how the "War between the States" directly affected Minnesota. Join Vince Botz, from St. Cloud, MN who recently wrote a book called Stearns County and the Dakota War of 1862. Learn about the men from Freeborn and Faribault Counties who mustered the 5^th Minnesota Regiment Volunteer Infantry, Company C, who enlisted to “Save the Union” in 1961. From August 18th through September 22, 1862, Minnesota was at war with the Dakota. The 5^th Minnesota was sent to quell the uprising. Learn about the causes for this conflict that arose from the Dakota people who were struggling to survive while they watched their culture and lifestyle slowly disappear and how President Lincoln interceded to commute the death sentence for 264 Sioux warriors.

Ever wonder about your future, your past, or about all those bumps on your head? Visit Dr. Cranium at CWD! By exploring those bumps on your head, he can answer your burning questions and explain the mysteries you always wanted to know, but never knew who to ask.

David Maddex, of Omaha, Nebraska discusses the the significance of battle and unit flags. How come there were so many flags during the war? What did they signify? Were they really that important?

Stop and talk to General Grant about the war and observe as he and the president discuss the war and the plans for the future action. Observe as he receives telegraph messages from his officers in the field.

Not just another past time, but a lesson in survival in the 1860’s. Learn about the skills that were required by women to keep their families clothed, warm, and alive.

A history tent will be located at the end of vendor’s row. It will contain pictures and the history of Pipestone’s founding fathers and Civil War Veterans.

National award winner, Jim Two Crows Wallen, is an oral historian who combines his love of history with a good story, keeping you spellbound. For over 25 years, the Missouri native has captured the imaginations of audiences spanning three continents. Two Crows invites you to be submerged in history through his exciting presentations on the Civil War.

What did children and women do while their fathers, husbands and brothers were at war? Learn about the daily life of women and children: what women had to do to keep her family fed, clothed, and the house clean; how the war affected children at school, at home and at play. Learn about their lives and adversities at the programs on Children’s Life and various programs on the Life of Women.

Learn about a doctor’s life and the surgery and care given on the battle fields and the hospitals from the company surgeon at the doctor’s office. A Christian Sanitation Commission will be available to discuss the role they played in caring for the wounded.

Minnesota was an emerging state, having been granted statehood three years prior to the Civil War. Minnesota was the first state to volunteer soldiers to this conflict between the North and the South. This program will provide insight in to life of people in Minnesota and the soldiers were fighting in places most had never heard of or seen.

Ken Nelson and Hartley Alsgaard, songsters will be entertaining at Winchester. They perform songs of the Civil War period, singing and accompanying themselves on guitar and banjo fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, and penny whistle. The songs of the 1860's literally bring history to musical life. You will feel the spirit of the Civil War as they perform the songs of the era and tell the history of the day.

Catherine Grimm of Duluth, MN is currently pursuing her master's degree with an emphasis in American Folk Music, teaching at Duluth Edison Charter Schools as the middle level choir director, and singing with the Arrowhead Chorale. Pipestone Civil War Days first introduced her to American Folk Music, and at the last Civil War Days, to an artillery officer who became her husband. This event will always be her favorite, for many reasons. She will be performing songs from the War as well as discussing their history.

Listen to the 5th Regimental Brass Band in concert Saturday and Sunday and participate in the sing along and dance to their music at the Ball.

Initially it was considered scandalous for women to experience the horrors that existed in army hospitals. This sense of propriety was dropped as the casualties and injuries began to outnumber the doctors available to treat the wounded. The women offering this service clung to the belief that offering comfort and relieve to another woman’s man, when he was far from would mean another unknown sympathetic woman might offer the same level of care to their own men. Lean more at the Civil War Nurses program. Susie King Taylor, a runaway slave from Georgia and Civil War nurse, was one of the first African American nurses in United States history.

Visit the camp photographer at Brady’s Studio and learn about photography during the Civil War. Get your own souvenir photo taken! (subject to availability)

Ever wonder about your future, your past, or about all those bumps on your head? Visit Dr. Cranium! By exploring those bumps on your head, he can answer your burning questions and explain the mysteries you always wanted to know, but never knew who to ask.

The United States Postal Service will be on the grounds on Saturday to provide a special postal cancellation opportunity to visitors. Buy Civil War Days postcards at the Red Rock Mercantile and send them to loved ones the same day!

Learn about quilting and Civil War quilts and knitting at the Cedar Creek tent. While you are visiting, knit a bandage to help the war effort or start a quilt for a soldier. This year's quilt will feature the English Paper Piecing technique. All ages are encouraged to participate.

Prior to the Civil War railroads were a new and relatively untried invention. However, during the rebellion, railroads came of age. They became both strategic resources, as well as a military target, precisely because they were strategic resources. During the war, soldiers, material and food were routinely transported by rail along with civilians and the raw material necessary to keep the war effort progressing. It was soon realized that the railroads would help to make or break the Union or Confederacy. A model Civil War railroad and presentation will be in the Hiawatha Lodge. Program provided by Dave Yost from Sioux Falls, SD.

Experience a school classroom out of the 1860's. Visitors will learn about the educational system during this era and may be surprised at how schools managed during those difficult times. Our school teacher will be instructing all eager pupils out of the McGruffy Reader and Speller. Don't be tardy!

Learn what life was like for the soldiers of the North and the South, and those women who secretly joined. Where They Were Not Supposed to be--Women served as soldiers, laundresses, and cooks during the Civil War. Join us for a survey of the more than 800 women who donned men's clothing to fight for the cause in which they believed.

What did women do at a formal tea? Stop in and learn and have a cup and a treat.

Women's attire in the 1860's was strongly influenced by Queen Victoria of England. These "Victorian" styles could be found in the fashion plates of Godey's magazine and copied by women around the country. This talk will look at the rising fashion ideals, clothing foundation and structure, practical outfits for town and home, and the use of accessories. From petticoats to bonnets, learn about the many layers and the history behind what women wore during the War Between the States.

Spies in the Civil War were common, but no man ever suspected that women would be a spy. The men did not believe that women had the temperament, the treachery cunning or duplicity to be a spy, but over 100 were. Learn about Women as Spies

Woodcarving was a pastime enjoyed by many soldiers. See the woodcarver as he talks about Civil War carvings and the role it played during the War.

Corn Husk Dolls

Visitors to the event will have the opportunity to learn how to make a doll, similar to what a young girl during the Civil War would have had to play with. Those who participate will be able to take their doll home as a souvenir.