Oct. 1 Vermont Expo To Raise Preservation Funds

October 2005

TUNBRIDGE, Vt. — Youths under age 15 and people in period dress will have free admission at the ninth annual Civil War Expo at the historic Tunbridge Fairgrounds on Oct. 1.

The gates will open at 10 a.m. for the preservation fundraiser. The day will feature reenactor camps, artillery, cavalry and infantry drill, talks, presentations on artifact preservation and genealogical research, book signings, historical and artifact displays, Sanitary Commission demonstrations, educational programs for children and an afternoon skirmish.

A dusk torchlight parade from the fairgrounds will pass through the village of Tunbridge to the Civil War Monument and a brief ceremony and military salute. The evening will conclude with an encampment bonfire and period music at the fairgrounds.

Proceeds from Expo admissions and raffles will go to statewide preservation projects and preservation of land at Petersburg, Va. That is where soldiers of the 1st Vermont Brigade lay waiting for several predawn hours on the morning of April 2, 1865. Then, in front of 12,000 other soldiers, they charged the Confederate works and broke the nine-month siege around Petersburg, leading to the evacuation of Richmond and surrender of Robert E. Lee’s army.

The 18th Vermont Regiment has contributed more than $42,500 to historic preservation projects from previous events.

Expo admission is $10 for people over age 15. Parking is free. For information contact Russ and Sue Slora, (802) 476-3580, e-mail eighteenthvtregt@aol.com or visit www.18thvt.com.