Topics Related to Civil War

Enjoy a glimpse of how an eastern North Carolina Christmas was celebrated during the Civil War at the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site in Four Oaks. It will host a Holiday Open House Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On March 21-22, 2020, thousands of living historians from across the country will descend on Bentonville Battlefield for the 155th Anniversary reenactment of North Carolina’s largest battle.

The sounds of artillery and musket fire will once again ring out at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site. The annual summer artillery living history program will be held Saturday, Aug. 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

They met to make peace. Two old enemies met in the humble parlor at the farm house of James and Nancy Bennett. The result of that meeting was the largest surrender of troops during the Civil War on April 26, 1865. This was not the only surrender during the Civil War, and Bennett Place will examine it and other surrenders in the program, "Terms of Surrender,” Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

African Americans were ready to fight for freedom when the Civil War started, and before it ended they were recruited to take up arms. The CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center will explore that process in the program, “African American Troops in Eastern North Carolina,” followed by a Wyse Fork Battlefield tour Saturday, Feb. 2, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Lunch and Learn program fee is $10.

Food, fun, special events and history will take over the town during the Kinston BBQ Fest Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to classic cars and barbecue, see some of the period physician’s tools at a free medical program at the CSS Neuse. 

Due to potentially inclement weather, two of the four state historic sites planning Park Day for April 7 have rescheduled. Park Day will go on at Historic Edenton and Fort Fisher April 7 as planned.

The meeting of opposing generals inside the humble parlor of James and Nancy Bennett was a small part of making peace and ending the Civil War. Why did the negotiations take days longer than those at Appomattox? How did the ending impact black and white civilians, the free and enslaved?

History buffs, community leaders and preservationists will aid in the preservation of Civil War sites in North Carolina Saturday, April 7, as part of Park Day.

The CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center in Kinston will present three free educational and engaging presentations, Saturday, Feb. 24, to celebrate Black History month.