Durham
Dec 2, 2015
Even in the face of the painful Civil War, soldiers on both sides tried to celebrate Christmas. Southern soldiers and families endured the hardships caused by the Union blockade. Union soldiers longed to be home. Bennett Place will give voice to the soldiers and civilians, men and women, with the "Bennett Place Celebrates Christmas During the Civil War" program Dec. 11 and 12.
A new program will offer candlelight tours around the property Friday, Dec. 11, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Every 20 minutes the tours will guide visitors into the field to watch Union and Confederate troops hold a truce and exchange items. Afterward the tour will take visitors to the historic Bennett home to watch and listen as family members prepare food and decorate the house to keep the holiday spirit. Hot apple cider and cookies will be available in the visitor center. Admission is adults, $3; ages 5-16, $2; under 5, free.
The annual "Christmas in the Piedmont" program Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature ongoing living history demonstrations of life in the field and on the homefront. Watch soldiers decorate their camps, read letters and open packages from home at this free event.
Women will be baking and preparing food in the kitchen. Examples of items often sent to soldiers will be on display, along with a Christmas tree with presents under it. Santa will be on-site to delight children of all ages. Hot apple cider and cookies will be available in the visitor center as will a bake sale with lots of goodies to purchase. All proceeds help with preservation of the site.
For additional information, please call (919) 383-4345, email bennett@ncdcr.gov or check out the website www.bennettplacehistoricsite.com. Bennett Place is within the Division of State Historic Sites in the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. It is located at 4409 Bennett Memorial Road, Durham, N.C.