Connect with past at Naperville’s Civil War Days

Growing up, Ta-Tanisha Jordan hated history. It’s a bit surprising, then, that this weekend the Channahon resident will take on the persona of an influential but little-known schoolteacher from the 1880s at Naper Settlement’s 29th annual Civil War Days.

Despite being the first African-American to openly teach former slaves and the only black woman to have published her wartime diary, Susie Baker King Taylor eventually turned into what Jordan calls “an unsung hero” from the Civil War era.

“It’s a powerful story,” said Jordan, who will be situated in the schoolhouse of the museum village in downtown Naperville, reading excerpts of Taylor’s memoirs. “It’ll be neat to get it out there.”

Civil War Days runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. The annual commemoration is one of a number of Civil War events happening in DuPage County this year as the nation observes the 150th anniversary of the start of the war.

While Taylor is an exciting new face at Civil War Days, some classic attractions throughout the weekend will be sure to delight visitors.

The highlight of each day is a narrated battle at 2:30 p.m. between Yankee and Rebel soldiers, complete with loud rifles and canons, said Colleen Stanek, museum educator at Naper Settlement.

“It was probably one of the most awful time periods in the history of the United States, when a country is divided, in fighting neighbor against neighbor, brother against brother,” Stanek said. “It’s not something that you ever want to see happen again and hopefully it’s a way for us to learn that you need to work out your differences.”

Between 350 and 400 re-enactors from throughout the Midwest are expected to show up for the weekend in their best Civil War attire. Stanek said all of the actors are extremely knowledgeable about the war and work hard to stay in character.

“Everything is authenticated,” she said. “They will have on period clothing down to the buttons.”

Famous characters to be found on the grounds will include the Lincoln family, Gen. Grant, Gen. Lee, Jefferson Davis, Stephen Douglas, Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth. However, the majority of actors will be taking on the role of a fighter, for either the South or the North.

“They portray the life of a soldier and so they’re in character all the time. You can go up to them and talk to them about what they’re doing in camp, how they make meals, how they pass the time,” Stanek said.

All children who visit are given character autograph sheets upon entering Civil War Days to encourage them to approach the re-enactors and get to know their stories.

“They’re all very willing to talk to the kids and get them interested in history and this particular event,” Stanek said.

The Battlefield Balladeers and 29th Regimental String Band will play period-appropriate music as visitors shop on Sutler’s Row for Civil War-era food and reproduction products, such as baskets or toys. A petting zoo and play area will be available for younger guests.

Dan Van Haften, co-author of “Abraham Lincoln and the Structure of Reason” will be on hand for a book signing in the Museum Store from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday.

The attractions are expected to draw between 4,000 and 4,500 people, Stanek said. She and Jordan agree there is a lot to be learned by people of all ages at Civil War Days, and that every attendee will leave understanding the era a little better.

“There is a blessing to be connected to your history,” Jordan said, speaking on her own experience of originally hating history, but growing to admire it. “There’s something important about it. It’s been a pretty recent revelation to me, so I can’t articulate it all that well, but I am a better person for being connected to history.”

Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for ages 4 to 17. Naperville Heritage Society members and season pass holders receive free admission.

Tickets bought in advance are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 4 to 17, and are available at Naper Settlement, Just Ducky, Anderson’s Bookshop, Oswald’s Pharmacy and Country Curtains.

If you go

What: Civil War Days

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22

Where: Naper Settlement, 523 S. Weber St., Naperville

Cost: $12 for adults, $8 for ages 4 to 17; discounts if bought in advance

Info: (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org