History revisited at Graue Mill

Don't be surprised if the men portraying soldiers at Graue Mill and Museum in Oak Brook this weekend never break character.

They are, in fact, pretty hard core.

To prove it, the men and women who will re-enact a Civil War encampment will literally camp out overnight at the historical site in Oak Brook.

"It's part of the experience," said Bob Winter of Lombard, who will portray the colonel in the 10th Illinois Regiment. "There have been re-enactments at other locations where we've marched four miles with all the food on our backs and then camped out. We want to show people that the equipment they had worked very well."

On Saturday and Sunday, approximately 25 Civil War buffs will re-create the Union military camp of the 10th Illinois Regiment in 1863. Visitors will see them don authentic clothing, use weapons and tools from the era, perform black powder firing demonstrations and drills, and even cook and craft.

This event has come to Graue Mill for more than 20 years. It's where Winter discovered his passion for re-enacting the Civil War 18 years ago. He says the encampment at Graue Mill is always special because its history.

"The mill itself is just such a perfect setting," Winter said. "To do it on an actual historic site, an underground railroad site, it really makes the whole fight come alive."

Graue Mill Director Sandra Brubaker said the event has remained popular for decades because new crops of students discover their interest in the Civil War each year.

"As students grow up, their families bring them here," she said.

And if visitors need a break from roughing it in the camp site, they can head inside the museum, which houses Civil War artifacts like ammunition, an artillery shell and the drum used by early settler Morrell Fuller when he drummed for troops at battles.

Winter said learning about the history of the Civil War - and keeping that history alive - honors American troops through the ages.

"We do this to honor the men that fought in that war and every other war, so that people don't forget what they did for our country," he said.

Civil War Encampment: 10th Illinois Regiment

When: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: Graue Mill and Museum, 3800 York Road, Oak Brook

Cost: $3.50; $3 for seniors; $1.50 for children

Details: (630) 655-2090 or www.grauemill.org