Civil War Days in Naperville shows history's ripple effects

His signature beard and top hat may be from another era, but 150 years after his death, Abraham Lincoln remains in style.

The 16th president, who led our country through the Civil War, had a message - and a life story - ­that still resonates today, says Max Daniels.

And Daniels ought to know. He spends much of his time portraying Lincoln at living history events, including the upcoming Civil War Days set for Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville.

"To me, he is a very good example of what opportunities America offers," Daniels said. "From his background, you would have never expected him to develop into the president of the United States. He was born into poverty, his father was a struggling, illiterate farmer, and mother could also barely read. In any other society, there would never have been any other path for him. But in America, we give you the opportunity if you want it."

Daniels adds that Civil War Days is a chance for residents to learn up-close about what divided our nation in the 1860s - and decide whether the effects are still rippling in some of the protests happening across America now.

"I think of the Civil War as America's teenage years," Daniels said. "We almost committed suicide as a nation because of the hard line people took over slavery … and it wasn't a sudden storm. America saw this on the horizon decade after decade. Even while Lincoln was making his inaugural address, there were people trying to divide the nation.

"If nothing else, the four years of the Civil War should have taught us that, although we can have differences of opinion, sometimes strong, we don't have to resort to violence," Daniels added.

Civil War Days will feature actors like Daniels and his wife, Donna, who portrays Mary Todd Lincoln, in full character and regalia of the 1860s.

During the weekend, Naper Settlement is transformed into a Civil War encampment where visitors can meet other famous figures of the past, as well as everyday military men and their families, learning how they lived during this turbulent time period in our nation's history.

Hundreds of re-enactors participate, staging a battle complete with firing cannons and marching infantry.

The event has been a tradition at Naper Settlement for more than 25 years and also features food, activities, and shopping on "Sutler's Row" for traditional Civil War-era reproduction products.

Donna Daniels said she was drawn to events like Civil War Days after realizing it was a vibrant alternative to a classroom.

"Max and I both remember when we were in school, trying to learn history, which consisted of learning lists of dates and places and old dead people who had no relevance to me," she said.

"This teaches in a more engaging way. A student can read that a soldier's life was hard and they didn't have much to eat. But that doesn't really make the impression as when they see a person sleeping on straw, or how loud a single cannon is, or how heavy a musket is and how difficult it is to load," she said. "This makes history real, not just words in a book."

Both Max and Donna Daniels learned this is especially true when the couple recently received a card from a friend in the mail. Inside the card was a picture of the woman's young son and Max, dressed as Lincoln, snapped during a re-enactment event like Civil War Days.

Inside the card, the woman wrote: "I wonder how many have grown up loving Lincoln and history because they met him through you?"

If you go

What: Civil War Days

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17; battles at 2:30 p.m. daily

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

Cost: $15; $10 for ages 4 to 12

Info: napersettlement.org