Re-enactors bring Civil War to life in Vernon Hills

Seventh-graders at Hawthorn Middle School North abandoned their electronic devices and took a step back in history for a day.

Thursday was the Vernon Hills school's seventh annual Civil War Re-enactment Day, which featured re-enactors from Illinois and Indiana who presented a living history of the war.

"It's a very, very exciting time. The kids are stoked about it," said Hawthorn Middle School teacher Erin Roche, who coordinated the in-school field trip.

Students broke into small groups to hear from speakers who portrayed Mary Todd Lincoln and her husband, President Abraham Lincoln.

Other small group sessions consisted of a weapons demonstration, children's games from the era and a mock surgery to name a few.

The percussion from a cannon's boom echoed off the brick walls of the school as the day was capped off by an infantry and artillery demonstration outside - no live ammunition, of course.

To find out more about events at Hawthorn Middle School North visit http://msn.hawthorn73.org/