EVENT: Third Annual Philadelphia United States Colored Troops Civil War Weekend

The Third Annual Philadelphia United States Colored Troops Civil War Weekend will be offered on Friday and Saturday, April 2-3, 2011. This is the sesquicentennial of America’s greatest conflict, the 3rd USCT invites all to come to share and learn the forgotten stories of the most tumultuous period of our nation’s history.The activities will be centered at Historic Fort Mifflin with events and related exhibits throughout the city.

This event is being sponsored by the 3rd Regiment USCT Civil War Re-enactors, Old Fort Mifflin Historical Society, and Fort Mifflin on the Delaware. The goal of the event is to tell the stories of the African Americans during the Civil War, their struggles to serve, for citizenship, for equal pay, for good equipment and freedom.  We will tell these stories through plays, exhibits, music, demonstrations, interactive programs, videos, films, lectures and living history reenactors.The Third Regiment was Co-host for the Grand Review celebration in Harrisburg on November 6th, 2010, drawing participants from 7 states. The regiment has also been placing 34 star flags at the graves of African American Civil War soldiers so people can remember where they are. This year will be especially busy with presentations and parades, because of the 150 year commemoration of the Civil War. The Association for the Study of African American History and Life has labeled the Civil War this years Historical theme.At Fort Mifflin, Dr. James Johnson of Rutgers University will talk about Camp William Penn Civil War Training Camp. Citizen’s for the Restoration of Historic La Mott (CRHOL) Exhibit, on Camp William Penn will be on display. There are three sites participating in the 150 year commemoration of the Civil War April 2nd Weekend:

• The Mutter Museum will be providing a exhibit at Fort Mifflin on Civil War Medicine.
• The African American Museum of Philadelphia at 7th and Arch Streets in Philadelphia, PA with its Audacious Freedom exhibit and the special memorial to Pvt. Peter Butcher, an African American Soldier who served in the 32nd USCT’s during the Civil War. Admission: $10
• Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library with a Robert F. Houston exhibit “On The Long Road To Freedom”. Located at 4278 Griscom Street in Philadelphia, PA 19124-3954. Admission: $5 . Open April 3, 2011 Only, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Fort Mifflin is located in Philadelphia Pennsylvania near the airport on Fort Mifflin Road. The Buildings date mostly to the Civil War era and were used during the war as a prisoner of war camp. USCT’s were not stationed here during the Civil War. At Fort Mifflin, the AAGG (African American Genealogical Group) will staff a find your Civil war connections station.

Fort Mifflin Admission: $6, Children under 12: $4

Schedule of Events 

Saturday April 2nd, Fort opens to public 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

10:00 am – School of the soldier, Fort Tours programs, plays and exhibits.

11:00 am – Voices of Freedom

1:30 pm –  Review of the Troops

2:15 pm – Dr. James Johnson  Camp William Penn

3:00 pm – Music of the Civil War era

4:00 pm – Viewing of the Movie “Glory” in the Bake Oven

6:00 pm – Fort Closes Taps  

April 3, Sunday Fort opens to the public 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

10:00 am –  School of the soldier, Fort Tours programs, plays and exhibits.

2:00 pm – Voices of Freedom

3:00 pm – Ladies of the Civil War

4:00 pm – Recover the Colors Taps