News

Witness the Battle of Kennesaw This April

February 17, 2006

KENNESAW, Ga. – Smell the smoky gun powder and hear the thunder of the cannons as Union and Confederate soldiers rise again to battle for control of Kennesaw April 22 – 23.

After nearly 20 years, the Big Shanty Festival is bringing back its popular, large-scale re-enactment, the Battle of Kennesaw. The battle will be held at the Swift Cantrell Park in Kennesaw, part of the original site of the 1864 battle.  

Organized by the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, the re-enactment will allow onlookers to take part in the action instead of just watching from the sidelines.

“Everyone will get to participate in the fun!” said Jennifer Legates, Director of Education and Public Programs at the Southern Museum. “They can visit military camps, ride a two-horse wagon over the battlefield, tour living history demonstrations, shop the period Sutlers’ tents, and listen to good, old fashioned Civil War music.”

Battle re-enactments are scheduled for 2 pm each day and will include the 35th Tennessee Infantry, 28th Alabama Infantry, Cleburne’s Division, The Alabama Division of Re-enactors, Inc., the Army of Tennessee, Stephens Light Artillery & the 125th Ohio Volunteer Infantry along with many other Civil War re-enactors.

The event is sponsored in conjunction with the Big Shanty Festival by the Southern Museum, the Kennesaw Business Association, City of Kennesaw Parks and Recreation, and the Kennesaw Museum Foundation. Admission is  $5 ages 12 and up, $3 for children ages four to twelve, and free for children three and under. Tickets go on sale March 1 and can be purchased in advance at the Southern Museum and the Kennesaw Community Center, or at Swift Cantrell Park the weekend of the event.

Re-enactors who want to participate should register now by visiting here: http://www.southernmuseum.org/ken_battle_reenactors.html or by calling the Southern Museum at (770) 427-2117, ext. 106.

A Smithsonian Institution affiliate, the Southern Museum features collections of rare Civil War weapons, uniforms, and other personal items; an exciting exhibit about The Great Locomotive Chase, including a short movie; a full-scale replica of a locomotive factory that helped rebuild the South after the war; and through May, a traveling exhibit featuring photographs of the people who dedicated their lives to the railroad.

The Southern Museum is located 20 miles north of Atlanta, off I-75 at exit 273.  Click here for visitor information, or call (770) 427-2117.