On the heels of an emotional September 11 anniversary, Bowling Green will commemorate the 150th Anniversary of “when the War came to town” this Saturday with community-wide Civil War Sesquicentennial activities. Local attractions and organizations have teamed up to present a variety of free events including reenactments, special tours, exhibits, speakers, a living history village, children’s activities and more in honor of the War’s effect on our region.

The day begins at the Historic Railpark & Train Museum with an 8 a.m. reenactment of Gen. Buckner’s Confederate invasion. Other participating locations include Riverview at Hobson Grove, the Kentucky Museum, and Lost River Cave (charge for exclusive smoke-writing tours.) Additional tours include a free architectural tour of downtown Bowling Green and then later in the evening, Fountain Square Players will present a ticketed “Spirits of the Civil War” walking tour.

An Unknown Soldier Memorial Service will follow on Sunday at Fairview Cemetery at 2 p.m.

At 8 am, September 16, 1861, 5000 Confederate troops disembarked in Bowling Green, KY, from the 10 locomotives and 200 box cars confiscated in Nashville, TN by General Simon Bolivar Buckner.  The town of 3000 people found themselves suddenly thrown into the burgeoning conflict and the center of Kentucky’s Confederate Government.

Join us on Saturday, September 17, 2011 as Bowling Green commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the Confederate invasion on our town in 1861.

The following events will take place September 17, 2011:

The Kentucky Museum

In addition to touring the ‘A Star in Each Flag: Conflict in Kentucky’ Civil War exhibit, visitors will delight in learning simple Civil War dances and visiting with President & Mrs. Lincoln.  Activities for children include a scavenger hunt and Civil War writing. Families will enjoy visiting the photographer’s studio and dressing in period clothing.  At the exhibit, visitors may walk through a simulated campsite, view a slave cabin, step into a community post office, and examine period artifacts including John Hunt Morgan’s saddle, various medical instruments, Civil War flags, weapons and more. 

The Historic Railpark & Train Museum

Beginning at 8 am to commemorate the Confederate invasion, local and state officials and area residents will gather for a reenactment and the official opening of the museum exhibit ‘The Civil War and the Railroad.’  Following the exhibit opening, a local Civil War expert will present “The Confederate Invasion of Bowling Green.”  Guests can then enjoy a Civil War Living History exhibit on the grounds with craftsman exhibiting period skills such as blacksmithing, weaving/spinning, chair bottom weaving, woodcarving, tinsmithing, basketmaking.

Riverview at Hobson Grove

The morning’s re-enactors will march from the L&N Depot to Riverview at Hobson Grove where they will conduct military demonstrations.  Inside the historic house will be interpreters demonstrating the woman’s perspective and docents explaining Riverview’s role as munitions storage.  A special presentation, “The Rise and Fall of a Confederate State Capital” will be given at 11 a.m. In addition, view a special Juried Fine Art Exhibition featuring works inspired by the Victorian time period of 1840-1890. 

Lost River Cave & Valley

For the first time, two wild caving trips will venture into the rarely seen upper passage ways to view the Civil War soldier smoke writing.  These Smoke Writing Tours will be offered at 10 am and 2 pm only. Special presentations including costumed diary readings and researched details will be shared on the tour.  Tickets for this tour will be sold first come, first serve at a cost of $25.00 per ticket, no discounts apply. 

Downtown Walking Tours

Enjoy a self-guided architectural tour of Bowling Green’s Civil War buildings with costumed interpreters at most locations to share some history and lore.  Tour begins at The Presbyterian Church at 1003 State Street and is available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Maps of locations will be available at The Presbyterian Church.

Spirits of the Civil War Ghost Tour

Participate in a Civil War Ghost Tour in downtown Bowling Green!  Hear tales from four of Bowling Green’s Civil War ‘spirits’ on this tour presented by local theater troupe, Fountain Square Players.  Choose from four different departure times beginning at 6 p.m., but space is limited.  Tours depart from the Historic Railpark & Train Museum and last approximately 2 hours.