[Archived] Fort Ward Museum Hosts Artillery Day October 29

Live Firing, Civil War Reenactors Highlight Program

Learn about army life for Union artillerymen stationed in the Defenses of Washington at Fort Ward Museum’s living history program, “Civil War Artillery with the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery.” This free event will be held on Saturday, October 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program is weather dependent.

The reenactors of the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery portray the duties and soldier life of a regiment that was stationed at Fort Ward during the Civil War. Featured activities include an artillery equipment display, camp life scenarios and cannon firing demonstrations featuring a 3-inch ordnance rifle and a 24-pound Coehorn mortar.

Visitors can also view original artillery equipment, ammunition and personal gear worn by Union artillerymen in the Museum exhibit, “Artillerymen in the Defenses of Washington.”

Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site is located at 4301 West Braddock Road in Alexandria. It was the fifth largest installation within the extensive network of forts known as the Defenses of Washington, which was built to protect the Federal capital during the Civil War.

For more information, please call Fort Ward Museum at 703.746.4848 or visit www.fortward.org.