Anna, Ill., prepares for third annual Civil War Weekend

Anna, Ill. --

Even 150 years after the War between the States, events such as the Civil War Weekend in Anna find new ways to examine one of the most turbulent times in the nation's history.

The three-day event, Feb. 7 through 9, gives local history enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy exhibits, tours and speeches that describe the effect of the war on Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri.

Lee Hackney, director of the Anna Arts Center, said this is the center's third time hosting the event, which continues to grow every year.

"We have more exhibitors, more re-enactors, and that's kind of neat," she said. "We started with about 150 attendees and have grown to about 300. People are excited."

A photograph of Lt. Col. Munroe Carroll Crawford of Jonesboro, Ill. is among the Glen Bishop collection of photos of Southern Illinois Union soldiers on display at the Anna Arts Center's performing arts building, as seen Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014 in Anna, Ill. Crawford was a member of the 110th Illinois Volunteer Infantry from 1862-1863. (Fred Lynch)

Events begin Feb. 7 with the seventh annual Lincoln Legacy Civil War Banquet and Fundraiser, hosted by PAST of Union County. The event will be in the Union County Community Center in Anna, 400 S. Main St., and will feature guest speaker Frank Nickell, former Department of History chairman at Southeast Missouri State University and founder and director of the university's Center for Regional History. Reservations are $25 per person.

On Feb. 8, the festivities begin early with a full slate of guest speakers and a variety of exhibits on display at the arts center.

Those who wish to do more than look at exhibits have an opportunity to submit one of their own with the Civil War Exhibit Contest, sponsored by the Anna-Jonesboro Rotary Club. Hackney said participants may enter the contest individually, as a group or as a class; the categories are divided by school grades one through 12 and adults. Participants research and interpret a topic of their choice that pertains to the Civil War and submit their project for a chance to win a blue ribbon or merit award and a $10 or $15 cash prize.

In addition to the contest pieces, Mike Isom, owner of Kirkpatrick Pottery Museum in Anna, will display Civil War-era pieces at the arts center. The traveling exhibit "To Kill and to Heal," sponsored by the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition, also will feature weapons and medicines used during the war. All exhibits are free and open to the public.

This year, Hackney said, organizers made an effort to provide more activities for children as well.

Lee Hackney is director of the Anna Arts Center in Anna, Ill. (Fred Lynch)

"There will be games and crafts from that era for the kids. We're also having a scavenger hunt for kids of all ages where they can learn more about the Civil War," she said. "We're trying to make this event fun for the whole family."

The final Saturday event is "Patches and Squares," a play about the Southern Illinois home front during the Civil War. Part of the story looks at a soldiers' hospital that was south of Jonesboro, Ill., and reveals how churches and women's groups in the Anna-Jonesboro community pulled together to provide supplies and support.

"It's a really nice review of how the people and the soldiers were affected by the war," she said.

The events come to a close Feb. 9 with a one-hour bus tour of "Lincoln's Footsteps and Friends in Anna-Jonesboro," which includes the history of Lincoln's visit to Union County. After the tour, winners of the Civil War Exhibition Contest will be awarded and the final presentation of "Patches and Squares" will begin.

Hackney said she's looking forward to seeing more re-enactors and visitors from throughout the area at this year's event.

"I think the people definitely appreciate it and are interested in the history, not only in Southern Illinois, but also in Missouri," she said. "This part of the country was affected by the war, too."

Those who wish to participate in events, make reservations for the Lincoln Legacy Civil War Banquet or the historical bus tour, or to buy tickets for "Patches and Squares" may contact Hackney at 618-833-6525 or vabchlee@gmail.com.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

125 W. Davie St., Anna, Ill.

400 S. Main St., Anna, Ill.