Grit and Duds: A Civil War Tour
From April of 1861 until April of 1865, America was embattled in a division of the states over slavery issues, North versus South. After the fighting was over, some soldiers, sailors, and widows who were weary from battle, chose Nebraska Territory to start again and forge a new life. Nebraska officially achieved statehood two years following the end of the Civil War in 1867. Some people who fought on both sides of the Civil War, found themselves neighbors in our community just years later.
This years tour pays tribute to that time when brother fought brother, wives became widows, and mothers became single parents. The living history presentations (each lasting approximately 15 minutes) will tell short stories of nine (9) former citizens in our community who lived or were personally touched by the North versus South fight. The stories will be at different points during, after, and reminiscing about that period of American history known as the American Civil War.
Our actors volunteer their time to present these vignettes of history each year and we thank them heartily. This years actors include:
- Case Axthelm portraying Edward Dick
- David Breaker portraying Luther Farrington
- Michael Davis portraying Reverend Ranna Moore
- Bill Kackmeister portraying Major Leicester Walker
- John Kalisch portraying Alonzo Church
- Suzanne Knolles portraying Rohanna Klein
- Andrew D. Lee portraying Anthony Ries
- Teresa Smith portraying Julia Casey
- Morris Turner portraying Cyrus Fox
Also this year we are welcoming, the City Municipal Band under the direction of Lori Evans. The band will have two performances opening the beginning of each tour with Civil War era music to help set the mood:
- 6:30 – 7:00 pm Friday Evening
- 1:00 – 1:30 pm Saturday Afternoon
Friday, September 20, 2019
6:30 pm Live Civil War Music
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Guided Lantern Tour
featuring Living History Presentations of Civil War Ghosts by local actors
*Last tour starts at 8:15 pm – this is guided, nobody will start after 8:15 pm
Saturday, September 21, 2019
7:30 am – 10:00 am Museum Pancake Feed (included in tour ticket, also available separately)
1:00 pm Live Civil War Music
Rifle Fire Demonstrations every 1/2 hour
1:30 pm – 6:00 pm Civil War Walking Tour – self guided and self-paced
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Indoor Presentation Session 1 – Ask at purchase for availability
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Indoor Presentation Session 2 – Ask at purchase for availability
*Last tour starts at 4:15 pm to see all actors – we estimate the tour to take 2 hours
Ticket Information
Ticket Pricing (In Advance and at the Gate)
Adults (ages 16 & up): $20.00
Students (ages 6 to 15): $10.00
Children (5 & under): FREE
Cost of ticket includes admission into ALL events above on BOTH days!
Additional Information and Non-Walking Tour
Indoor/Non-Walking tickets are available for Saturday, September 21st for presentations to begin at either 1:30 pm or 4:00 pm. Seating is limited to 70 per show.
How to Purchase Tickets
To purchase tickets and reserve seats or for more information please call or visit the North Platte Public Library at 308-535-8036 or the Lincoln County Historical Museum at 308-534-5640. Please make checks out to: NPPL Foundation, credit cards accepted at the Lincoln County Historical Museum. Good cash or check accepted at either location and the gate.
All events will be held at:
Lincoln County Historical Museum
2403 N Buffalo Bill Ave
North Platte NE
This is a rain or shine event. Feel free to bring your own chair to enjoy the presentations, limited seating will be available at each stop. You may also bring a flashlight to the guided tour Friday evening. Our guides will be using LED lanterns.
Proceeds from this event benefits the North Platte Public Library Foundation and the Lincoln County Historical Museum.
