Pennypacker Mills - 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville, PA 19473
Web Site: www.montcopa.org/pennypackermills
Phone: 610-287-9349 | Email: PennypackerMills@montcopa.org
Welcome to Pennypacker Mills' Civil War Event website!
Planning Your Visit
Pennypacker Mills
2020 Civil War Event
Saturday, May 30th & Sunday, May 31st
(Yes, falls in MAY this year - always the weekend after Memorial Day)
Booming cannons, the cracking of gunfire, and the battle cries of soldiers resound across the battlefield at historic Pennypacker Mills on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, 2020 during the Civil War Event. Thousands of people flock to see the military encampments, the Civilian Street, and more.
Reenactment units and Civilian organizations are invited to participate in this once-a-year event that is the largest Civil War event in Montgomery County, PA. The bucolic farm of Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker is the perfect location to an encampment demonstrating both military and civilian life in the 1860’s.
This event has something for everyone! Adults and children can engage in a variety of activities and demonstrations that will make the 1860’s come alive.
Battle: An exciting battle occurs each afternoon between the Union and Confederate armies. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a truly American experience as the Civil War comes to Pennypacker Mills.
Artillery Demonstration: See an artillery demonstration focusing on the equipment, strategy used on the battlefield, ammunition, and finally a multi-cannon blast that gives spectators a real sense of the sights and sounds of battle.
Military Encampments: Walk through the encampments and speak with reenactors about camp life, how food was made, uniforms and equipment, and more!
Special Speaker:On Saturday, hear historical reenactor and lecturer Michael Jesberger discuss the saga and loss of the H.L. Hunley, the world’s first successful attack submarine in this Powerpoint presentation in the Classroom Building.
Musical Performances: Around the mansion, the music of the Fort Delaware Coronet Brass Band will perform during the day on Saturday while musician and performer Matthew Dodd will entertain everyone on Sunday with songs and stories of the Civil War.
Be a Soldier Kid Enlistment: Families flock to this program as boys and girls of all ages are welcome to enlist as Union soldiers and sign enlistment papers, take the Oath of Allegiance, and learn to march and drill with wooden guns with one of our Union military units.
Civilian Street Demonstrations: See how civilians lived through the 1860’s with demonstrations of cooking, sewing, fashions, and more.
Mansion Tours & Exhibits:Inside the Pennypacker mansion, take a tour of this historic home of Pennsylvania Governor and Civil War veteran Samuel W. Pennypacker, including exhibits on his service during the war and those of his many relatives who served.
Sutler Row: Visit these itinerant businesses selling Civil War era reproduction clothing, both civilian and military, equipment and souvenirs.
Especially for Reenactors: We encourage those reenactment units who have attended our event in previous years to share their enthusiasm for this event and historic site. We welcome new military and civilian units to our event and are always looking for new demonstrations and programs that we can offer to our visitors. Participants may park near their tents to drop off tents and equipment, then park in Reenactor Parking across the street.
We gratefully supply the following for free: Bottled water;
Straw for bedding; Firewood; and Cake on the porch Saturday night as our thank you;
Units, organizations and sutlers may set up Thursday or Friday before the event, if they wish. Pennypacker Mills staff will register & check in participants on Friday afternoon from 2:30 pm to 9 pm and on Saturday morning from 7 am to 9 am.
Plan to register your unit and experience a special weekend focusing on the Civil War and life in the 1860’s. Please contact us at 610-287-9349 or email us at PennypackerMills@montcopa.org should you have any questions.