Step back in time-- Walker Tavern Historic Site's Civil War re-enactment May 12-13

Walker Tavern Historic Site in Brooklyn will host its 6th annual Civil War re-enactment weekend, May 12-13. This year's event, highlighting the Battle of Eltham's Landing, is presented by military and civilian re-enactors from across the state. Sponsored by the 5th Texas Company E, the USS Michigan Marine Guard and the Friends of Walker Tavern, it is open to the public on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. With a little imagination, the grounds of Walker Tavern will become New Kent County, Virginia, as the nation enters the second year of the American Civil War. The Battle of Eltham's Landing (May 7, 1862) will be presented both Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Visitors will also be treated to military drill and artillery demonstrations, children's games, a baking contest (and pie auction!), a quilt show, Confederate and Union camps, and shopping on Sutlers Row. Food vendors will be on site. Admission is $3 for adults; $1 for children 6 to 12; and free for children 5 and younger. Parking is free. Although Walker Tavern is opening for this special re-enactment weekend, the official season opening is Thursday, May 24. On Sunday morning, re-enactors led by the SOUV (Sons of Union Veterans) will march from the Walker Tavern site to St. Michael's All Angels Church for a graveside memorial service honoring the Civil War soldiers buried there. The ceremony, which is adapted from a 1917 headstone dedication, will start at 9 a.m. and last about 20 minutes. It is free and open to the public. Walker Tavern is located at the intersection of US-12 and M-50 in the Irish Hills. A former stagecoach stop on the main route between Detroit and Chicago, Walker Tavern is part of the Michigan Historical Museum System. It is administered by the Michigan Historical Center and the Parks and Recreation Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. For more information, call 517-467-4401 or visit www.michigan.gov /walkertavern. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan. gov/dnr Published: Thu, May 10, 2012