HISTORY COMES ALIVE DURING REENACTMENT SEASON AT FLORIDA'S STATE PARKS

For immediate release: February 9, 2009 Contact:  Jessica Kemper, (850) 245-3029, (850) 251-0834 (cell) Amy Graham, (850) 245-2112, (850) 778-7258   HISTORY COMES ALIVE DURING REENACTMENT SEASON AT fLORIDA'S sTATE pARKS ~State parks host historic reenactments and living history demonstrations in February and March~   Tallahassee – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Florida Park Service will host a number of historic reenactments and living history demonstrations throughout February and March. Visitors are invited to experience the past by attending reenactments of Florida's Civil War battles, Seminole battle skirmishes, cavalry demonstrations, artillery shows and medical treatment demonstrations.   "Floridians and visitors alike can learn about Florida's unique history and culture by visiting a state park," said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. "Witnessing demonstrations and reenactments is a great way to get outdoors and learn about the state's natural and cultural resources."   Living history events present a live representation of past events or periods, including folk life demonstrations, pioneer skills demonstrations, military encampments, weapons firing and battle reenactments. The Florida Park Service manages more than 2,000 historic and archaeological resources within state parks, including seven National Historic Landmarks.   Upcoming reenactment events include:   Fort Foster Living History and Period Rendezvous Fort Foster State Historic Site at Hillsborough River State Park Thursday, February 12 – Sunday, February 15, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fort Foster State Historic Site's annual event features military, Seminole and civilian reenactors, sutlers who peddled provisions to the soldiers, traders and craft demonstrations. Thursday and Friday are school days with admission at $2.00 per student and free for teachers and chaperones. Seminole battle skirmishes will take place on Saturday and Sunday. The public can attend any of the four days for $5.00 general admission or free for children 12 and under. For school registration or more information, call (813) 987-6771.   145th Anniversary Reenactment of the Battle of Olustee Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park Friday, February 13 – Sunday, February 15, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. More than 2,000 living history reenactors will gather to present historically accurate portrayals of Florida's largest Civil War battle, including medical demonstrations, period music concerts, military camps, drills and portrayals of the lives of both soldiers and civilians. The 145th anniversary reenactment is sponsored by the Florida Park Service, the Olustee Battlefield Citizen Support Organization, the U.S. Forest Service and the Blue-Grey Army, Inc.  School groups are welcome with registration. Admission on Friday is $2.00 per person, Saturday and Sunday is $7.00 for adults and $3.00 for children, pre-school aged children are free. Food concessions will be available. For more information, call (386) 397-7005.   Civil War Heritage Days Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Friday, February 13 – Sunday, February 15, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A Civil War reenactment depicting the years 1861-1862, will feature living history encampments, land and sea battles, a skirmish between Union and Confederate soldiers and the trial of a blockade runner ship's captain. Admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children, and free for children 12 and under. For more information, call (305) 292-6713.   First Weekend Union Garrisons Fort Clinch State Park Saturday, March 7, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Sunday, March 8, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Living historians recreate life at Fort Clinch during the Civil War. Activities include artillery demonstrations, medical demonstrations and soldier drills. Soldiers and civilians also take up duty in the laundry, infirmary, kitchen, barracks, quartermaster and carpenter shop. Regular park admission fees apply with $2.00 for entrance into the fort. For more information, call (904) 277-7274.   32nd Annual Reenactment of the Battle of Natural Bridge Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park Saturday, March 7 – Sunday, March 8, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Reenactment of the Battle of Natural Bridge commemorates the 1865 Civil War confrontation that preserved Tallahassee as the only Confederate capital east of the Mississippi River to avoid Union control. On Saturday, civil war reenactors will present a Confederate-Union skirmish, cavalry demonstrations, artillery shows and medical treatment demonstrations. The official Opening Ceremonies and Dedication, sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, will begin Sunday at 1:45 p.m., followed by a full-scale reenactment of the Battle of Natural Bridge at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free and donations are accepted. For more information, call (850) 922-7007.   49th Annual Spring Open House Gamble Plantation Historic State Park Sunday, March 8, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This authentic Civil War encampment will feature music, food, free tours of the Mansion and Patten House, live Civil War era weapons, period costumes, uniforms and civil war field equipment, as well as early craft demonstrations. Sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Judah P. Benjamin Chapter, this event is free to the public. For more information, call (941) 723-4536.   For more information on Florida State Parks, visit www.floridastateparks.org.