[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 142 (Wednesday, November 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIVIL WAR REVISITED

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2014

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 25th 
anniversary of the Fresno Historical Society's Civil War Revisited 
celebration, taking place on October 18-19, 2014.
  On September 29-30, 1990, more than 10,000 visitors in Fresno's 
Kearney Park were able to travel back in time to witness four battles 
between Union and confederate soldiers that originally took place in 
1864 near Atlanta, Georgia. Three hundred volunteers from throughout 
California were sponsored by the Civil War Reenactment Society to 
assemble and act in authentic Civil War battles complete with cannon 
volleys, musket fire, rebel yells, costumes, and charging horses.
  These volunteers were educated in depth about the lives of the 
characters they portray, leaving visitors with a broader view of the 
times and lives of people during the time period. Such authenticity 
allowed the audience, and over 4,000 students to learn firsthand, vivid 
history lessons from conversations with soldiers in the 1864 setting.
  Over the 25 years of its existence, Civil War Revisited has grown to 
be one of the largest civil war reenactments in the Western United 
States. So much so, that it is often referred to as ``an American 
history class for thousands.''
  In 2001, the event expanded by adding a school day program called 
``Time Travelers at the Civil War.'' This program allows students to 
interact with historical figures such as President Lincoln, Clara 
Barton, Walt Whitman and Harriet Tubman. Additionally, they are able to 
speak with military re-enactors to learn about life as a part of the 
war effort, but they are also able to speak to blacksmiths and 
dressmakers in order to get a glimpse into day to day life in the era.
  A unique component of the school day program is a play, featuring a 
cast of students who bring the voices of children of the Civil War 
period to life, known as Readers' heater. Students often rehearse at 
school leading up to a performance during the Civil War reenactment. To 
date, the Time Travelers program has hosted 22,000 students from 
throughout the San Joaquin Valley since its establishment. This allows 
students to learn about history using a more interactive, unique 
perspective, as opposed to solely reading about the period in textbooks 
or watching videos.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
outstanding accomplishments of the Fresno Historical Society in its 25 
years of excellence in accurately reenacting such an important point in 
American history.

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