History will come to life in Botetourt County this weekend as Buchanan hosts its annual Civil War Weekend from April 24-26 at Buchanan Town Park.
The three-day event will feature living history encampments, demonstrations, guided tours and battle reenactments. All activities are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Festivities begin Friday with registration opening at 10 a.m., alongside the Botetourt Artillery Camp and living history displays. Throughout the day, visitors can attend demonstrations and discussions on topics including Civil War-era children’s toys, uniforms and weapons, cannon safety and firing techniques, and period “snake oil” sales presentations.
Friday evening will conclude with an artillery cannon firing demonstration at 7 p.m. in the town park.
Saturday’s schedule offers a full day of programming. Activities begin at 9:30 a.m. with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Botetourt Artillery Monument on Main Street. Living history camps and additional demonstrations open at 10 a.m., including a field hospital display and exhibits highlighting civilian life during the war.
Guided walking tours of Buchanan will be held at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., tracing the town’s Civil War history from the Community House to the Swinging Bridge. A street skirmish is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., followed by a historical presentation portraying Jefferson Davis at 2 p.m.
The highlight of the day, the Battle of Buchanan re-enactment, will take place at 4 p.m. in the Town Park. Evening activities include a bonfire and camp dance at 8 p.m., featuring live entertainment.
Events continue Sunday with camps reopening at 10 a.m. and a church service held at the large picnic pavilion. Additional demonstrations and a second portrayal of Jefferson Davis are scheduled throughout the day, leading up to the weekend’s final Battle of Buchanan re-enactment at 1:30 p.m.
Organizers encourage attendees to arrive early and note that all vehicles must be removed from designated battlefield areas prior to scheduled re-enactments.
Civil War Weekend aims to provide an educational and immersive experience for visitors of all ages, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of soldiers and civilians during one of the nation’s most defining periods.
Civil War Weekend Schedule:
Friday, April 24
- 10 a.m. — Registration opens; Botetourt Artillery Camp & living history display open
- 10 a.m. — Demonstrations and discussions: Children’s toys of the Civil War (Paula Meadows), Civil War uniforms and weapons (John Dorsch), cannon safety and firing techniques (Botetourt Artillery), “snake oil” sales presentation (Jefferson Davis portrayal)
- 7 p.m. — Artillery cannon firing demonstration at Town Park
Saturday, April 25
- 9 a.m. — All vehicles removed from battlefield
- 9:30 a.m. — Wreath laying at Botetourt Artillery Monument (19559 Main Street)
- 10 a.m. — Camps open
- 10:30 a.m. — Demonstrations and displays open: Field hospital display (Surgeon Major Snyder), Jubilee House display (Paula Meadows), Civil War uniforms and weapons (John Dorsch)
- 11 a.m. — Walking history tour (Community House to Swinging Bridge)
- 12:30–1:30 p.m. — Street skirmish
- 2 p.m. — Jefferson Davis presentation (Sam Winkler)
- 2:30 p.m. — Walking history tour (second offering)
- 4 p.m. — Battle of Buchanan re-enactment
- 8 p.m. — Bonfire and camp dance with live music
Sunday, April 26
- 9 a.m. — All vehicles removed from battlefield
- 10 a.m. — Camps open
- 10 a.m. — Church service at large picnic pavilion
- 10:30 a.m. — Civil War uniforms and weapons demo (John Dorsch)
- 1 p.m. — Jefferson Davis presentation (Sam Winkler)
- 1:30 p.m. — Battle of Buchanan re-enactment
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
