Civil War Camp Cooking Tour, June 30, 2018

Chicago Foodways Roundtable

A Learning Tour:
Civil War Camp Cooking Tour

Camp Cooking Tour meets at the information tent at 11:30 am.
All day event from 10 am until 5 pm
Saturday, June 30th, 2018

Event cost: $10. adults, $5 for children (4-17) and Senior Citizens (62+), and
Weekend pass: $15 (Saturday and Sunday)
One dollar discount by purchasing online or print a coupon:
Lakewood Forest Preserve
27277 N. Forest Preserve Road - Wauconda, IL 60084
More information here


Hear the crack of gunfire and the boom of cannons at the Lake County Forest Preserves’ 25th annual Civil War Days. Visitors of all ages are invited to explore the military and civilian camps to learn about life in the 1860s. Visitors can meet historical figures including Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, General Grant and more. Kids will enjoy special period crafts and games, and complete a scavenger hunt around the site. Visitors can also experience a recreation of the 1863 Agricultural Fair, which features public amusements and horticultural and domestic arts exhibitions.

View large-scale battles on both Saturday and Sunday to see artillery, infantry, cavalry and medical units in action. A large Civil War era shopping area, period music, and food vendors round out the event

Of special interest to us is their Camp Cooking Contest. Reenactors enter the contest and visitors take a tour of all the camps which entered to judge on the accuracy of their camp cooking interpretation. These are the guidelines the reenactors are given:

CAMP COOKING CONTEST
This contest is designed not just to test the culinary skills of the reenactors, but to emphasize authenticity. Each camp wishing to participate should register at the event. Materials for cooking will not be provided. Each camp will be responsible for their menu and should bring whatever material they deem correct to their impression. Emphasis will be placed on the accuracy of the meal to the overall camp impression.

The judges will visit each camp to learn about the camp impression. They will take notes on such aspects of the meal as how the food was obtained, what implements are used in the preparation, what the camp is representing and the consistency of the meal to that impression. Each camp should be able to explain what their impression represents, where they are camped, and any other information requested consistent with your impression.

Our goal is to provide the public with another aspect of life during the Civil War. We take for granted the ability to walk into a grocery store and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables regardless of season. This was not how life was lived 150 years ago. When preparing your meal please consider what would reasonably be available to your camp. Our desire is to help educate the public on everyday life and would appreciate your help with this project.

So, there will be a guide that leads interested members of the public on the judging tour, and you are all the judges. This takes place on the Saturday of the event. You will get a program when you enter the event with a schedule and map. The Camp Cooking Tour meets at the information tent at 11:30.

No registration is necessary, since this is open to the public. However it will be wonderful to know whom to look out for. Please e-mail: [email protected].

The temps are going to be hot, but there are shade trees, food vendors (ice cream!), and a cooling station (archives building). The event is going ahead as planned!

Hi,

Just learned Civil War Days in Wauconda are cancelled for 2019.

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Just learned Civil War Days in Wauconda are cancelled for 2019.

That's a pity. We looking forward to it this year. Hope it's not gone for good.

Hi,

What must have been quite a surprise to the Lake County Forest Preserve Commissioner, you cannot cancel an event on your own.

Civil War Days are back on, I will post information soon.

Regards,
Cathy2

For anybody who didn't find on their own, a newspaper story about the cancellation and POSSIBLE uncancellation.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/ ... story.html

I wonder if there would be interest in a revolutionary war re-enactment? Which might be possible to avoid racism issues to the extent it is more of a political issue?

Note that Naper Settlement had (has) a similar event in mid-May, I suspect much smaller (at least as far as potential battle re-enactments) as that area is only 12 acres, and eyballing from google maps, even if they overflow into the adjacent park, wouldn't be much more than double that.

http://www.napersettlement.org/233/Civil-War-Days

The information page is back up.

July 13 & 14
The boom of cannons, the crack of rifles, the galloping of horse hooves welcomes you at the annual Civil War Days encampment. Wander the camps to see soldiers, civilians and tradesmen at work. Watch as union and confederate forces collide in battle. A large-scale battle can be viewed on both Saturday and Sunday. Visit the 1863 Summer Fair, meet President Lincoln and shop Civil War–era vendors. Kids enjoy period crafts, games and a scavenger hunt.

Check back for the full weekend schedule.

Event Admission
Tickets may be purchased online or on-site. Purchase tickets online and save $1 on admission.
Daily: $10 adults, $5 youth (ages 4–17) and seniors (62 and up). Children 3 and under are free.

Save $1 off admission when you buy your ticket online, or download a coupon and present it at the event.

Weekend pass: $15, $7 youth and seniors. Purchase weekend pass »
Saturday, 10 am–5 pm. Purchase tickets for Saturday only »
Sunday 9 am–3 pm. Purchase tickets for Sunday only »

Event Location
Civil War Days is held at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda.

Driving directions »

Please note: No dogs are allowed at the event, with the exception of service animals.

Bummer -- glad it's back on, but on those dates, I'll be talking about corn at Lincoln's New Salem. (Though I appreciate the irony of missing the Civil War because I'm hanging out with Lincoln.)

Seems that it is cancelled again?

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/c ... 79701.html

I'd be curious to know what "safety concerns" have led to its being cancelled again.

Cynthia wrote:I'd be curious to know what "safety concerns" have led to its being cancelled again.

They were getting threats as well as groups who wished to come en masse to provide their support on both sides of the coin. This was all set off by the new Forest Preserve President who unilaterally cancelled an annual program of 27 years standing.

Meanwhile, I am organizing a program with the guy who has been guiding the camp cooks tour for years. Frankly when it is hot and humid, I will be thrilled for an armchair program instead of sweating myself silly.

Regards,
Cathy2

Cathy2 wrote: Frankly when it is hot and humid, I will be thrilled for an armchair program instead of sweating myself silly.

Yeah, but we won't get to eat rat (I presume)..... Any time appropriate recipes for "mature duck" which might correspond to the older wild ones they could more likely have caught in the field? Or will the presentation be on what the people back home ate during the time period?

diversedancer wrote:Yeah, but we won't get to eat rat . . .

No big deal - tastes like squirrel.

=R=