Fort Abercrombie, N.D. – “Living History Weekend” returns to Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site near Fargo July 27 and 28. “From Prisoner to Prairie: The Life of ‘Galvanized Yankees’ at Fort Abercrombie” is a free public event that will walk visitors and reenactors through the wartime experience of the Company A, 1st U.S. Volunteer Infantry Regiment, also known as the “Galvanized Yankees.”

Over the course of the weekend, the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Company D reenactment unit will complete military drills and presentations on the fort grounds. Discover the daily lives and experiences of the officers, soldiers, cooks, laundresses, and sutlers who resided at Fort Abercrombie in 1864 and 1865.

Schedule of Events:

Saturday, July 27, 2024:

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Blacksmithing demonstrations by Alan Quade, Civil War sewing demonstrations by Carrie Newman, and authors expo featuring Candace Simar and NDSU Press.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wet-plate collodion photography demonstrations by Kary Janousek.

10 a.m. “Taking the Oath.” Experience a vignette into life at Point Lookout Prison Camp, Maryland, as Confederate prisoners of war take the oath of allegiance to the United States.

1:30 p.m. “Give Them the Blue Suit.” Learn about the logistics of supplying the Galvanized Yankees as they traded their Confederate gray uniforms for the Union blue.

3 p.m. Company Drill. Watch the infantry demonstrate Civil War maneuvers and drill on the parade ground.

Sunday, July 28, 2024:

10 a.m. “History of the Galvanized Yankees.” Hear the full story of these ex-Confederates and the odyssey from Maryland and Virginia to Dakota Territory.

12 Noon. Closing Event Drills.

Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site, managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota, is located at 935 Broadway North, Abercrombie. Summer hours are daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with guided tours available until 4 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $3 for youth. For more information or to arrange a group tour, contact Site Supervisor Lenny Krueger, 701.553.8513. Find additional upcoming educational programs sponsored by the State Historical Society at www.history.nd.gov/events or call 701.328.2666.