Museum offers Civil War program

Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tanis Monday, director of the Putnam County Museum, shows off the regiment flag, which is part of the Civil War learning series for children.

GREENCASTLE -- The Putnam County Museum is conducting two programs related to its "Putnam County and the Civil War" exhibit designed specifically for children.

Molly Rudnick, a senior at DePauw University, will be conducting the series dedicated to teaching children about the Civil War era in an interactive environment.

The first program, "Leading the Soldiers," will be from 11 a.m. to noon April 3 and devoted to the front of the line including what importance both flags and drums played in the lives of the soldiers.

After a brief introduction on regiment flags and drummers, children will get the opportunity to design their own flags and make their own drum.

"The children will be able to connect the past with the present through the activities," said Tanis Monday, director of PCM.

Attendance is limited and reservations need to be made by April 1.

On April 10, the second session will be conducted, again from 11 a.m. noon. "A Day During the Civil War" will reveal something about what life during the Civil War might have been like.

The children will have an opportunity to make and eat hardtack, a food soldiers at the front depended upon. Hardtack is a simple type of cracker or biscuit, made from flour, water and salt. Inexpensive and long lasting, it was used for sustenance in the absence of perishable food.

There will also be an opportunity to play games relevant to the Civil War era.

"Wii and X-Box don't qualify," said Monday.

Reservations for the April 10 program need to be made by April 8.

There is no charge for either program. Call the museum at 653-8419 to make necessary reservations.

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