Children learned about what life was like during the Civil War at the New London Public Museum on Saturday, Sept. 15.
The event launched the new museum exhibit, “Children and the Civil War.”
There were six areas set up on the museum lawn where attendees learned about different aspects of the Civil War.
At one area, attendees learned about what life was like as a Civil War soldier from Wisconsin. The soldier was dressed as a Civil War soldier from Wisconsin, had a makeshift tent and had a variety of items with him that a Civil War soldier would have had. He explained what the different things were used for, as well as explaining how the gun from that era worked.
Alice Gilman, assistant director at the New London Public Library, demonstrated how letters were written at that time. The demonstrations included using a steel nib pen and dipping it in ink.
Christine Cross, director of the New London Public Museum, demonstrated how bandages were rolled and lint was obtained to send to soldiers to treat wounds. Cross said during the Civil War, women and children did this at home, and then sent the bandages and lint to the soldiers.
Attendees also learned about how herbs were used during the Civil War, how soap was made and the types of games that were played during the Civil War.
The Children and The Civil War exhibit will run through January 31, 2013 at the New London Public Library.