Join us during May and June for a series of special events at the Andover Historical Society!

In 2008, Joan Silva Patrakis, published one of the principal historical accounts of Andover during the Civil War.  Now during the 150^th anniversary of the war between North and South, the Andover Historical Society presents Spirit & Sacrifice: A Series of Civil War History Events.  Throughout the month of June, take part in a variety of family and adult programming to learn about this fascinating era in American history.  The series of events will begin on May 26th with a special one day exhibition featuring artifacts dating from 1830-1865.  This exhibit, Relics of the Past: The Civil War will be open to the public from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.  Come see the relics preserved by the Andover Historical Society that tell the story of a community.

June 6-Tea with Abby Locke: An 1866 Andover Girl

During the start of the Civil War, Abby Locke, who was raised in Andover, was just 11 years old.  Abby kept a diary between January and July of 1866, after the soldiers had returned home.  Abby’s diary and records of her family preserved by the Andover Historical Society reveal what her days and thoughts were like; it may surprise you how similar some of your interests are!  Children will participate in fun games, crafts, and enjoy a real tea party with their dolls and friends.  For children ages 7-11 from 3:30-5:00 p.m.  Bring your favorite American Girl Doll to this unique event! $15 per child, $10 per accompanying adult

June 10, Spirit and Sacrifice: Cemetery Tour

Join South Church Historian, Charlotte Lyons, for a detailed tour of one of Andover’s oldest burial grounds containing many of the brave soldiers who fought during the Civil War.  Learn about Andover’s history of slavery, abolitionism, and its role in the Civil War.  Learn of the people who owned slaves to slaves who fought in the American Revolution, to Underground Railroad homes by seeing this historic cemetery.  Hear the stories of soldiers and veterans who returned to Andover, and the many who did not return at all.  Meet in the South Church Parking lot at 1 p.m.  The tour will last 1.5hours. $5 admission, free to Historical Society members

June 14th, Andover in the Civil War: A Lecture by Mike Morris Jr.

Listen as Civil War enthusiast Mike Morris Jr. discusses Joan Silva Patrakis’ book Andover in the Civil War: The Spirit & Sacrifice of a New England Town a fascinating history of the impacts of the Civil War upon Andover.  Mike will address the lives of the some of the soldiers, the struggles they endured and the sacrifices they made in many of the Civil War’s battles and episodes.  Mike will touch upon several topics ranging from the battlefield experiences of Andover men, the ravages of disease upon Andover’s soldiers and how the Civil War was remembered by its Andover participants.  Hear the moving stories of Andover residents during the bloodiest years in America’s history.  The lecture will take place from 7:00-8:00p.m. $5 admission; free to Historical Society members

June 21- A Soldier’s Life: Civil War Reenactment by James Bedford

Audiences of all ages are invited to visit the Andover Historical Society on June 21st at 7 p.m. to see a Civil War reenactment.  Jim Bedford of Andover, a tenth generation US family originally from the New York City area, has been re-enacting the Civil War common soldier for over twenty-five years.  Portraying a recent Irish immigrant from County Mayo during the Civil War, Bedford’s character joined Company C, 28th Massachusetts in late 1861 after the call went out from Governor Andrew to raise a regiment consisting wholly of Irishmen to save the Union.  When President Lincoln called for additional troops to put down the rebellion he quickly joined.  View a soldier as he portrays the common life and learn of his experiences in the Eastern theatre including Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg.  This event is free and open to the public but reservations are required as space is limited.

Spirit and Sacrifice in Andover will take place starting May 26^th until the final event on June 21^st.   Registration is required in advance, space is limited.  Call 978-475-2236 to learn more or to reserve your space.