During “Civil War Day” on Sunbury Village Square, the smell of Ohio coal from the blacksmith’s forge and the sounds of cannon fire and rifle shot let Sunbury businesses and visitors relive parts of the American Civil War.

During the day May 13, more than 560 students and adults spent two hours on the Village Square, learning about the Civil War from different perspectives in what has become a Sunbury staple event in a few short years.

The students said they especially enjoyed learning about cannons and watching them being fired. They rotated through artillery, infantry and cavalry demonstrations, and heard about the British Observer Corps.

Students also learned why women served as soldiers during the Civil War, and the role of ministers on battlefields and in the camps.

Each group witnessed a rebel and a Yank exchanging fire to alert guides to move each group of students to the next station.

Rick Helwig organized this year’s event for the Big Walnut Area Historical Society. Damon Bower found volunteers willing to dress in costume and lead groups of students through the stations.

Alice Chapan and her crew of Connie Ackerman and Carol Wood provided lunch for the 24 event workers.

Sunbury’s own blacksmith, Rick Helwig, provided a bit of living history for local schoolchildren during last week’s Civil War Day on Sunbury Village Square. Well over 500 students rotated between stations, learning about many aspects of wartime life in the mid-1800s.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/05/web1_CivWar.Blacksmith.SUBMITTED.jpgSunbury’s own blacksmith, Rick Helwig, provided a bit of living history for local schoolchildren during last week’s Civil War Day on Sunbury Village Square. Well over 500 students rotated between stations, learning about many aspects of wartime life in the mid-1800s. Courtesy photo