Due to COVID-19, we have made the tough decision to cancel this event. The health and safety of our staff, guests and community is our primary concern. As updates are available, they will be posted in the “Quick Links” on DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com and on Facebook and Twitter.

2020 Military Living History and Civil War Days at Discovery Park of America includes a variety of programs and activities for anyone passionate about looking back and experiencing the past. Throughout the weekend, there will be reenactors located at various places around the museum and park sharing the stories of those who were present during the Civil War, World Wars and Vietnam.

The popular cannon firings are back on the Great Lawn and you’ll experience a rush of excitement as you observe first-hand skirmishes between the North and the South. Also coming back this year on Saturday night is the one-of-a-kind event that combines theater, storytelling and music among the cabins of our authentic 1800s Settlement on the lake. You and your family will get to know and hear from those who experienced the Civil War and its aftermath.

Rounding out the experiences this weekend are authors who have written about military subjects and gallery talks taking place in Discovery Park’s various military galleries.

This event is sponsored by Dixie Gun Works, Inc. and Union City Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

Schedule

Fri., April 24, 2020

10:30 a.m.
Civil War Encampment Tours with Reenactors
Great Lawn

11:30 a.m.
Gallery Talk with Zach Rea
A brief look at how the Civil War affected Union City, Tenn., the battles that took place nearby, and how we are still impacted by them today.
Military Gallery

2:00 p.m.
Gallery Talk with Zach Rea
Hear about the advancements in medicine that took place during the Civil War and discover more about the life of a typical Civil War soldier.
Military Gallery

2:30 p.m.
Civil War Encampment Tours with Reenactors
Great Lawn

Cannon firings throughout the day on the Great Lawn

Music in the chapel

Guided tours through the Military Gallery with reenactors ever hour on the hour

Sat., April 25, 2020

11:30 a.m.
Program
“The Enduring Myth of the Lost Cause,” Dr. David Coffey
Tennessee Room
Book signing to follow

1:30 p.m.
Civil War Encampment Tours with Reenactors
Great Lawn

2:30 p.m.
Skirmish on the Great Lawn
Reenactors from around the country will be here to reenact skirmishes similar to what happened during the Civil War

3:30 p.m.
Program
“The African American Military Experience,” Dr. Adam Wilson
Tennessee Room
Book signing to follow

7:30 p.m.
Lantern Walk
$10, Purchase Tickets Here

Cannon firings throughout the day on the Great Lawn.

Music in the chapel

Guided tours through the Military Gallery with reenactors every hour on the hour.

Sun., April 26, 2020

11:00 a.m.
Non-denominational Field Service
Chaplains Tent, Great Lawn

11:30 a.m.
Gallery Talk with Zach Rea
A brief look at how the Civil War affected Union City, Tenn., the battles that took place nearby, and how we are still impacted by them today.
Military Gallery

2:00 p.m.
Gallery Talk with Zach Rea
Hear about the advancements in medicine that took place during the Civil War and discover more about the life of a typical Civil War soldier.
Military Gallery

Cannon firings throughout the day, beginning at 1 p.m.

Guided tours through the military gallery with reenactors every hour on the hour beginning at 1 p.m.

Sat., April 25, 2020, 7:30 p.m.
Lantern Walk
$10, Purchase Tickets Here
An evening tour among the authentic cabins that are part of the Settlement at Discovery Park. Featuring nearly a dozen structures, the little settlement on the North Lake includes farmhouses, a corn crib, tool barn, smokehouse, hog barn, loom house, doctor’s cabin, well house and woodshed. The collection of hand hewn log buildings resembles what one might have found in a mid-nineteenth century frontier settlement. For this special evening, reenactors will share stories from the past as they sit around the fire, make themselves comfortable on the front porches or just go about their lives as you and your family get a front row seat.

Bios

Dr. David Coffey
Born in New Mexico and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, David Coffey holds a Ph.D. from TCU. He is professor of history and chair of the Department of History and Philosophy at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he offers classes in US, military, and Mexican history. His books include “John Bell Hood and the Struggle for Atlanta;” “Soldier Princess: The Life and Legend of Agnes Salm-Salm in North America, 1861-1867;” and “Sheridan’s Lieutenants: Phil Sheridan, His Generals, and the Final Year of the Civil War.” He is a co-author of “Historic Abilene: An Illustrated History.” Additionally, he has contributed chapters to well-regarded anthologies on Civil War, Mexican, and Texas history. He has contributed to ten major historical reference works and served as an editor on three award winning multi-volume projects: the Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War, the Encyclopedia of American Military History, and the Encyclopedia of the North American Indian Wars, 1607-1890. Coffey is the assistant editor of the new six-volume American Civil War: The Definitive Encyclopedia and Document Collection, to which he contributed more than forty entries. He is the 2012 recipient of UTM’s prestigious Cunningham Outstanding Teacher/Scholar Award.

Dr. Adam Wilson
Dr. Adam Wilson joined the Office of Educational Outreach at the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2011 as faculty member of the Department of History and Philosophy. More recently, Dr. Wilson took on the role of Director of UT Martin’s Online Programs in 2016. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi. His major area of research is African American history, and he specializes in the “long civil rights movement” and African Americans’ service in the military throughout America’s wars.

In 2015, Dr. Wilson’s first manuscript, “African American Army Officers of World War I: A Vanguard of Equality in War and Beyond,” was published. The monograph addresses the roles played by African Americans officers of World War I in fighting for civil rights as they confronted discrimination and bigotry both on the home front and abroad in their military service while also detailing their continued efforts to end segregation and inequality after the war.

Dr. Wilson frequently presents on his research including a recent trip to the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri, for the Western Front Association & The Great War Society’s Joint National Seminar. He has contributed to several Encyclopedias including The Mississippi Encyclopedia, The Encyclopedia of Modern Middle East Wars: A Social, Political, and Military History, and American Civil War: The Definitive Encyclopedia and Document Collection.

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The Military Gallery

Discovery Park’s Military Gallery can be found on two levels of the museum. The lower level contains a collection of military vehicles and weapons, as well as displays about the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and our current military conflicts. On the entry level, the exhibits that are part of The Military Gallery focus on the Civil War, World War I and World War II. The Oral History Theater, recently renovated thanks to a donation from Jimmy Rickman, is also located on the second level.