Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend
Minorities in the Civil War

On Saturday and Sunday, March 4-5, 2017, The Mariners’ Museum and Park will commemorate the Civil War Battle that changed modern naval history forever. The Battle of Hampton Roads, when the Union ironclad USS Monitor fought the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia to a draw, proved the supremacy of iron to wood. One hundred and fifty-five years later, the Museum remembers the Battle with a weekend full of family-friendly activities, living history encampments, special events, and lectures. This year, in addition to the Battle itself, the weekend will focus on minorities in the Civil War.

Activities both outside and inside the Museum will occur Saturday and Sunday and will include:

• Reenactors featuring the Tidewater Maritime Living History Association
• Experience living history encampments with the U.S. Colored Troops Living History Association
• Cannon firing and blacksmithing demonstrations
• Enjoy family activities, such as period games and crafts
• Engage in educational lectures from historians and experts in the field

Guests will be able to take guided tours of the USS Monitor Center and the Batten Conservation Lab, in addition to hearing about “Spies Among Us,” detailing the role of women and children in the Civil War.

On Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m., Hampton Roads’ top restaurants and caterers will prepare their best interpretations of 19th-century dishes during History Bites, a food-tasting event of historic proportions!