News, Tours & Events
Forest Lawn’s Second Annual Muster In The Meadow
Posted on May 27th, 2011To Focus on First Year of the Civil War;
African American Participation to be Highlighted.
Buffalo, NY – For the second consecutive year, Forest Lawn is proud to host Muster In The MeadowSM, a daylong Civil War commemorative event. This year’s Muster In The MeadowSM, which is free and open to the public, will be held this Sunday, May 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Plenty of free parking and free shuttle service will be available from the Canisius College parking ramp.
Muster In The MeadowSM is Forest Lawn’s annual day-long, family-oriented Civil War lifetime learning experience. Utilizing educational and entertaining events, exhibits, re-enactors and more, Muster In The MeadowSM celebrates the rich and diverse history of our country and its people in a unique setting, Forest Lawn, which is the great equalizer for all segments of society. Forest Lawn is rich with Civil War history: there are more than 2,000 Civil War veterans, including 11 generals, seven Medal of Honor recipients and 14 Colored Troops (as they were called then) interred at Forest Lawn.
This year, more than 300 military and civilian re-enactors from across the country and Canada will be in attendance at Muster In The MeadowSM, which will focus on the first year of the Civil War by presenting historically-accurate demonstrations, displays and more. Specifically, the role of African Americans will be highlighted.
Guests will be able to “meet” such historic figures as President Abraham Lincoln; Mary Todd Lincoln; President Millard Fillmore; Colonel Daniel D. Bidwell; Franklin Alberger (Buffalo’s mayor from 1860-1862); Ely S. Parker; Edward Fitzsimmons (from the 155th New York); Harriet Tubman and Maria Love, just to name a few.
Highlights of Muster In The MeadowSM 2011 include:
- The Grand Army of the Republic Service at 10:00 a.m. where Civil War veterans laid to rest in Forest Lawn will be honored. Highlights of the ceremony include placement of a wreath, military salute, the traditional scattering of rose petals and sounding of Taps.
- Opening Ceremonies at 11:00 a.m., which will include comments, as well as remarks from elected officials.
- Dedication of U.S. Colored Troops Marker at 1:00 p.m., which will honor the U.S. Colored Troops (as they were called back then) and will include a rededication of the plaque honoring the 14 African American Civil War soldiers buried at Forest Lawn.
- Mustering of the 49th NYVI at 3:30 p.m., which will include a re-creation of the unit’s march through Buffalo, where more than 80,000 well wishers greeted them along the way. The public is invited to participate.
- A one-mile parade, which will begin at 4:00 p.m. and will make stops at the monument honoring Buffalo native, Colonel Daniel D. Bidwell (this year marks the 140th anniversary of the erection and dedication of this monument) and at the grave of Major William Ellis, a soldier who died of his wounds during the war. A new Civil War-era tombstone will be unveiled and dedicated at his grave.
- Guests will have the opportunity to “join the army” at special tables set up, where they will receive an authentic mustering certificate signed by Colonel Daniel Bidwell.
- Free carriage rides will be available all day long.
From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except during the Opening Ceremonies), the following demonstrations will take place in the Meadow at Forest Lawn:
- Artillery, drill and firing
- Civil War medical instruments
- Civil War communications methods involving the telegraph, moving flags and lights.
- Civilian life during the Civil War
- Life as an African American during the Civil War
- Live performances by the Irish Volunteer Civil War Band and local musician/singer Joe Head
Activities and events in the historic Forest Lawn chapel will include interactive displays about the seven Medal of Honor recipients buried at Forest Lawn; 13 Civil War soldiers whose graves had previously gone unmarked until markers were placed and they were honored at Muster 2010; Colonel Bidwell; Ely S. Parker; mourning jewelry and traditions; Civil War memorabilia from the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, a children’s activity table and more.
Muster In The MeadowSM 2011 will end with the blowing of Taps promptly at 5:00 p.m.
