Cool History (Year Round)

Year-Round Living History Events

“Cool History” encompasses a variety of living history events held throughout the year, some annual, some unique, one-time productions. Each Cool History event is organized around a particular theme, with the goal to both entertain and educate visitors with scenes depicting events or daily life in the Civil War sea services. Past themes have included ship captures, a Havana bar scene (where Union and Confederate sailors mingled in neutral territory), court-martials, Lt. Cushing’s raid on the Albemarle, and many more.

Recurring Cool History Programs:

July – Medical Cool History
Learn about Civil War surgery and medicine at sea, as our surgeon performs a delecate operation on a wounded sailor in the wardroom of the USS Hartford. As he explains his techniques, tools and medicines, visitors will gain a unique perspective on combat medicine.

2010: July 10 & 11
1:00. 2:00 & 3:00 p.m.
Price: Regular Admission

During combat, the ship’s surgeon would typically set up on the dining table in the officers’ wardroom, as it was usually the only large table on board the ship. After any needed surgery was completed, the table would simply be wiped off, and diner would be served!

November – Captured! Combat Tours of the USS Water Witch (Pictured Above)
Step on board and hear the exiting story of the battle for the USS Water Witch! In the middle of a stormy night in June of 1864, Confederate naval forces launched a raid to capture the USS Water Witch, sitting at anchor near Savannah, GA as part of the Union blockade.

The battle that followed was brief but incredibly bloody, and was well documented in first-person accounts by sailors and officers on both sides.

Walk the deck as uniformed guides tell the story of the battle, recreating key scenes as they happened.

2010: November 27 & 28
11:00 a.m., 1:00 & 3:00 p.m.
Cost: Regular Admission