Meeman-Shelby State Park Hosts Civil War Events

Nashville, Tenn. – Civil War history will come to life Jan. 25-27 at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park near Memphis. The park will host “School of Soldiers” – a living history program featuring period military drills, battle techniques and other interpretative demonstrations – to celebrate the opening of a special exhibit on loan from the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville.

The exhibit – titled “Hoofbeats in the Heartland: Civil War Cavalry in Tennessee” – explores the development and impact of mounted warfare in the state during the Civil War. Funded in part by a grant from the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, this traveling exhibit will be on display at the park from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, beginning Jan. 25 and running through March 2.

“Hoofbeats in the Heartland” draws on artifacts, photographs and drawings to chronicle various aspects of Civil War history, ranging from the experience of commanders like Nathan Bedford Forrest and John Hunt Morgan to the realities of occupation for the South. Other thematic emphases include the uses of horses and mules; the roles of spies, scouts, partisans and guerillas; the significance of battles in Tennessee; and the legacy of Civil War cavalry techniques.

“School of Soldiers,” the living history presentations slated for Jan. 25-27, will complement the exhibit by blending education and entertainment. Interpretative programs will begin at 1 p.m. Friday, with a variety of Civil War drills. The festivities will resume at 11 a.m. Saturday and 12:30 p.m. Sunday, offering visitors additional opportunities to witness battle techniques and tour military encampments.

For more information about the Civil War events planned at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, call the park office at (901) 876-5201.

To reach Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park from Interstate 40, take exit 2-A. Turn right, and travel through six traffic lights to Watkins Road (Highway 388). Turn left, and continue until the road ends. Turn left again. Travel one mile to a four-way stop at Shelby Forest General Store, and turn right. Then, travel another mile, and turn left into the park.

Please visit www.tnstateparks.com/MeemanShelby for additional information about the park.