For Immediate Release: August 30, 2002

On Route To Sharpsburg
Living History Program
and Lecture at Morven Park

In commemoration of the 140th anniversary of the battle of Antietam, the Southern Guard Living History Association (SGLHA) will be camped on the property of Morven Park on Saturday, September 7th and Sunday, September 8th to offer visitors an in-depth examination of Confederate troops passing through Leesburg before their first invasion of the North in 1862. SGLHA members will portray troops of the 17th Mississippi Regiment, a unit that actually had set up winter quarters at Morven Park during the war.

Visitors will be able to experience an unforgettable outdoor history lesson when they observe and talk with these living historians as they drill, cook, and practice the everyday life of 19th century soldiering. Included in the two days of activities will be company drills with weapons firing, the preparation of rations, and skirmish drills. Visitors are also invited to walk through the encampment to observe the daily routine of the soldiers and to ask questions of them. The encampment and activities are open to the public from 11:00 - 4:00 on Saturday and from 10:00 - 3:00 on Sunday.

In addition to the encampment, Morven Park will host Civil War historian Kim Holien on Saturday at 3:00 PM for a special lecture. Mr. Holien will speak on "Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade: From Ball's Bluff to Gettysburg." A small exhibit of items found on the Morven Park property near the original 17th Mississippi camp site, accompanied by excerpts from the diary of Private Robert A. Moore of the 17th Mississippi, will be on display in the Morven Park mansion. Visitors may also visit the site of two Civil War Trails signs which provide interpretive information about the property during the war. Offered concurrently with Morven Park's living history activities on Saturday will be Civil War tours of downtown Leesburg, presented by the Loudoun Museum.

Morven Park, best known as the home of World War I-era Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis, was owned in the mid-19th century by Maryland Governor Thomas Swann, Jr. Diary accounts of both Union and Confederate soldiers describe Morven Park as a "model of architecture" and "one of the prettiest places in the state." The 17th Mississippi and the 17th Maine Regiments each encamped at Morven Park during parts of the war. In August of 1862, the skirmish at Mile Hill, located on Morven Park property, was part of the Confederate invasion of the North that would ultimately lead to the fateful battle at Antietam.

The Southern Guard Living History Association is dedicated to learning about, educating others of, and portraying the common soldier of the American Civil War, as accurately as research and materials will allow. Its members work with Morven Park on other living history activities throughout the year. Morven Park is owned and operated by the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, whose mission is to protect, preserve and promote the historic and cultural resources of Morven Park.

The On Route To Sharpsburg weekend is sponsored by Morven Park and the Southern Guard Living History Association. All activities are free to the public. The governor's mansion at Morven Park will be open that weekend from Noon - 4:00 each day, with tours offered on the hour. A fee is charged for the mansion tours. Morven Park is located off Old Waterford Road on the northwest end of Leesburg.

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Morven Park is operated in the public interest by the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization founded to protect and promote the historic and cultural resources of Morven Park.

For More Information Contact:

Tracy Gillespie or
Melissa York
(703)777-6034