Join the University of Iowa Old Capitol Museum at the Cedar County Historical Society in Tipton, Saturday Sept. 15, from noon to 5 p.m. to recognize the 150^th anniversary of the American Civil War. The free family event will include historical interpretation of a Civil War encampment, period games, crafts, food, and drink.

The second annual "Day on the Prairie at the Prairie Village" will celebrate the addition of the village’s fifth building, the Hardware and Tin-shop. The village is located at 1094 Highway 38.

This year’s event will feature Civil War-era demonstrations and activities for the whole family:

• Ann Cejka, historical interpreter from Ushers Ferry, Cedar Rapids, will set up a Civil War encampment.
• Diane Fleschin of Tipton will demonstrate weaving.
• Bill Muhs of Lowden will offer his expert advice on prairie plants.
• Kurtis and Sharon Voparil of Solon will show how rope was made in the mid-1800s.

In addition to tasting period foods and drink, visitors can participate in oat threshing, hand quilting, butter-making and hand-dipping candle activities led by volunteers from the Historical Society, docents from the Old Capitol Museum, students from the UI Introduction to Museum Studies course, and several additional members of the local community.

Children will also be able to participate in a whitewash relay to help the Historical Society paint the picket fence for the Bedbug School located on the grounds.

“A Day on the Prairie at the Prairie Village” is presented in conjunction with the Old Capitol Museum exhibit “Gone to See the Elephant: The Civil War through the Eyes of Iowa Soldiers”on display at the museum in Iowa City. The exhibit is free and open to the public through May 26, 2013.

For more information on the University of Iowa Pentacrest Museums and the Old Capitol Museum, call 319-335-0546 or visit www.uiowa.edu/oldcap.

For more information on “A Day on the Prairie at the Prairie Village” program and the Cedar County Historical Society visit cedarcountyhistoricalsociety.webs.com/.