John Guss, site manager, inside the Bennett Home

Spring is upon us, and the gardens and landscape are taking shape on the Bennett Farm. More and more school groups are visiting, and we have increased our Outreach programming for those who don’t have the capability at this time. Don’t forget the History Trunk is available to teachers if you need some classroom resources. Please visit the Education section of our website to see the various programs and additional learning resources we provide. And high school seniors, don’t forget the $500.00 William Vatavuk College Scholarship Award that will be presented in April. The application can be found in the Education section of the website.

We are also very excited about the upcoming 50th Anniversary of Bennett Place and the 147th Anniversary of the Surrender Commemoration, April 28-29, 2012. It will be a most memorable weekend event with the “Meeting of the Generals” being recreated along with living history activities of Confederate and Union soldiers and civilian refugees. There will be a variety of well known historians and authors to include Mark Bradley of the definitive book on Bennett Place entitled, This Astounding Close, The Road To Bennett Place, local historians Jim Wise, Brenda McKean , and Michael Hardy, Wade Sokolosky , author of Sherman’s Carolinas Campaign: from Fayetteville To Averasboro, and Jeff Toalson of No Soap, No Pay, Diarrhea, Dysentery, and Desertion will all be here. In addition we have a featured event of the unveiling of a new historical interpretive wayside, which will share more of the story on the grounds outside our visitor center. Sunday, will be the traditional wreath laying ceremony at the Unity Monument , in which we will have some very special guests participate. You’ll simply have to come out and see who they are!

However, first, March brings living history alive once again with our program, TARHEELS: Soldiers of the Old North State , a living history event with historical interpreters portraying the soldiers and civilians of North Carolina during the Civil War. If you are not familiar with the North Carolina soldier and the civilians who endured the war, this is a terrific educational experience. At the end of the month we have Civil War Park Day sponsored in conjunction with the Civil War Trust and History Channel, which is a wonderful opportunity for friends and supporters to spend a day with us cleaning the park, taking care of paint projects, cleaning up the nature trails, and a variety of other projects that we need help to get us ready for our BIG event in April.

Enjoy the great outdoors this Spring by visiting one of the most important historic sites of the American Civil War where I country began the reunification of a once torn nation.

Again, thank you for your continued support of this national treasure.

Sincerely,
John Guss , Site Manager

Greetings Everyone,

John Guss as Gen. Sherman

 We are very excited about this new year of special events and activities, especially the celebration of Bennett Place becoming 50 years old as a public North Carolina State Historic Site. This event will be held April 28-29, 2012 in conjunction with the 147^th Surrender Anniversary Commemoration, which will have the reenactment of the surrender, living history activities, along with wonderful lectures, book signings, displays, and other educational activities. Please see the Special Events page of our website for more information.

 We are also in the second year of the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the American Civil War with many superb national events and large scale reenactments to include the Battle of Shiloh (Pittsburg Landing), TN (March/April), the Siege and Capture of Fort Pulaski, GA (April), the Siege and Capture of Fort Macon, NC (April), the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg), MD (September), the Battle of Perryville, KY (October), and the Battle of Fredericksburg, VA in December to end the 1862 commemorative series of events.

 We encourage you to visit Bennett Place whether it is for our special events, a school program, or a daily drop in visit. You might also consider becoming a volunteer!

 Thank you again for your continued support.

Regards,
John Guss, Site Manager

John Guss, site manager at the Grimes Plantation

Greetings Everyone,

We want to thank you for your support this year especially through the existing challenging economic times. Visitation and financial contributions are the foundation of our future longevity as a historic landmark. Historic sites such as Bennett Place are the fiber of our American heritage which is so crucial to the stability of our nation and gives us direction in to the future.

With the first year of the Sesquicentennial coming to a close we move forward in to 2012 with various expectations of more memorable 150^th Civil War Anniversary signature events, the continuing plans for our new museum redesign, and the celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of Bennett Place becoming a North Carolina State Historic Site, April 28-29, 2012. We ask that you continue your support of our efforts and share in these wonderful upcoming events.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each and everyone!!

John Guss
Site Manager

Site manager John Guss as General Sherman.

Welcome to the new Bennett Place State Historic Site website, which is sponsored by the Bennett Place Support Fund, Inc. Here, you will find additional information regarding the preservation, education, and special events happening at Bennett Place.

This new website provides our Friend’s group more opportunities to increase it’s visibility to the general public, and helps assist them with their primary mission in assisting in the preservation of Bennett Place State Historic Site.

Thank you for helping us preserve this national treasure.

John Guss
Site Manager