One might wonder, what does it take to prepare for the largest Civil War battlefield reenactment held in North Carolina -- it takes almost two years of planning by site staff, volunteers, and board members of the Friends of Bentonville Battlefield.  The site will host 2,000+ reenactors from around the country to participate in the Bentonville Battlefield, 155th Anniversary Commemoration, March 21-22, 2020. They will re-create the last major battle and the largest land battle fought on North Carolina soil as the end of the war drew near in March 1865. The public is invited to watch the action!

In addition to the daily battles, the weekend will feature free lectures, 19th century medical displays, period music, and dozens of "sutlers" selling Civil War related items.  Advanced tickets for this event, which only happens every 5 years, are now for sale online, and limited availability on-site during the event.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children aged seven-12; younger children are free. Advance purchasing also allows purchase of a combination ticket for both days at $20 for adults and $10 for children. Battle reenactments will be Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

The weekend activities will include lectures, games, music, and other free family fun. Only the battle reenactments are ticketed and include cavalry mounted drill demonstrations an hour before the battles. Program presenters will include Mark Bradley, renowned Civil War Historian, and Carolyn Cole, speaking on descendants of those enslaved from the Cole Plantation.

Interior exhibits at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site near Four Oaks, NC.

Bentonville Battlefield is the largest Civil War Battlefield in the state and the site of the only offensive battle to stop Gen. William Sherman’s march north from Savannah. This was one of the last major battles fought during the Civil War, involving over 80,000 troops covering 6,000 acres of farmland in Eastern North Carolina.  Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit preservation of Bentonville Battlefield and construction of a new visitor center. More information on the weekend's schedule may be found on the website.

The 2020 event is sponsored by the Friends of Bentonville Battlefield Inc. (FOBB), the Johnston County Visitors Bureau, and the N.C. Division of Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Bentonville Battlefield is located three miles north of Newton Grove on U.S. 701 and then three miles east on S.R. 1008. For more information on Bentonville, call (910) 594-0789 or visit the website www.bentonvillereenactment.com.

Address:  5466 Harper House Road, Four Oaks, NC  27524
Phone:    910-595-0789
website:  https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/bentonville-battlefield

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NC Department of Cultural Resources logo, Raleigh, NC.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR's mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state's history, conserving the state's natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.