Civil War sesquicentennial commemorated with Mosby movie, lectures, re-enactments, and more

For those of you interested in commemorating this year’s sesquicentennial (that’s the 150th anniversary) of the Civil War, there are a series of events taking place throughout Fairfax County over the next few months.

Next Sunday, June 19, a documentary film on Col. John S. Mosby’s combat operations in Fairfax County will take place at the Cinema Arts Theatre in Fairfax at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Fleming as Mosby

Mosby is considered one of the most successful leaders of guerilla operations, and the film details the activities of “Mosby’s Rangers” in 42 locations in Fairfax County, including the skirmish in Annandale, which is commemorated on a historic marker in front of the George Mason Regional Library.

Tickets are $8 and you might want to consider purchasing them in advance, as this movie could be a popular activity on Father’s Day. DVDs of the movie, including a map of all the operations, will be available for $26.25 at the theater.

Also next weekend, June 17-18, there will be a series of events in Vienna commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Vienna.

On Friday, June 17, the musical group Evergreen Shade will perform Civil War-era music and dance at 6:30 p.m. on the Town Green, 144 Maple Ave. E. Following the performance at 7:30 p.m., local historian Jim Lewis of the Hunter Mill Defense League will present a narrated slide show about the Battle of Vienna.

On Saturday, June 18, the public is invited to visit a replica of military and civilian encampments on the grounds of the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry St. S.E.), 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

There will be demonstrations of quilting bees, telegraph communications, period games, attire, cosmetics and hair styling, knitting, cooking, and more. There will also be infantry demonstrations and canon firings periodically throughout the day, as well as an appearance of re-enactor Jimmy Fleming as Col. John S. Mosby.

The day’s main event includes a re-enactment at 6 p.m. of the historic Battle of Vienna, which will include live cannon fire and a train replica on loan from the town of Strasburg. All Battle of Vienna events are free and all demonstrations and activities are family friendly.

Here are some more upcoming Civil War events nearby:

The 31st Annual Spring Mosby’s Confederacy Bus Tour takes place June 18, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The tour begins and ends at the Truro Rectory, 10520 Main St., Fairfax. The cost is $75 ($65 for members of the Stuart-Mosby Society). For information, call 703/971-4984.

On July 16, 2 p.m., historian Mark Trbovich will present a free talk on “First Blood, Battle of Blackburn’s Ford” at the Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim, 3610 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. For information, call 703/591-6728.

On July 31, 1-3 p.m., Green Spring Gardens hosts a program of stories on “Civil War Rangers, Raiders, and Spies.” For information, call 703/642-5173.