The Washington County Historical Society is excited to announce that Civil War historian and collector Mike Frain will be doing a program about the Civil War – “How they Lived,” at the Washington County Heritage Center, located at 1862 S. Greeley Street, Stillwater, on Tuesday November 30 at 7:00pm.

Frain will share his extensive collection of Civil War items including original and high-quality reproduction CW gear, a complete Union uniform with all the accouterments and a few original muskets. For 20 years, Frain was a member of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry re-enactment group based at Ft. Snelling. The program will also touch on the First Regiment, whose Company B hailed from Stillwater and had famed figured such as Adam Marty and Sam Bloomer in its ranks.

Through his research on the Civil War and the daily life of a solider, Frain has discovered that daily life for North and South soldiers weren’t all that different. In the program Frain will outline some of the soldiers’ survival methods, food and shelter, clothing and footwear, and other aspects of their everyday lives. Being an expert in weaponry from this era, Frain will also discuss the firearms they carried and show some items from his own collection that are not typically available outside of a museum setting.

From the true Civil War buff to a curious novice, this program will be entertaining and informational to all levels of interest.

The program is free to the public and will last approximately one hour. No reservations are required. For questions, contact [email protected] or visit the Washington County Heritage Center Tuesday- Sunday from 10am-4pm.

Founded in 1934, the Washington County Historical Society is a donor-supported, nonprofit organization with more than 750 individual, family, and business members. WCHS is supported by individual gifts, memberships and earned income, and foundation grants.