Visit Logan Days in Murphysboro, IL May 16-17

Logan Days ic coming up this weekend (Fri-Sat, May 16-17, 2008) at the John A. Logan Museum in Murphysboro, IL.  The annual festival honors Civil War General John A. Logan, one of Lincoln's best political appointments to high command and a valued subordinate of General Ulysses S. Grant.

Event start Friday night with a trivia night at the museum from 7 to 10pm.   Tickets are available in advance and at the door.

Saturday, at 10am, there's a wreath-laying at the statue of General Logan at Murphysboro Middle School (2135 Spruce Street).  The public is invited.  

Visitors can examine the permanent museum exhibit, "Logan: His Life and Times," at the General John A. Logan Museum (1613 Edith Street), located less than 150 feet from the site of the house in which General Logan was born.  The museum grounds, which include six historical buildings in a one-block area, are adjacent to the route of the vanished Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad.  Three of Logan's descendants cut the ribbon opening a new museum wing during last year's Logan Days.

Saturday, children will get a chance to experience history with reenacters demonstrating various crafts while being able to talk to a Civil War soldier or play sports popular in the day, cricket and baseball.

The Murphysboro Clarkes vintage baseball team will play in the Third Annual Black Jack Logan Vintage Baseball Tournament at noon Saturday at Longfellow Park.  The team will be in 19th Century uniforms, the public is invited to dress according to the period.

In conjunction with the ballgame, Miners Redemption Day activities will be held starting at noon, also in Longfellow Park.

General and Mrs. Logan's Civil War Grand Ball is Saturday night from 6 to 10pm at the Murphysbopro Event Center.  Many men attending will be wearing Civil War reenacters wearing their uniforms and some women will be wearing hoop skirts fashionable in the Civil War era.  Formal attire is recommended for those not wearing a costume.  Music will be provided by Banjovie and Joe Surdyk. Free dance lessons for the event will be held prior to the Saturday ball at the event center between 2 to 3:30pm.  Tickets are available through the museum in advance ($20) or at the door ($25).