Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park invites the public to participate in living history programs and tours commemorating the 153rd Anniversary of the Siege of Chattanooga on Saturday, Oct. 8 and on Sunday, Oct. 9 in Point Park, on Lookout Mountain, and in Chattanooga’s Renaissance Park.
"Private Thomas McCall of the 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry, 153 years ago, recalled that during the Confederate besiegement of Chattanooga 'starvation stared us in the face.' As surrounded Union soldiers hunkered down in the city, the reality of the situation set in as the army cut rations and the men quite literally on the verge of starvation. Today, most visitors to the Scenic City never fathom the desperate condition of soldiers located here in 1863. Programs conducted throughout the weekend will be an added learning experience for those visiting the city this October," officials said.
Living historians will be stationed in Point Park on Saturday, Oct. 8 and Sunday, Oct. 9 demonstrating the effectiveness of the Confederate cannon stationed there during the siege in 1863.
These 30-minute, ranger-conducted programs will begin at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
Although programs are free, entrance to Point Park is $5 per adult, ages 16 and older (children, ages 15 and younger, enter free).
Visitors to Renaissance Park, near Market Street Bridge, will be able to participate in special programs as well. Living historians dressed as Union soldiers will be available, conducting on-going programs about army life in Chattanooga on a daily basis during the siege. These programs will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will end at 4 p.m. each day.
Also, for those visitors interested in learning more about Chattanooga during the siege on a more mobile basis, 2-hour ranger-guided walking tours crossing the Tennessee River on Walnut Street Bridge will begin at 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m. from the living history area encampment in Renaissance Park. Please follow the “Special Event” signs off Frazier Avenue in North Chattanooga to the living history and walking tour locations.
On Saturday, Oct. 9 at 4 p.m., inside Outdoor Chattanooga’s facility (200 River St.), the park’s 26-minute orientation film, “The Campaign for Chattanooga: Death Knell of the Confederacy,” will be shown for all those wishing to view the film in Chattanooga during the siege’s anniversary.