‘Living' history

MONROE-Civil War re-enactors are among the keepers of American history, at least the years between 1861 and 1865. And while it may be near impossible to single out which moments are most important, the American Civil War remains the bloodiest, "most complex and socially controversial ever in our country's history," according to the American Civil War Society. For the 30th year in a row, Museum Village opened its grounds Sept. 3 and 4 to the largest Civil War re-enactment in the state. Through part war games, part open-air classroom, the re-enactors displayed the uniforms, weapons, civilian attire and encampments commonplace during the War Between the States. Here are some scenes from Civil War weekend at Museum Village. Photos from top: Don Arns of the 56th New York holds his two-year-old daughter, Riley, while she feeds the horses carrots. Abigal Simmons, 2, gets her toy musket and heads out to play with the boys. Her father Dennis watches. Benjamin Kravetz, 3, wants to go off to war. Barry Green, 13, practices with his drums. (Photos by Angelina Collins) MacKenzie Arns, 4, rolls a wagon wheels down the sidewalk.