Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park announced a number of exciting programs during the month of June.
National Get Outdoors Day – June 9
Spend some time outside and enjoy the resources your local national park has to offer as parks across the nation join together to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day, Saturday, June 9. At Chickamauga Battlefield, join park rangers and volunteers as they conduct the first artillery demonstrations of the year. Hear the roar of the cannon and learn as rangers tell the stories of the men firing the guns as well as those charging the deadly guns. Demonstrations will occur at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30. Additional programming will also occur throughout the day. Join a ranger-guided car caravan tour of the park at 10:00 and 2:00. Take in “A Soldier’s Life” program about the soldiers who gave up their farms, stores, and other home lives to fight and bleed on battlefields across the country (program times: 9:30, 10:30, 2:30, and 3:30). Out on a hike? Look for a ranger at Tour Stop #6 and ask them about the tower of the Wilder Brigade Monument or any other question about the fields and forests of the park.
On Lookout Mountain, enjoy the views and stories from Point Park for free as the National Park Service celebrates National Get Outdoors Day with the waiver of entrance fees. Ever wondered about the geology of how Lookout Mountain got its shape or the people who have lived around the mountain over the years? Join rangers and volunteers at 9:30 a.m. just inside the Point Park entrance gate for a 3-mile hike where they will answer these and other questions about your local national park. Enjoy the variety of nature in the woods and explore the fascinating span of history on and around Lookout Mountain as you hike from Point Park down to Cravens House and back. The hike will be of moderate difficulty with a total elevation change of about 500 feet. Please bring water, sun screen, and insect repellent. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes and weather appropriate clothing; the hike will continue rain or shine!
Even if you are not interested in any of the particular programming occurring during National Get Outdoors Day, encourage your friends and family to take this opportunity to get outside: take a hike, ride bikes at Chickamauga Battlefield, enjoy a picnic at one of six designated areas in the park, or just take a walk through the trees and remember the sacrifices of those who fought.
37th Georgia Infantry Regiment Living History Weekend – June 16-17
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park invites the public to attend a special living history weekend at Point Park, located at Lookout Mountain Battlefield, on Saturday, June 16, and Sunday, June 17, 2012. Volunteers representing the 37th Georgia Infantry Regiment will conduct demonstrations and discuss the daily lives of soldiers. During the Civil War, the 37th Georgia fought through the Chattanooga Campaign at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, through the Atlanta Campaign, at Franklin, and at Nashville. Come out an experience a taste of what life was like for soldiers during the Civil War.
Book Signings
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park and Eastern National are pleased to announce a number of book signings during June at Chickamauga Battlefield.
Wednesday, June 6 – Author Matt Spruill will sign his books Guide to the Battle of Chickamauga, Storming the Heights, Winter Lightning, and Decision at Gettysburg.
Saturday, June 16 – Author Brad Quinlin will sign his book Duty Well Performed.
Saturday, June 23 – Author Robert Carter and cartographer Jim Boyd will sign their new release, Fight for Snodgrass Hill and the Rock of Chickamauga.
For more information on any of the programs occurring in June, please contact the National Park Service, Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706 866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 821-7786, or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/chch.