SOUTHWEST CIVIL WAR ASSOCIATION

 

The Southwest Civil War Association (SWCWA) is a living history group that incorporates historical tools, activities and dress into interactive presentations that aims to give observers and participants a sense of stepping back in time. Although the SWCWA does not necessarily seek to reenact any specific event in the American Civil War, living history is similar to, and sometimes incorporates, historical battle reenactments in our presentations. Living history in general, is an educational medium used by living history museums, historic sites, schools and historical reenactment groups to educate the public in particular areas of history, such as clothing styles, pastimes and handicrafts, or to simply present a sense of the everyday life of a certain period in history.

The membership of our organization is made up of schoolteachers, professionals, business owners, lawyers, accountants, law enforcement officers, retired military members and a host of others which all have an interest in presenting the American Civil War and wish to share their knowledge and experience with the public. Each member has a wealth of knowledge of the era, the sacrifices of those who fought and the material artifacts of the period which they gladly share with the public at our events.

 We believe that this conflict, as savage and tragic as it was, still represents the centerpiece of our history and has important lessons for us as a people even in the 21st century.  We try to demonstrate- in the most accurate ways possible- both the military and civilian lives of Americans during the mid-19th century. After each presentation, we answer and discuss the publics inquiries to aid the understanding of the aftermath of a war that took the lives of over 700,000 American citizens. We welcome and encourage everyone to visit the camps to see and touch how the soldiers lived.

The SWCWA has approximately 150 members throughout Arizona and New Mexico and is the largest living history association in the four corners area of the Southwest.  With Arizona  (the New Mexico Territory at the time) holding the unique place in history as the westernmost action of the Civil War. Each year the SWCWA actively participates in living history events throughout the southwest including the Colorado River State Historic Park (formerly the Yuma Quartermaster's Depot), Old Tucson and Pioneer Living History Museum.

We encourage you to look through our pages too learn more about us, our units, upcoming events and the history of the southwest and its people in this critical and formative time in our history.

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Contact Us: SWCWA

 

 

 

SOUTHWEST LIVING HISTORY ASSOCIATION

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