160th Anniversary of the Battle of Natural Bridge 📜
📌 February 28 to March 2, 2025
Battle of Natural Bridge
For those of you who may not know, the 2nd largest Florida battle in the civil war was fought just down the road at what is now known as Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park.
174 Americans perished in the battle.
The 160th Anniversary of the Battle of Natural Bridge is scheduled to take place from February 28 to March 2, 2025, at the Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park, located at 7502 Natural Bridge Road, approximately 12 miles southeast of Tallahassee, Florida. This event also marks the 48th annual reenactment and living history weekend commemorating the Civil War battle fought on March 6, 1865.
The ceremony and reenactment will feature a variety of activities. Registration begins on Friday, February 28, with battle reenactments occurring on both Saturday, March 1, and Sunday, March 2. Throughout the weekend, visitors can expect military, medical, and living history demonstrations, including presentations by the John G. Riley Center/Museum of African American History and Culture. On Saturday, additional highlights include a Ladies' Tea and a Civil War dance at 8:00 PM, featuring the 7LBS of Bacon Mess Band. The Natural Bridge Historical Society, Inc., the citizen support organization for the park, will hold its annual meeting at 5:00 PM on Saturday. On Sunday, the Anna Jackson Chapter 224 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy will conduct a brief pilgrimage ceremony, laying a wreath to honor the original battle participants.
The event is held on the original battlefield site, offering a chance to experience history firsthand with period merchants, booksellers, and food vending by the Tallahassee Elks Lodge. More information can be found on the Natural Bridge Historical Society’s website (nbhscso.com) or the Florida State Parks website (floridastateparks.org/naturalbridge). The event is free and open to the public, making it a significant opportunity to engage with this piece of Florida’s Civil War history.
Information I did not have at the time this post was sent out.
Saturday March 1, 2025
9:00 a.m. – Military and civilian camps open to the public
10:00 a.m. – Infantry drill & field demonstrations
11:00 a.m. – Medical demonstration
12:00 a.m. – Historical presentations under the ball tent – John G. Riley Center/Museum of African American History and Culture
Oration of Frederick Douglas by John Anderson
1:00 p.m. – Ladies Tea
1:30 p.m. – Artillery demonstration
3:00 p.m. – Skirmish on the battlefield
4:30 p.m. – Military and civilian camps closed to the public
5:00 p.m. – Annual meeting of the Natural Bridge Historical Society, Inc. under the ball tent – open to the public
8:00 p.m. – Civil War Dance under the ball tent – 1860’s period dress requested but not required – open to the public
Sunday March 2, 2025
9:00 a.m. – Military and civilian camps open to the public
10:00 a.m. – Non-denominational church services at the monument
1:00 a.m. – 160th Anniversary Memorial Service – Anna Jackson Chapter 224 United Daughters of the Confederacy
2:30 p.m. – 48th Annual Reenactment of the Battle of Natural Bridge
3:30 p.m. – Conclusion and salute