DEARBORN — Greenfield Village will be commemorating America’s Civil War this weekend by reenacting some of the war’s events in a replicated setting that takes the audience back to the 1860’s. 

More than 450 performers, dressed up in the Civil War era’s military and civilian attire, will reenact major battles, recite stories and play band music from the war, on May 25- 27.

The American Civil War was fought from 1861 to 1865 between Union and Confederate states. The war began when 11 southern states that allowed slavery seceded from the federal union and formed the Confederacy after Abraham Lincoln, who opposed slavery, was elected to the presidency.

More Americans died in the Civil War than any other war fought by the United States. About 750,000 people were killed, the equivalence of 7.5 million dead today, in proportion to the size of the population.

In 1863, Union troops emerged victorious from the Gettysburg Battle, which proved to be a tipping point in the war, and President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, an executive order that granted freedomd to all slaves in the Confederate territory. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Battle.  

Historians from around the Midwest will give special presentations on the war’s battles and generals and American society during that period. Saturday at 3 p.m., Michigan author Jack C. Mason will discuss the life and letters of Israel Bush Richardson, a Union general from Michigan, whose courage on the battlefield earned him the nickname “Fighting Duck.” Material culture historian Brian Koenig will talk about laborer’s clothing in the mid 19th century Sunday at 2 p.m. 

The three- day event will showcase original clothes, artifacts and pictures from the Civil War era, including photos of Henry Ford’s uncle, who fought with the Union Army under the 24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. 

Visitors of the Civil Wars Remembrance could “enlist” to volunteer in the Union’s army and recieve a  volunteer enlistment paper as a souvenir. Children can make Civil War ribbon rosettes at Edison homestead. 

During the event, Greenfield Village will pay tribute to the nation’s armed forces on Memorial Day.

“As you enjoy your visit, please join us in honoring the sacrifices and achievements of all those who bravely fought and continue to fight in defense of our great nation,” reads a statement on Greenfield Village’s website. “The Henry Ford will participate in a national moment of silence on Monday at 3 p.m. as signaled by the Armington & Sims shop whistle.”

The event is endorsed by the Michigan Historical Commission’s Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee,  which was given the responsibility of commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and promoting Michigan’s role in it in 2011 by then- Governor Jennifer Granholm.

Admission to Civil War Remembrance at Greenfield Village costs $24 for adults, $22 for seniors over 62- years- old and $17.50 for children ages 5 to 12. Kids under the age of 4 can get in for free. The event is also free for members.