Civil War history comes alive at Eckley Miners' Village at Living History Weekend: Civil War History, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 14 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain or shine).

Civil War re-enactors make the momentous 1861-1865 era a near-reality. Visitors will step back 150 years and experience first hand the life of the Civil War soldier through battles and skirmishes, living history scenarios, camp life displays, period craftsmen, infantry and artillery firing and drilling demonstrations and home front displays. And there will also be plenty of great food to enjoy.

Visitors will get to enjoy it all up close and personal, since re-enactors enjoy meeting with spectators and consider it a part of their mission to inform the public about a broad range of topics from the politics of the time to military strategy and the culture, customs and music of the 1860s.

More than a dozen re-enactor units will be on hand, including the 1st Pennsylvania Reserve Co./Mifflin Guard; 1st Texas Co.; Pa. 69th Volunteer Infantry; 95th N.Y. Volunteer Infantry; Rockbridge Artillery; 7th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry, Valley Division; Civilian Hometown Society; and the Pallas Athena Ladies Aid Society.

The Company Store will be open and the Eckley Quilters will display their outstanding handiwork. The photographic exhibit of the Village by VISTA volunteer Christopher Deemer will delight visitors to the historic Sharpe House while the Wilkes University Polish Room will host an exhibit on Polish immigrant life during the Civil War.

Displays of domestic demonstrations and chores will be offered, including period cooking and a period kitchen. A wagon shuttle will take visitors throughout the Village. The Eckley Players will be performing a period ethnic wedding re-enactment and the Village's historic homes will be open.

Eckley Miners' Village is a living history museum focusing on the daily life of the anthracite coal miner and his family. Settled in 1854, the village is one of hundreds of company mining towns or "patches" built in the anthracite region during the 19th century. The site preserves a way of life which dominated the anthracite coal region for more than 150 years.

Hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Village is open year-round. It is closed for all holidays except Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Admission rates to the Village and the Museum are $6 for adults, $5.50 for seniors (over age 65) and $4 for children 3-11. Walking tours - available from Memorial Day to Labor Day and on weekends in September and October -- are $1.50 per person. Walking tours are contingent on staff availability and weather conditions.

Eckley is located on Highland Road, near Freelend, three miles off Route 940 in Luzerne County, 10 miles east of downtown Hazleton. Please use "Eckley, PA" for online mapping or GPS technologies.

For additional information, call the Village at (570) 636-2070 or visit www.eckleyminersvillagemuseum.com. Eckley Miners' Village is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission with active support from the Eckley Miners' Village Associates.