Cannons will thunder and sailors and Marines will converge on the banks of the Neuse River once again on Nov. 19 and 20, as the CSS Neuse State Historic Site in Kinston hosts its annual Civil War living history program. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday evening, and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Members of several North Carolina and Virginia reenactment/living history organizations will be demonstrating all aspects of naval life including navigational techniques, daily shipboard living, and other nautical skills. This year’s program will feature more Navy and Marines, as well as the addition of new civilian interpretations. Old South Blacksmiths will once again demonstrate how various items were made for the ship and for artillery units in the blacksmith shops in Kinston. They will also have some items for sale to the general public. There will be other sutlers/craftsmen at the program as well, including Heritage Leathers.

This year’s program will once more offer visitors a rare opportunity — a special artillery firing after dark Saturday. Gates will reopen at 6:30 p.m. and the demonstration will take place at 7 p.m. Visitors should bring a flashlight to help them find their way to the demonstration area. Numerous field artillery pieces will be present, including the bronze 12-pounder napoleon from Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach.

The site orientation video, tours of the ship, and the site gift shop will be available both days. All activities are free of charge, but donations are accepted.

The CSS Neuse State Historic Site and Governor Richard Caswell Memorial is an agency of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources and is located at 2612 West Vernon Avenue in Kinston, next to Massey Toyota and across from Auto Brite. Signs mark the directions from U.S. 70.

For more information, contact Andrew Duppstadt at 252-522-2091 or send an e-mail to: