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Greenfield Village Hosts Civil War Remembrance Weekend

DEARBORN (AP) - Greenfield Village is holding a "Civil War Remembrance" as part of Memorial Day weekend events that mark the sesquicentennial of the end of the war as well as recall the nation's mourning following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

More than 450 re-enactors are expected to be on hand to create an 1860s war encampment from Saturday through Monday in Dearborn. There will be tactical demonstrations with horses, live music and special presentations from historians.

"For lots of them, this is kind of a milestone — the end of four years of all sorts of massive, important events," said Jim Johnson, senior manager of venue events and programs at Greenfield Village.

After Lincoln was shot and killed on April 15, 1865, his body was carried across the country for viewing by mourners. Visitors to Greenfield Village will see black bunting on historical buildings surrounding its Village Green like would have been seen 150 years ago.

"They are going to be decked out, but not in a festive way," Johnson said.

At the Village Pavilion, there will be a chance for visitors to research their ancestors who might have taken part in the war. Hours at Greenfield Village will be extended on Saturday. And on Monday, a "Memorial Day Commemoration" ceremony is planned on the Village Green.

Greenfield Village is part of The Henry Ford, which includes Henry Ford Museum. For more information, visit www.thehenryford.org.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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