The 1860s Civilian Society of Georgia
**Recreating authentic mid-1800s dance and civilian impressions**
The 1860s Civilian Society of Georgia is a family-oriented group of gentlemen, ladies and children dedicated to vintage dance and to creating refined citizen impressions in the world of mid-1800s living history. We attend and occasionally make presentations at Civil War battle re-enactments as well as doing programs at various festivals, state parks, historic sites, schools and libraries. Topics of presentation include etiquette, fashion, religion, women's roles, and period pass-times. Some of our members are able to demonstrate skills of the era such as blacksmithing, dulcimer playing, pressed flower art, the various needle arts and open hearth cooking. We also occasionally do first person and skits interpreting the history of the site and occasion. Our current nucleus is in Habersham and Stephens counties, but friends fall in with us when they can from a much wider area.
Our specialty is vintage dance! The dances we perform have been researched and documented to the era and the area. Our goal is to resurrect mid-1800s dances no longer commonly done in the Southeast. We practice approximately once a month. Interested individuals, please e-mail below.
Dances range from easy crowd participation dances to more complex performance dances and include: Pat-a-Cake Polka, Carolina Promenade, Re-enactment Version Virginia Reel, Lancers Quadrille, Schottische, Federal Schottische, Waltz Quadrille, Polka Gay Gordons, Polka Contra, Spanish Waltz, Sicilian Circle, Merry Haymakers, Waltz Cotillion, Basket and Star Quadrilles, Sir Roger de Coverly Traditional Reel, Gothic Dance, Soldier's Joy, Polka and Esmerelda/Galop, Flower Girl's Dance, Plain Quadrille, and Turning/American Waltz with various period variations
You are listening to "Grand March Medley" by Spare Parts - http://www.bfv.com/spareparts . We often perform to their elegant music!
Special thanks to Don Contreras for many of the photos on our site!
(Above, the group minus several families at Fort Hollingsworth-White's A Day at the Fort, May 2009.)
Past Performances:
- 2004 and 2006 Clarkesville Library Reading Program Wrap-Up - dance demo and fashion/etiquette
- 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Traveler's Rest "Christmas for Travelers" - dance demos, first person and various living history skills
- 2005 Toccoa Harvest Festival - dance demos
- 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 Fort Hollingsworth-White "A Day at the Fort" - dance demos and "The Missing Chair" skit
- 2006 SCV Georgia Division Reunion Dixie Extravaganza on Lake Lanier - dance demos
- 2006 and 2009 Old Milton Country Fair, Alpharetta - dance demos and fashion/etiquette
- 2007 Battle of Aiken, SC - dance demos
- 2007 SCV Confederate Memorial Month Celebration, Cleveland - dance demos
- 2007 Apple Blossom Festival with Habersham County Historical Society, Cornelia - children's toys, games and dance
- 2007 Battle of Resaca - "Civil War Women" first person presentation at ladies' tea and dance demo
- 2007 and 2008 Pioneer Days at Traveler's Rest - dance demos and various living history skills
- 2007 Gettysburg Remembrance Day at Pickett's Mill State Park, Dallas - dance demos, fashion/etiquette and blockade running
- 2007 Old Southern Christmas Weekend, Abbeville, SC - dance demos
- 2008 and 2009 Traveling by Candlelight, Traveler's Rest SHS, Toccoa - tour guiding and first person
- 2008 Battle of Oconee, Westminster, SC - dance demos
- 2008 Banks County Elementary School 4th and 5th grades - dance demo and fashion/etiquette
- 2008 Gainesville Kiwanis Club June Program - dance demo
- 2008 B*Atl - dance demo and fashion/etiquette
- 2008 Princeton Baptist Church, Honea Path, SC, Historic Homecoming - dance demo, fashion/etiquette and various living history skills
- 2008 Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church Historic Celebration, Clarkesville - dance demos and various living history skills
- 2009 Habersham County Hazel Grove Elementary 3rd and 4th grades - dance demo, fashion/etiquette, cornhusk dolls and dulcimers
Upcoming 2010 Events:
- DANCE DEMONSTRATION: "Our Common Heritage: 1860" living history at Robert Toombs House, Washington, GA -- April 3
- BALL: "Firing on Fort Sumter Ball," Spartanburg, SC -- April 24
- DANCE DEMONSTRATION: "Honoring the Blue and the Gray" parade & encampment at Helen, GA -- May 8
- DANCE DEMONSTRATION/LIVING HISTORY: "A Day at the Fort" at Fort Hollingsworth-White, Banks County, GA -- May 22
Events in bold indicate a max group effort event.
Interested in having The 1860s Civilian Society participate in your event?
We function much like a non-profit. Period dance demonstrations require a minimum of four couples. At re-enactments where we perform, we do request a registration waiver. For other events, gas and/or meal compensations are normally provided. Factors include number of performers, distance and type of event. Wayne and Denise Weimer, group founders and long-time re-enactors, would be happy to discuss your specific event needs.
The Weimers also serve as dance directors at various balls in the region. Benefits we offer include pre-ball dance classes, demonstration on the floor, unique but easy dances, and the ability to organize large crowds. For more information on joining the society, hosting the society, or dance instruction at your ball, e-mail Denise at dweimer1@windstream.net .