Sassafrass Tea Festival and Civil War History in Vernon this April

Indiana has an interesting place in Civil War history, because we had one of the only two Civil War battles fought north of the Mason-Dixon line. (It took place in Corydon, our first state capitol.) So it’s not that unusual that Vernon, Indiana (Jennings County, about 17 miles east of Seymour on US 50) would play host to the Sassafrass Tea Festival and Civil War History on April 24 & 25.

Vernon, “the biggest little town in Indiana,” and the Jennings County Historical Society, are hosting the event. It runs from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm on Saturday the 25th, and 9:00 am – 4:00 pm on the 26th. Admission is free.

Civil War encampments will be open to the public, so visitors can check out the encampments, talk with authentic first person characters, and watch skits and skirmishes. There will be also be sutlers (suppliers of 19th century reenactment supplies and clothing), a working blacksmith shop, lace making and tatting demonstrations, and 1860s ladies fashions.

The museum will also be hosting their bake sale, selling hot meals and pies, and there will be free sassafrass tea and cookies for everyone.

Starting at 1:15 on both Saturday and Sunday are the Muscatatuck Park Mock Battles. Admission is $5.00 per vehicle, so be sure to double up with some friends.

On Sunday, it’s more of the same, in case you missed the first day, or if you just can’t get enough. At 3:00, the reenactors and sutlers will break camp, and the festival is done at 4:00.