(Buford, Ga., Nov. 26, 2012) – The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center (GEHC) invites you to step back in time and participate in the holiday traditions of Christmas during the Civil War. Join the Union and Confederate troops on the front lines and on the home front at the fifth annual Civil War holiday program at McDaniel Farm on Saturday, December 8, 2012, from 10:00am until 4:00pm. 

“This is a great family event for those who desire to learn and experience how the Civil War impacted Atlanta area families – especially during the holiday season,” said Jason West, GEHC’s director of programming and development. 

The program will take guests back in time to December 1862 at McDaniel Farm as E.W. and A.W. McDaniel are on furlough to spend Christmas with the family. Participants will meet local Gwinnett citizens who participated in the war in nearby Atlanta and other locations, engage in a drill with Civil War soldiers, visit their camp sites, and participate in bayonet practice.  

Guests can also make traditional holiday ornaments for the soldiers’ tree and their own, learn about the McDaniel family history, have their photo made with Father Christmas, listen and participate in the singing of carols, as well as participate in a festive hayride! 

The Civil War holiday event is sure to be fun for the whole family! Admission cost is $5 per person for Gwinnett County residents and GEHC members and $8 per person for out of county residents.  Children ages two and under are free. Guests can pre-register online at http://www.gwinnettehc.org/ or pay at the admission gate the day of the event. Event parking is available on site. McDaniel Farm is located at 3251 McDaniel Road, Duluth, GA 30096.  

For more information about this event and the History and Culture Program of the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, call 770.814.4920 or visit http://www.gwinnettehc.org/.