Veterans Day dinner slated at Norlands

LIVERMORE — A unique and special tribute honoring local Civil War veterans will be held on Saturday, November 10, at the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center, 290 Norlands Road in Livermore.

Seatings for the Heritage dinner will be at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. followed by the program, featuring Samuel Benjamin Washburn (1824-1890). The cost is $20 per person and includes dinner and the living history program.

Enjoy a delicious dinner of ham, roasted vegetables from the Norlands’ garden, applesauce, rolls and dessert in the historic Farmer’s Cottage and then adjourn to the Ladies’ Parlor of the 1867 Washburn Mansion for this rare opportunity to hear readings from Civil War letters and diaries and songs sung with piano accompaniment in an authentic setting.

The program, presented by Norlands’ interpretive staff, will feature Samuel Benjamin Washburn (1824-1890), the seventh child of Israel and Martha Washburn. Samuel was the only seafaring son who shipped out at the age of 18 and later became master of his own vessel.

During the Civil War, Samuel was Acting Master in the U.S. Navy and served as an officer on the gunboat Galena. During a battle at Fort Darling, he was wounded in the hip, which left him lame for the rest of his life. Samuel returned home to Livermore to care for his aging father.

His Civil War Journal, covering the years 1860 to 1863, will be shared during the program.

Reservations are required. There is limited seating in this historic setting. Call 897-4366 or e-mail Norlands@Norlands.org by November 7, to purchase tickets.