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[Vince's Top Ten Reasons to Join the Civil War Explorers]

Welcome!

The Civil War Explorer Post 1863 was founded in 1997 and is sponsored by the Lancaster County Historical Society.  Membership is open to anyone (male or female) between the ages of 14 and 20 (inclusive) interested in the American Civil War and American history. The post elects its officers yearly, and the officers primarily run the organization.  Also, adult advisers play a key role in operating the post.  Activities for explorers include meetings with speakers, meetings for business, participation in local and national Civil War reenactments, visits to Civil War sites, and hosting a Victorian Christmas Ball.

Regular meetings are held at the Lancaster County Historical Society on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month (September through May) at 7:00 p.m.  Occasionally, we change our meeting dates, so please check the calendar on this website.

If you are of eligible age, live in the Lancaster area, and have a Civil War interest, the Civil War Explorer Post 1863 is for you (especially if you are thinking about getting into reenacting)!  

Please read further in our About Us section and browse through our Photo Album.

VINCE'S TOP TEN REASONS TO JOIN THE CIVIL WAR EXPLORERS:

10)  Lively fun and banter during meetings.

9)  More excuses/opportunities to visit Gettysburg.

8)  Awesome camping trips.

7)  Producing Victorian tableaux, a form of parlor entertainment characterized by still-life scenes depicting famous paintings or engravings. 

6)  Fascinating speakers on every Civil War topic imaginable.

5)  Being able to discuss the Civil War makes writing dreaded essays for college applications twice as easy.  It also provides topics for writing assignments in high school.  

4)  Civil War balls (dances) are ten times more fun than you might think. 

3)  Reenactments (local and national).

2)  The camaraderie of the members and the people you meet. 

1)  From studying the Civil War, you might better understand yourself and today’s world.  Perhaps you’ll encounter ways of thinking you never before consider.  Finally, you might find something to cling to for the rest of your life as something expressive of you.