At Living History Farms, folks gather at the New Hope Cemetery to honor those who served and died in the Civil War. Photo: Living History Farms
Decoration Day began in 1868 as a way to honor the soldiers who had served and died in the Civil War. The tradition eventually evolved into what we now call Memorial Day.
This weekend, you can observe the holiday the old-fashioned way at Living History Farms. On Saturday, historic interpreters will reenact what a typical Decoration Day ceremony would have looked like in an Iowa small town in the 1870s, complete with a procession to the local cemetery and a few remarks from the townsfolk. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m.
After the quiet traditions, the day will liven up with the great American pastime, a game of baseball played by the rules of 1876. General museum admission gets you access to all the activities.
