History
A Civil War Band was formed in Marengo, Iowa in 1992 for the centennial
celebration of the Iowa County Courthouse. The Marengo Civil War Band
had its official beginning in 1994, providing music for the opening and
closing of the Hoover Museum's Civil War exhibit in West Branch. Since
that time, they have appeared at Hopkinton's Civil War Days, Usher's Ferry
Civil War reenactments in Cedar Rapids, and various festivals in the eastern
and central Iowa areas, including the opening of the 2002 Civil War exhibit at
the State Historical Society in Des Moines. For the past seven years, they
have played at the Hoover Museum on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor
Day to standing-room-only crowds. In August 2004 and 2005, they participated in
the Boscobel, Wisconsin Civil War reenactment and in September of those years, the band
performed at the historic opera house in What Cheer, Iowa.
When everyone is available, the band has 13 members, ranging in age from 25 to
70. Several in the band are presently teaching in the public
schools or are retired band directors. Many have one or more
ancestors who participated in the War Between the States. The Marengo
Civil War Band is composed of brass and percussion players who share a deep
interest in music and the Civil War. This is the only
Civil War band in the state of Iowa. The music played is authentic and
was performed during the Civil War. The band has made a CD of their
favorite tunes. Contact Gary Huxford, 503 West Pine Street, Marengo,
Iowa 52301--Phone 319-642-3891 or jhuxford@hotmail.com
for more information.
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