On a sultry late winter afternoon in 1865, soldiers from the U.S. 2nd Cavalry and the 2nd U.S. Colored Infantry clashed with F.A. Hendry’s Confederate Cow Cavalry on a remote prairie in Southwest Florida.
On Saturday, January 5, and Sunday, January 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (both days), this battle will be fought again at Collier County Museum’s Immokalee location, offering an opportunity to relive the events of that historic day, visit the soldiers’ encampments, and see history come to life in Immokalee. Visitors will learn about Florida’s participation in the Battle of Olustee, Battle of Fort Myers, and Battle of Natural Bridge from living historians.
Activities for the family will include tours of the historic Roberts home site, a demonstration of Civil War-era games, battles, a barbeque, and more.
WHAT: Immokalee Pioneer Museum presents the fourth annual ‘Raid on Gopher Ridge,’ a civil war
encampment and reenactment
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch - 1215 Roberts Avenue - Immokalee, FL 34145; at the intersection of Roberts Avenue and State Road 29 (call Immokalee Ranch at 239.658.2466)
COST: $5.00 for adults (12 and older); free for children (younger than 12); $2.00 for the students
About Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch:
Originally home to cattleman Robert Roberts and his family, this 15-acre living history museum offers a rare glimpse of daily life on an actual Southwest Florida ranch from the early 1900s. Displays and nineteen carefully preserved buildings tell the story of those who struggled to tame a sprawling wilderness on the edge of the Big Cypress Swamp at the turn of the last century. Located at 1215 Roberts Avenue - Immokalee, FL 34145. Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (239.658.2466). More information is available at www.CollierGov.net/Museum, or call Collier County Museum at 239.774.8476.
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