Custer 170th Birthday Celebration, Historical Holiday Walking Tour, and Civil War Music Concert by Kristina Austin Scarcelli

Hometown History Tours is pleased to announce a special December 5th tour and celebration to commemorate the 170th birthday of Civil War General George Armstrong Custer, commander of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade and America’s youngest general.

Custer 170th Birthday Celebration and Historical Hometown Holiday Tour
Saturday, December 5, 2009
10 AM to 3:30 PM

General Custer invites you to celebrate his 170th birthday in his adopted hometown of Monroe, Michigan.  We are pleased to announce that the esteemed Governor and Mrs. Austin Blair and United States Marshall Ward Hill Lamon will be in attendance to commemorate this momentous occasion. Won’t you join us too?

Steve Alexander as General George Armstrong Custer.

Celebrate the General’s 170th birthday by traveling with him through the streets of downtown Monroe, Michigan, the historical city he once called home.

Reminisce with “the General” as he points out significant sites from his past such as the street corner where his favorite barbershop once stood, the shoe store (still operating today) where he purchased his boots, the church he joined in order to woo the charming and eligible local lass, Elizabeth Clift Bacon, and where he later wed her in what was called the “wedding of the century”, and the restored home he and his wife later shared.

Narrated bus tour includes lunch with the General at one of his favorite watering spots. According to local lore, Custer swore off alcohol after embarrassing himself in front of the esteemed Judge Bacon and his lovely daughter Libbie following a raucous celebratory evening at this particular establishment.

Tour concludes with a special birthday celebration at the Monroe County Historical Museum’s Custer exhibit.

Two brief presentations, Custer’s Impact on Monroe – Past and Present (David Ingall, MCHM assistant director) and Revered or Reviled – The Custer Controversy Confronted (speaker TBA) and remarks by the General will be followed with a Civil War concert by Kristina Austin Scarcelli.

The former Mrs. Michigan will sing a haunting rendition of Faded Coat of Blue and other selections from her soon-to-be released CD Daughter of the 24th Michigan.

Kristina is the descendent of two Civil War soldiers. Her Great Great grandfather was a private in the 24th Michigan Infantry and was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg. His brother (Kristina’s Great Great Grand Uncle) served in Company A of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, part of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade led by Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer.

The audience will join Kristina in a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday as the General cuts the cake with his favorite captured Confederate sabre.

Kristina Austin Scarcelli Civil War Music Concert

(Birthday celebration is open to the public, but tour participants enjoy VIP reserved seating).

Tour cost: $35 per person includes narrated, one-hour bus tour, lunch*, VIP seating at Custer Birthday Celebration, commemorative Custer’s Monroe inspired holiday ornament, and birthday cake. *Soft drinks/coffee included. Cash bar available,

Bus tour only/ unreserved seating at Custer Birthday Celebration – $20 Adults, $15 Seniors/Students.

Tickets on sale now! Advance Registration Required.

Proceeds benefit the Monroe County Historical Museum’s commitment to provide quality programming leading up to and throughout the Civil War Sesquicentennial.

For more information, or to make payment via mail, contact:

Hometown History Tours
734 642-5712

hometownhistorytours.com

Period attire encouraged but not required

Bus tour departs form the Monroe County Historical Museum, 126 South Monroe Street, at 10 AM, 11 AM, Noon, 1 PM. $35 ticketholders will want to board the 1o or 11 AM bus.

First two bus tours are narrated by none other than renowned Custer living historian Steve Alexander. Proclaimed by United States Congress as the “foremost Custer living historian,” Alexander has appeared as the General in over 20 television docudramas featured on the Arts & Entertainment, Discovery and History channels. Both the Michigan and Ohio Senates have acknowledged him for his lifetime work and portrayal of America’s most controversial military leader.

Enjoy the ambiance of a historical American city decked out in its holiday finery. While at the museum, don’t forget to check out the annual Christmas Tree Festival.

For more information, please visit: http://hometownhistorytours.com/2009/10/30/custer-170th-birthday-celebration-and-historic-hometown-holiday-tour/