The Southern Grays are a progressive living
history group that provides public education programs about the Civil War and pre-Civil War periods at various National Park Service (NPS),
state, and local historical sites. Our primary events are living history demonstrations for the public at these historical sites.
We sometimes participate in quality re-enactments, memorial events, preservation activities, and video productions such as the Manassas
NPS visitor center film in 2001. The Southern Grays portray Confederate infantry and artillery of all periods of the war
(including documented first Manassas uniforms), pre-war Virginia militia, civilians, and occasionally Federal infantry and artillery.
We have well-established relationships with many
NPS and historical sites. The Southern Grays enjoy privileges unavailable to most people interested in the Civil War because these sites
have entrusted us to support their interpretive programs: Our group has slept on all the NPS battlefields and historical sites for which
we provide programs. We usually camp “campaign style” (no tents, etc.) at these sites as appropriate to the scenario, but we have spent
the night inside historical structures such as the Dunker church in Sharpsburg and the Henry house on the Manassas battlefield.
Our organization has had opportunities unique even among most living historians. For example, we have fired original Napoleon cannon
from Confederate Avenue on the Gettysburg battlefield and muskets from the trenches at the Petersburg, VA NPS site.
Members of the Southern Grays have been under arms in Devil’s Den in Gettysburg for our Confederate sharpshooter program.
Many of our members live in the northern Shenandoah Valley,
Northern Virginia, and Mid-Atlantic region. Gentlemen interested in membership in the Southern Grays should inquire by email message. Please visit
the “Contact Us” page of our website for an email link to send a message to us. New members are equipped with the necessary items for our many
different impressions until they can obtain them over time.
