Civil War on the Border

Civil War on the Border was another success! Thank you to all who visited, including the reenactors who make this event possible and the wonderful Mahaffie Volunteers. Thank you to our sponsors: PepsiAmericas, Comfort Suites of Olathe, the Kansas City Star, the Olathe Daily News, Johnson's County Gazette, Olathe Ford, Tractor Supply Company, Mr. Goodcents on Kansas City Road, Price Chopper South in Olathe, Best Buy at 119th and Strang Line Road. A special thank you to the Kansas Historical Society for the loan of the 8th Kansas Infantry battle flag and to the Kansas Humanities Council for the presentation of Clarina Nichols. We greatly appreciate everyone's support! 

Civil War on the Border Returns for 12th Year April 19 & 20 at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop

All activities will be held at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop, 1200 Kansas City Road, and in the City's Stagecoach Park, just south of the historic site. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 19 and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 20.

A free shuttle will bring attendees to the event from public parking located at Olathe North High School. The event is free, but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children will help pay for event costs.

More than 300 reenactors involved in cavalry, artillery, and infantry units representing Union and Confederate forces will encamp throughout the weekend and recreate a battle at 3 p.m. on Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday in Stagecoach Park. A returning favorite, the United States Army's Fort Riley General's Mounted Color Guard is scheduled to demonstrate cavalry tactics both days.

Enjoy period music by the Gum Springs Serenaders during the day and at the participants' Saturday evening Civil War dance - to which the public is invited to attend. A nineteenth century church service will be held at 10 am on Sunday. Children will enjoy period games and other activities, and a variety of living history and military demonstrations will take place all weekend. Take a stagecoach ride in Stagecoach Park, and get your image taken at the Old-Time Photo Booth.

A special guest this year, Clarina Nichols, abolitionist and woman's right activist of the 1860s, will address the public from the back porch of the Mahaffie home each day at 1:00pm. Diane Eickhoff portrays Clarina and appears courtesy of the Kansas Humanities Council's History Alive program.

The event will also feature food vendors as well as sutlers selling 19th Century merchandise.

Here is a partial listing of activities, activities are subject to change, please check for the latest information!

Saturday, April 19 10:00am-4:00pm, Shuttles from Olathe North 9:30am-5:00pm 

11:00am  Thomas and Sarah Johnson will speak about their last night in Johnson County-Heritage Center

12:30pm  A book signing by Bill McFarland, author of Keep the Flag to the Front-the Story of the Eighth Kansas Volunteer Infantry -Heritage Center

1:00pm  Clarina Nichols by Diane Eickhoff, presented by the Kansas Humanities Council-Back Porch of the Mahaffie Home

1:30pm  Ladies Tea, presented by the Mahaffie Staff and Volunteers-Heritage Center 

3:00pm  Battle-Stagecoach Park

Sunday, April 20 11:00am-3:00pm, Shuttles from Olathe North 10:30am-4:00pm

10:00am 19th Century Church Service

11:00am  Thomas and Sarah Johnson will speak about their last night in Johnson County-Heritage Center

12:30pm  A book signing by Bill McFarland, author of Keep the Flag to the Front-the Story of the Eighth Kansas Volunteer Infantry -Heritage Center

1:00pm  Clarina Nichols by Diane Eickhoff, presented by the Kansas Humanities Council-Back Porch of the Mahaffie Home

2:30pm Battle-Stagecoach Park

The event is sponsored by the City of Olathe, The Olathe Daily News, The Kansas City Star, Johnson's County Gazette, South Olathe Price Chopper, Comcast, Mr. Goodcents on Kansas City Road, Olathe Ford, Tractor Supply Company and Comfort Suites of Olathe.

Afternoon battle from Civil War on the Border 2007

Clarina Nichols, portrayed by Diane Eickhoff will present at 1:00pm each day from the back porch of the Mahaffie home. Photo courtesy of the Kansas Humanities Council.

2008 Reenactor Waiver Form (fillable PDF) - fill in the information on this form, save it to your computer, and then email it to Jason Bentley or print it to bring with you.

2008 Rules and Regulations (PDF)

2008 Unit Registration Form (fillable PDF) - fill in the information on this form, save it to your computer, and then email it to Jason Bentley or print it to bring with you.