On December 7, 2008, The Ruby Rail Cruisers visited the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum and Banning Residence Museum as part of our Christmas-Season celebration. Upon arrival at the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum in Wilmington we were greeted by women and men dressed in period clothing. It was like stepping back in time. There was several displays on the lawn in front of the museum depicting a typical civil war camp complete with the cooking quarters (and they were really cooking real food for the volunteers!), women Civil War fashions, and Civil War camp doctor set up (complete with the basic tools for surgery).

This special event ran from 11 am to 4 pm and was FREE for the Drum Barracks Museum and only $5 per person to tour the Banning Residence Museum where both museums were beautifully decorated in the Victorian Christmas style. There was a horse-drawn carriage (FREE) taking visitors back in forth to both museums. One truly felt like the clock turned back to the 19th century riding the carriage among folks dressed in period clothing. Lunch was available for purchase in the patio area at the Banning Residence Museum. For those just wanting cookies and hot apple cider that was available complimentary in the patio as well.

The West High School Choir sang while visitors waited in line to enter the Banning Museum, later that same choir was singing in the barn and also outside the museum shop. We were very lucky to have come across them at every stop they made (We did NOT plan it that way. It just worked out as we left one place and gone to another.) Also inside the Stage Coach Barn was a lady playing the Hammer Dulcimer and old-fashioned Christmas crafts for adults and children to enjoy. Children had the opportunity to write Santa inside the school house on Saturday from 11 to 1 pm, also on Sunday from 11 am to 2:30 pm. And Santa was seated upon an old buggy in front of the Banning Museum. The Yesteryear Dancers demonstrated the various dances that were common in the 19th century in front of the mansion just off to the side. The ambience was fantastic -- like living history!

The Drum Barracks Civil War Museum was the U.S. Army Headquarters for Southern California and the Arizona Territory from 1862 - 1871.

While men were fighting in the Civil War women were helping by serving as nurses, kitchen duty, and also the U.S. Sanitary Commission, which was a civilian relief organization that was developed to help meet the medical and social needs of the soldiers. There were quite a few medical firsts during the Civil War era. (In the field, women join the cause, and hospital innovations)

The Banning Mansion was built in 1864. It is 23 rooms that remains the finest example of domestic Greek Revival architecture in Southern California. The interiors of the home have been carefully restored since 1974. Today only 18 of the rooms are open to the public. The house is upon 20 acres of parkland that was acquired by the City of Los Angeles in 1927.

Phineas Banning, founder of the Port of Los Angeles (AKA: Father of the Port of Los Angeles), and was also one of the founders of the town of Wilmington, which was named for his birthplace. Banning operated a stage coach line between San Pedro and Wilmington, and later between Banning, California, which as you might have already guessed, was named in his honor, and Yuma, Arizona. During the Civil War, Mr. Banning ceded land to the Union Army to build a fort at Wilmington, the Drum Barracks. He was appointed a Brigadier General of the First Brigade of the militia, and used the title of general for the rest of his life. You may read more on General Banning at wikipedia.org.

Richard Coulter Drum, Brigadier General, United States Army
Drum Barracks named in his honor
He was born in Pennsylvania on May 28, 1825.
Find more information on General Drum on the Internet

Regular tour Schedule:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday:
10 am, 11 am, and 1 pm
Saturday and Sunday:
11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm
Closed Monday and Friday

Special tours can be arranged for groups of 6 or more by calling (310) 548-7509.

The Research Library is open by appointment only. Please call to schedule a visit.

Drum Barracks Civil War Museum
1052 Banning Boulevard
Wilmington, CA 90744
Phone: 310-548-7509
Email: susan.ogle@lacity.org (Susan Ogle, Director
Website: www.drumbarracks.org

Banning Residence Museum
401 East “M” Street
Wilmington, CA 90744
Phone: 310-548-7777
Website: www.banningmuseum.org

Norris Museum Shop
Banning Museum
Hours: 10 am to 4 pm

G&F Carriages 909-820-4600

The Band of the California Battalion
Dr. Gary Thomas Scott, Conductor
Dean of Creative Arts & Applied Sciences at Long Beach City College
Phone: 562-938-4446
Website: http://civilwarband.lbcc.cc.ca.us
Email: gscott@lbcc.cc.ca.us (Dr. Gary Scott)

Lunch was catered by Monarca’s Mexican Food

Bell Ringing -- David English

Driving Directions:
From the 110 Freeway - Exit Pacific Coast Highway east to Avalon Blvd. Take Avalon south (right) to “L” street. Turn left on “L” Street and go three blocks to Banning Blvd. Turn right on Banning Blvd. The museum is one block down on the left. Look for the large white building with a fenced parking lot. From the 710 Freeway - Exit Pacific Coast Highway west to Avalon Blvd. Take Avalon south (left) to “L” Street. Follow directions above.

West High School Choir	Drum Barracks
Horse-Drawn Carriage to the Banning Museum	Santa Visits The Banning Museum
19th Century Dancing	Drum Barracks Civil War Museum