BLOOMFIELD — The Civil War will be showcased for the Fourth of July during a living history event organized by a Bloomfield committee.

The demonstration and open house will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at Center Brook Manor, 8745 state Route 45, south of Bloomfield Center.

Participants portraying Civil War soldiers will demonstrate marching, drilling, handling artillery and treating battlefield wounds. Civil War relics also will be on display inside the Center Brook recruiting station.

Chad Slater of Butler, Pa., a member of the 63rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, said two cannons will be fired each hour as part of a living history demonstration. He said eight members from the volunteer infantry will participate.

“We will show the proper way to load and fire artillery such as muskets. People can see the different weapons that were used during the Civil War,” Slater said, noting there will be mock simulations of battles.

Paul Sutliff of Farmington, also a member of the volunteer infantry, said he and others were invited to be part of the event and portray infantry members. Slater has been a Civil War reenactor for 31 years, and Sutliff for about 30 years, and will be among those in the Civil War encampment.

“We want to share with the public our knowledge of what we have learned over the years about the Civil War and the soldiers. This is about keeping history alive. This is a hobby that we enjoy,” Slater said.

He said the Civil War was a pivotal time in American history that is not often portrayed.

“It is important that we learn what these soldiers went through and how things were done back then. This is a vital piece of history with stories that need to be told,” Slater said.

Sutliff said he hopes people have an appreciation of what generations before them did, and he hopes to help educate them and carry on the message.

There will be both outdoor and indoor displays of Civil War items. Inside the Center Brook building will be muskets and rifles, Civil War medical items and other artifacts.

Slater said the historic house has a lot of local history,

“This is a gem right here in everyone’s backyard that many people drive by and don’t know about,” Sutliff said.

Slater said people will be able to move and load the cannons and guns. He said the cannons during the Civil War were pulled by horses. Sutliff said he will speak on the uniforms the soldiers wore.

Pat Emig of Saegertown, Pa., said also participating will be members of the 150th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment, who will discuss medical care for the wounded soldiers. Slater noted that fewer people are becoming reenactors.

“We don’t have as many young folks wanting to get involved,” he said, adding that Civil War soldiers were very young and in their 20s and 30s.

“As living historians, we are trying to bring that part of history back to life,” Slater said. “We hope to get more people involved as Civil War living historians to help us carry on the legacy of these soldiers and civilians.”

Roger Peterson, owner of Center Brook Manor and a Bloomfield Township trustee, said he hopes visitors leave with a greater appreciation for those who fought during the Civil War.

The event is free, but donations will be accepted.