FORT WRIGHT, Ky. (AP) – Visitors to a northern Kentucky museum next Sunday can experience Christmas as it was celebrated during the Civil War.

On Dec. 12 from noon till 5 p.m., the James A. Ramage Civil War Museum in Fort Wright is holding its sixth annual Civil War Christmas, and the 20,000th visitor is expected to pay a visit during the event, with prizes including books and posters from the gift shop.

Museum board Vice President Bob Clements told The Kentucky Enquirer that military records indicate the 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery was stationed on part of what is now the museum grounds and would have celebrated Christmas there.

Visitors will be able to tour the living history campsite to hear and see presentations showing how Civil War soldiers spent their Christmas. Civil War re-enactors and living history presenters will be on hand, and the museum will be decorated as if it were Christmas of 1862.

During the celebration, children are able to make ornaments from hardtack, a flour mixture resembling a large cracker and frequently the mainstay of Civil War soldiers’ diets. On display will be 15 to 20 letters soldiers sent their families during the holidays. A cut tree will be decorated with ornaments that would have been used in the mid-19th century, and the tree will be donated to a local nonprofit group.

The Hills of Kentucky Dulcimers will perform from 2-5 p.m. Also, Santa will make an appearance from 1-3 p.m. The museum’s gift shop will be open for those seeking unique holiday presents.

The Fifth Annual Civil War Christmas is sponsored by the City of Fort Wright and the James A. Ramage Civil War Museum. For additional details, visit www.fortwright.com.

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Information from: The Kentucky Enquirer, http://www.nky.com. Auction Central News International contributed to this report.

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AP-CS-12-06-10 0401EST