Step Back in Time: Free Civil War Living History Activities on Alcatraz Island

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Activities on the island begin with the arrival of the first boat on the island and continue throughout the day until 3 pm. All activities are free and are designed to give the visitor a sense of what life was like on Alcatraz when it was an important seacoast defensive fort during the American Civil War. These activities include:

  1) Periodic tours of Fort Alcatraz, showing the remnants of the fort, its history and its role in California’s contribution to the Union cause;
  2) Military drills, as would have been done by Union troops on the island;
  3) Union recruitment - find out what the requirements were to enlist in the Union Army
  4) Women’s roles - see how women applied their skills in sewing, weaving, medicine, laundry and cooking to support the Union troops

The event is free and open to all, but you must purchase a ferry ticket from Alcatraz City Cruises.