I just learned of a fascinating photo exhibit that’s opening on March 8 at Uncharted Gallery at 66 Merrimack Street in Lowell. Local photographer Rachel Napear spent last summer following Civil War re-enactors around Massachusetts, photographing them at every stop.

The show will run for three weeks, from March 8 through March 30. Uncharted is open on Thursdays and Fridays from noon until 8pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 6pm. The official opening on Saturday, March 8 begins at 7pm with re-enactors parading down Merrimack Street at 7:30pm and a performance at 8pm in the gallery by the Civil War era band, Shades of Gray.

Lowell residents played prominent roles in the Civil War running from Luther Ladd and Addison Whitney who were the first soldiers killed by hostile fire to Ben Butler. Five thousand men from Lowell served in the military during the Civil War and 500 of them died while in the service. The war and its aftermath shaped the city in profound ways. This exhibit is a great opportunity to consider that while at the same time appreciating some outstanding photography.