NCWM Announces Spring/Summer Living History Schedule
(Harrisburg, PA) -The National Civil War Museum today announced their living history schedule for the 2010 spring/summer season. Encampments include Confederate artillery, Confederate & Union infantry units, loading and firing demonstrations and much more!
Living history schedule*:
May 29-30 Encampment of the Midway Southern Guard (15th Alabama)
June 19-20 Encampment of the North & South – Federal Generals Corps & Lee’s Lieutenants
July 10-11 Encampment of the 1st Maryland (CSA)
July 17-18 Recruiting tent with the 142nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry
July 24-25 Encampment of the 4th Maryland Light Artillery (CSA) & the 42nd Mississippi, Company F
July/Aug. 31-1 Encampment of the 31st Virginia, Company C
August 7-8 Encampment of the Federal Generals Corps
August 14-15 Encampment of the United States Colored Troops
August 21-22 General Longstreet’s Encampment
August 28-29 Encampment of the 4th Maryland (CSA)
Sept. 18-19 Encampment of Purcell’s Battery
Artillery demonstrations at 11am, 1pm & 3pm
Museum visitors will see the flash and smell the smoke of Civil War muskets and rifles. Visitors are encouraged to visit the camps and ask living historians questions about their attire, food rations and daily life. Most infantry groups perform loading and firing demonstrations each day.
*Programs are weather contingent. Visitors should check the Museum’s website for more information and updates to this schedule, as they are subject to change.
About The National Civil War Museum
Opened in February 2001, The National Civil War Museum is a non-profit educational institution dedicated solely to the American Civil War. It is the largest Civil War museum that addresses the war from both the Northern and Southern perspective, and from both a military and civilian perspective. The Museum protects some of the nation's treasures, including General Robert E. Lee's personal Bible, and more than 24,000 artifacts, documents and photos, worth an estimated $20 million. Admission to the Museum is $9.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors, and $7.00 for students with reduced rates for children and families. The Museum offers complimentary ample parking. For more information, please call 717.260.1861, or visit the Museum’s website at www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
New Director Named to the Gettysburg College Civil War Institute
Gettysburg College has named Peter Carmichael its new director of the Civil War Institute and Robert Fluhrer Professor of Civil War Studies.
Carmichael is currently the Eberly Family Professor of Civil War Studies at West Virginia University. Michael Birkner, who is the Benjamin Franklin Professor of the Liberal Arts and a professor of history, served as interim director for the Civil War Institute this year. Gabor Boritt, who was the founding director, retired in 2009.
"The Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College occupies an important place in thought about and study of the American Civil War,” said Gettysburg College’s Interim Provost James White. “As the CWI's new director, Dr. Peter Carmichael, a noted historian of this epic conflict, will nurture and advance the Institute and work to make its programs ever better."
“I am very excited about the Civil War Institute and building on this incredible legacy of Gabor Boritt,” said Carmichael. “There’s no other place like Gettysburg College to be a public intellectual and where you can bring together students, scholars and the public to study the Civil War. I have visited here numerous times, but to think about this place to live in and to teach is extraordinary. I am honored.”
Carmichael has published a number of books, most recently a study of Southern college students during the Civil War era, “The Last Generation: Young Virginians in Peace, War, and Reunion (2005).” He is currently researching the experience and wartime representation of Confederate slaves, and how the mythical idea of loyal African Americans defending the South animates current cultural wars over "Southern heritage." Carmichael earned a doctorate and a master’s from the Pennsylvania State University, and a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.
For over 28 years, The Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College has hosted visiting educators and students, sponsored conferences, lectures, concerts, and movie premieres, as well as other educational programs on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. Each summer, the CWI hosts hundreds of Civil War enthusiasts, scholars and prominent historians for an annual conference in Gettysburg. The Institute also co-sponsors the annual Dedication Day, Nov. 19, which is the anniversary of Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address,” with the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania and the Gettysburg National Military Park. CWI also co-sponsors and publishes the annual Robert Fortenbaugh Lecture. In addition, the institute coordinates the annual Michael Shaara $5,000 Book Prize for Civil War fiction.
Founded in 1832, Gettysburg College is a highly selective four-year residential college of liberal arts and sciences with a strong academic tradition that includes Rhodes Scholars, a Nobel laureate and other distinguished scholars among its alumni. The college enrolls 2,600 undergraduate students and is located on a 200-acre campus adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Museum Curator Nears End of Picket Duty
Curator has been living the life of a Civil War soldier for two weeks
(Harrisburg, PA) – Despite two blizzards that blanketed the Harrisburg area with almost four feet of snow, the curator of collections for The National Civil War Museum has continued on his mission to live the life of a Civil War soldier on the picket line 24 hours a day for a 2-week period. Titled, “In Their Footsteps: Walking the Picket Line”, Kelley has been residing in reproduction winter quarters on the Museum grounds in an effort to raise awareness and funds for The National Civil War Museum’s education department since February 6. He wraps up his duty on Saturday, February 20 around 12:00pm. Afterward, Kelley will venture into Gettysburg to have a tintype photograph taken to commemorate his experience.
Kelley, a former Marine and native of Vermont, has survived through two winter storms, extreme winds, green wood that wouldn’t burn, a missing door, and marches through giant snow drifts into areas such as downtown Harrisburg, Camp Curtin, Fort Couch and the Lincoln Cemetery. During the Museum’s Community Free Day on Saturday, February 13, Kelley was greeted by President Lincoln and General Grant, as they applauded his efforts. He has also received a steady stream of visitors with many questions during his encampment, and has given more than a dozen interviews to various national and local media outlets.
“My experiences during the last two weeks have made me develop a new and heightened appreciation for what Civil War soldiers endured during winter encampment. While I have only been in winter quarters for two weeks, these soldiers would have lived in this difficult conditions for a much longer period of time, meanwhile also worrying about being shot or plagued with disease…this is only a snap-shot of what they went through and I am deeply humbled,” stated Kelley.
During this time, Kelley has kept a daily journal to document his experiences for the world, which have been imported into a blog created and maintained by local students from Hershey High School. The Museum’s Facebook page has received a dramatic increase in the number of fans since Kelley began his quest with more than 1,560 fans and counting. He has also acquired followers on Twitter. Videos posted on Facebook, the blog and YouTube have included topics such as Kelley’s experiences during the blizzards, cooking lessons, his marches, and an interview with a local historian about Civil War soldiers buried in a nearby cemetery. Fans and followers have shown their support of Kelley with comments such as, “this is a fantastic thing you are doing,” and “love, love, love the journal posts!”
Money that has been raised as a result of this initiative is being directed to the Museum’s education department. CEO David Patterson commented, “Although donations received for “In Their Footsteps” have not quite been what we had hoped for, the exposure The National Civil War Museum has received has been tremendous, as well as the outpouring of support for Brett from the community.” Patterson continued, “Although Brett’s duty will end on Saturday, it is our hope that individuals will continue to read his journal entries and watch his videos, as they are all part of the educational experience we offer here.” Donations can be made through the end of the year on the Museum’s website: www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org or by calling 717.260.1861 x. 1108.
About The National Civil War Museum
Opened in February 2001, The National Civil War Museum is a non-profit educational institution dedicated solely to the American Civil War. It is the largest Civil War museum that addresses the war from both the Northern and Southern perspective, and from both a military and civilian perspective. The Museum protects some of the nation's treasures, including General Robert E. Lee's personal Bible, and more than 24,000 artifacts, documents and photos, worth an estimated $20 million. Admission to the Museum is $9.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors, and $7.00 for students with reduced rates for children and families. The Museum offers complimentary ample parking. For more information, please call 717.260.1861, or visit the Museum’s website at www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Registration Open for Gettysburg National Military Park Lecture Series
Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Foundation are proud to present the 2010 Gettysburg Seminar, to be held in Gettysburg on April 10-11. The theme of the seminar is the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg and the end of the Pennsylvania Campaign. Presentations will provide seminar participants with a variety of subjects from the experience of Robert E. Lee's retreat to the Potomac River, to the enormous job of caring for the wounded, an evaluation of the generals’ decisions, and the cleanup of the battlefield.
The 2010 Gettysburg Seminar will begin on Saturday morning with a series of lectures to take place in the ballroom of the historic Gettysburg Hotel on Lincoln Square in downtown Gettysburg. The lectures will be followed with a variety of battlefield walking tours and bus visits to important sites relative to the aftermath of the battle and campaign.
Saturday night's social will begin with "An Evening with the Painting: The Gettysburg Cyclorama," a guided presentation about the famous cyclorama painting of "Pickett's Charge" given by Licensed Battlefield Guide Sue Boardman, followed by "Our Hearts Were Touched With Fire," a living history presentation featuring the voices of those who experienced the battle and its aftermath, first hand. The personalities presented will include: Henry Eyster Jacobs, who was an 18 year old Gettysburg College student at the time of the battle; Sallie Myers, a Gettysburg school teacher at the time of the battle; a composite character representing a Confederate soldier; nd Almira Russell Hancock, wife of Union General Winfield Scott Hancock.
The seminar will conclude on Sunday in the ballroom of the Hotel Gettysburg with a final series of lectures focusing on the experiences of soldiers and civilians in the horrific aftermath of the battle.
The registration fee for the Gettysburg Seminar is $90 per person and the seminar is limited to 240 participants. For a complete schedule of lectures, field programs, and presenters and to register go to the park’s website at:
http://www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/2010-gettysburg-seminar.htm
Information is also available by calling Park Ranger Evangelina Rubalcava (717) 334-1124, ext. 3251.
The 2010 Gettysburg Seminar will begin on Saturday morning with a series of lectures to take place in the ballroom of the historic Gettysburg Hotel on Lincoln Square in downtown Gettysburg. The lectures will be followed with a variety of battlefield walking tours and bus visits to important sites relative to the aftermath of the battle and campaign.
Saturday night's social will begin with "An Evening with the Painting: The Gettysburg Cyclorama," a guided presentation about the famous cyclorama painting of "Pickett's Charge" given by Licensed Battlefield Guide Sue Boardman, followed by "Our Hearts Were Touched With Fire," a living history presentation featuring the voices of those who experienced the battle and its aftermath, first hand. The personalities presented will include: Henry Eyster Jacobs, who was an 18 year old Gettysburg College student at the time of the battle; Sallie Myers, a Gettysburg school teacher at the time of the battle; a composite character representing a Confederate soldier; nd Almira Russell Hancock, wife of Union General Winfield Scott Hancock.
The seminar will conclude on Sunday in the ballroom of the Hotel Gettysburg with a final series of lectures focusing on the experiences of soldiers and civilians in the horrific aftermath of the battle.
The registration fee for the Gettysburg Seminar is $90 per person and the seminar is limited to 240 participants. For a complete schedule of lectures, field programs, and presenters and to register go to the park’s website at:
http://www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/2010-gettysburg-seminar.htm
Information is also available by calling Park Ranger Evangelina Rubalcava (717) 334-1124, ext. 3251.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Something Must Be Done About This!
The Longstreet Society sent this along in hopes that we will spread the word and write a letter or send an email to help set at least this record straight.
The Houghton Mifflin publication The American Heritage College Dictionary (4th edition, 2007) contains the following entry:
Longstreet, James, 1821-1904. American Confederate general whose delay in carrying out orders contributed to the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg (1863).
We'd like Houghton Mifflin to know that this entry is inaccurate and ask them to change the entry for the next edition of their dictionary. Please send an email to dictionaries@hmco.com or drop a note to:
Dictionary Editorial Department
Houghton Mifflin Company
222 Berkeley Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
If they get enough polite and sincere emails and letters from us, they might take notice and make the change. If would be best if we all wrote our own original emails but, if you prefer, you can cut and paste this note into your email.
Dear Houghton Mifflin Editorial Department-
Your publications have outstanding reputations as learning and teaching tools and we know that you take pride in them. But the entry for General James Longstreet in your American Heritage College Dictionary is factually inaccurate and based on what is now accepted as misrepresentation and bad history. We of the Longstreet Society sincerely hope that you will investigate the matter and update the entry to reflect the modern and accepted historical view that Longstreet served General Lee, his soldiers and the Confederate cause appropriately and admirably at Gettysburg.(Suggested sources-Lee's Tarnished Lieutenant: James Longstreet and His Place in Southern History by William Garrett Piston, University of Georgia Press, 1987; I Have Been a Soldier All My Life by Carol Reardon, Farnsworth Military Impressions, 1997.)
For more information or to become a member of the Longstreet Society, write P.O.Box 191 Gainesville GA 30503, call 770-539-9005 or email old_pete@bellsouth.net.
Thanks!
Kristie Poehler, Editor
Battlefield Journal
The Houghton Mifflin publication The American Heritage College Dictionary (4th edition, 2007) contains the following entry:
Longstreet, James, 1821-1904. American Confederate general whose delay in carrying out orders contributed to the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg (1863).
We'd like Houghton Mifflin to know that this entry is inaccurate and ask them to change the entry for the next edition of their dictionary. Please send an email to dictionaries@hmco.com or drop a note to:
Dictionary Editorial Department
Houghton Mifflin Company
222 Berkeley Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
If they get enough polite and sincere emails and letters from us, they might take notice and make the change. If would be best if we all wrote our own original emails but, if you prefer, you can cut and paste this note into your email.
Dear Houghton Mifflin Editorial Department-
Your publications have outstanding reputations as learning and teaching tools and we know that you take pride in them. But the entry for General James Longstreet in your American Heritage College Dictionary is factually inaccurate and based on what is now accepted as misrepresentation and bad history. We of the Longstreet Society sincerely hope that you will investigate the matter and update the entry to reflect the modern and accepted historical view that Longstreet served General Lee, his soldiers and the Confederate cause appropriately and admirably at Gettysburg.(Suggested sources-Lee's Tarnished Lieutenant: James Longstreet and His Place in Southern History by William Garrett Piston, University of Georgia Press, 1987; I Have Been a Soldier All My Life by Carol Reardon, Farnsworth Military Impressions, 1997.)
For more information or to become a member of the Longstreet Society, write P.O.Box 191 Gainesville GA 30503, call 770-539-9005 or email old_pete@bellsouth.net.
Thanks!
Kristie Poehler, Editor
Battlefield Journal
Friday, December 18, 2009
Gettysburg NMP Offers Winter Lecture Series--Put these on your Calendar!
Weapons of the battle, Lee’s retreat and Meade’s pursuit from Gettysburg, and the experience of battle on July 2 are among the topics of the 2010 National Park Service series of free winter lectures, “Gettysburg: Perspectives on the Battle and Campaign at Gettysburg National Military Park.”
National Park Rangers will offer the programs on weekends beginning Sunday, Jan. 10 and running through Sunday, Feb. 28. They are free of charge and will be held at the new Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center, in the Ford Motor Company Fund Education Center.
Programs begin at 1:30 p.m. and last approximately one hour.
The programs for 2010, along with the NPS Ranger presenting the program, are:
Sunday, Jan. 10 – Colonel Sharpe and The Bureau of Military Information (Angie Atkinson)
Saturday, Jan. 16 – Think Bigger – Gettysburg in Space and Time (Troy Harmon)
Saturday, Jan. 23 – Civil War Maladies – The Cases of Robert E. Lee, A.P. Hill and Richard Ewell (Matt Atkinson)
Sunday, Jan. 24 – E. P. Alexander and Resolving Conflicting Accounts of the Battle of Gettysburg (Karlton Smith)
Saturday, Jan. 30 – The Weapons of Gettysburg (Tom Holbrook)
Saturday, Feb. 6 – The Veterans and the Battlefield: How Veterans Shaped the Gettysburg Battlefield Park (John Heiser)
Sunday, Feb. 7 – “To Judge and Act for Myself” – The Experiences of Colonel Charles Wainwright, Soldier & Democrat (Bert Barnett)
Saturday, Feb. 13 – “Unwilling Witness to the Rage of Gettysburg” – The Experience of Battle on July 2 (D. Scott Hartwig)
Sunday, Feb. 14 – The Federal Fight When it Wasn’t – The 24 Hours Between July 1 Collapse and July 2 Battle (Chuck Teague)
Saturday, Feb. 20 – Lee’s Retreat and Meade’s Pursuit (Troy Harman)
Sunday, Feb. 21 – Gettysburg, The Turning Point… But Not as You Think (Bill Hewitt)
Saturday, Feb. 27 – “More May Have Been Required of Them Than They Were Able to Perform” – Pickett’s Charge (Matt Atkinson)
Sunday, Feb. 28 – Pettigrew and Trimble: New Insights Into the Other Half of Pickett’s Charge (Karlton Smith)
For more information, visit Gettysburg National Military Park’s website at www.nps.gov/gett or call (717) 334-1124, ext. 8023.
National Park Rangers will offer the programs on weekends beginning Sunday, Jan. 10 and running through Sunday, Feb. 28. They are free of charge and will be held at the new Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center, in the Ford Motor Company Fund Education Center.
Programs begin at 1:30 p.m. and last approximately one hour.
The programs for 2010, along with the NPS Ranger presenting the program, are:
Sunday, Jan. 10 – Colonel Sharpe and The Bureau of Military Information (Angie Atkinson)
Saturday, Jan. 16 – Think Bigger – Gettysburg in Space and Time (Troy Harmon)
Saturday, Jan. 23 – Civil War Maladies – The Cases of Robert E. Lee, A.P. Hill and Richard Ewell (Matt Atkinson)
Sunday, Jan. 24 – E. P. Alexander and Resolving Conflicting Accounts of the Battle of Gettysburg (Karlton Smith)
Saturday, Jan. 30 – The Weapons of Gettysburg (Tom Holbrook)
Saturday, Feb. 6 – The Veterans and the Battlefield: How Veterans Shaped the Gettysburg Battlefield Park (John Heiser)
Sunday, Feb. 7 – “To Judge and Act for Myself” – The Experiences of Colonel Charles Wainwright, Soldier & Democrat (Bert Barnett)
Saturday, Feb. 13 – “Unwilling Witness to the Rage of Gettysburg” – The Experience of Battle on July 2 (D. Scott Hartwig)
Sunday, Feb. 14 – The Federal Fight When it Wasn’t – The 24 Hours Between July 1 Collapse and July 2 Battle (Chuck Teague)
Saturday, Feb. 20 – Lee’s Retreat and Meade’s Pursuit (Troy Harman)
Sunday, Feb. 21 – Gettysburg, The Turning Point… But Not as You Think (Bill Hewitt)
Saturday, Feb. 27 – “More May Have Been Required of Them Than They Were Able to Perform” – Pickett’s Charge (Matt Atkinson)
Sunday, Feb. 28 – Pettigrew and Trimble: New Insights Into the Other Half of Pickett’s Charge (Karlton Smith)
For more information, visit Gettysburg National Military Park’s website at www.nps.gov/gett or call (717) 334-1124, ext. 8023.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Cedar Creek Historical Commission to Meet
The next meeting of the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical
Park Advisory Commission will be held on Thursday December 17, 2009 at the
Warren Government Center, 220 North Commerce Avenue, Front Royal, Virginia. The meeting will begin at 8:30 am and is open to the public.
The draft General Management Plan and its implementation will be the main
subject of the meeting.
Individuals who are interested in the national park system or the business
of the Park Advisory Commission are encouraged to attend the December 17,
2009 meeting. Questions may be directed to Diann Jacox, Park
Superintendent, (540) 868-9176.
Park Advisory Commission will be held on Thursday December 17, 2009 at the
Warren Government Center, 220 North Commerce Avenue, Front Royal, Virginia. The meeting will begin at 8:30 am and is open to the public.
The draft General Management Plan and its implementation will be the main
subject of the meeting.
Individuals who are interested in the national park system or the business
of the Park Advisory Commission are encouraged to attend the December 17,
2009 meeting. Questions may be directed to Diann Jacox, Park
Superintendent, (540) 868-9176.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Upcoming Holiday Concert!
The Prince William County Historic Preservation Division will host Holiday Concerts on Saturday, December 12, 2009. Two concerts featuring songs of the season will be held at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow, VA 20136.
The 5 p.m. concert will be performed by the Brentsville District High School Women’s Treble Ensemble and the 6 p.m. concert will be a performance by the Brentsville District Mixed Vocal Ensemble. The concerts will take place in the historic ca. 1870 Union Church. The public will also have a chance to enjoy refreshments by a bonfire. This event is free to the public.
Brentsville served as the county seat of Prince William County from 1822-1893, it was the political and social center of the county. The Historic Centre consists of five historic structures on 24 acres of parkland. The site interprets the history of Brentsville and its role in local history. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre is located at 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, VA 20136.
For more information, please contact Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre at (703) 365-7895 or www.pwcgov.org/brentsville.
The 5 p.m. concert will be performed by the Brentsville District High School Women’s Treble Ensemble and the 6 p.m. concert will be a performance by the Brentsville District Mixed Vocal Ensemble. The concerts will take place in the historic ca. 1870 Union Church. The public will also have a chance to enjoy refreshments by a bonfire. This event is free to the public.
Brentsville served as the county seat of Prince William County from 1822-1893, it was the political and social center of the county. The Historic Centre consists of five historic structures on 24 acres of parkland. The site interprets the history of Brentsville and its role in local history. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre is located at 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, VA 20136.
For more information, please contact Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre at (703) 365-7895 or www.pwcgov.org/brentsville.
Friday, November 20, 2009
7th Annual Remembrance Illumination at Gettysburg
The Gettysburg Foundation will present the 7th annual Remembrance Illumination this Saturday, Nov. 21, from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. in the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. Sponsored by the Gettysburg Foundation, this popular event drew an estimated 2,500 visitors last year.
At Soliders’ National Cemetery, more than 3,500 luminary candles will be lit on the graves of Civil War soldiers, “Taps” will be played every half hour and the names of the Civil War soldiers buried in the Cemetery will be continuously read during the event. Representatives of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Honor Guard will participate in the Remembrance Illumination.
At 5:30 p.m., Capt. Patrick Shea of the USS Gettysburg, homeported in Mayport, Fla., will light five candles—one for each branch of our armed forces. Capt. Shea will be welcomed by Rear Adm. Richard A. Buchanan (US Navy, ret.), Gettysburg Foundation president. Shea will be lighting candles in the Pennsylvania section of the Cemetery. (Buchanan is a retired rear admiral in the Navy.)
The event is free and open to the public.
WHO: Gettysburg Foundation
WHAT: 7th Annual Remembrance Illumination
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 21, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
NOTE: PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: 5:30 p.m.: USS Gettysburg Captain Patrick Shea will light candles in the Pennsylvania section of the Cemetery and will be welcomed by Gettysburg Foundation President Richard A. Buchanan.
WHERE: Soldiers’ National Cemetery, Gettysburg
INCLEMENT WEATHER STATEMENT: Please note that the Remembrance Illumination is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Nov. 21 UNLESS torrential rain or high winds occur. In the event of inclement weather, cancellation announcements will be posted on the Web site www.gettysburgfoundation.org under “Latest News.” There is no rain date for the event.
At Soliders’ National Cemetery, more than 3,500 luminary candles will be lit on the graves of Civil War soldiers, “Taps” will be played every half hour and the names of the Civil War soldiers buried in the Cemetery will be continuously read during the event. Representatives of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Honor Guard will participate in the Remembrance Illumination.
At 5:30 p.m., Capt. Patrick Shea of the USS Gettysburg, homeported in Mayport, Fla., will light five candles—one for each branch of our armed forces. Capt. Shea will be welcomed by Rear Adm. Richard A. Buchanan (US Navy, ret.), Gettysburg Foundation president. Shea will be lighting candles in the Pennsylvania section of the Cemetery. (Buchanan is a retired rear admiral in the Navy.)
The event is free and open to the public.
WHO: Gettysburg Foundation
WHAT: 7th Annual Remembrance Illumination
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 21, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
NOTE: PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: 5:30 p.m.: USS Gettysburg Captain Patrick Shea will light candles in the Pennsylvania section of the Cemetery and will be welcomed by Gettysburg Foundation President Richard A. Buchanan.
WHERE: Soldiers’ National Cemetery, Gettysburg
INCLEMENT WEATHER STATEMENT: Please note that the Remembrance Illumination is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Nov. 21 UNLESS torrential rain or high winds occur. In the event of inclement weather, cancellation announcements will be posted on the Web site www.gettysburgfoundation.org under “Latest News.” There is no rain date for the event.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Carol Reardon Gives Tour for Longstreet Society
Dr. Reardon's soldiers coming over the swale--almost to the copse of trees!
More conference photos coming soon!Battlefield Journal
Monday, November 16, 2009
Longstreet Society Battlefield Project
12 or so members of the esteemed Longstreet Society met in Gettysburg this past weekend for their annual conference! As part of the event, they work on a battlefield initative. This year, they painted the benches at the Ampitheater by the Longstreet Memorial. The Park Rangers gave them a goal of one coat within two hours. As there are 40 or so benches, it was a JOB! But they rose to the task and completed all of them within the allotted time!
Peter Bridson from Liverpool in foreground with Basil Larkin (another UK member) in the background
Society President Richard Pilcher (in red jacket) with Treasurer Joe Whitaker, talking with Park Ranger Angel DeJesus.
Stay tuned for more blog posts from this great event in honor of Old Pete!
Stay tuned for more blog posts from this great event in honor of Old Pete!
Battlefield Journal
Saturday, October 31, 2009
It's not too late!!
There are still a few tickets available! Come to the Longstreet Symposium the weekend of November 14th! For more information, visit the 2009 Seminar Page.
See you there!
Battlefield Journal
See you there!
Battlefield Journal
Congress Allocates $9M for Civil War Battlefields
The Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) today applauded members of the U.S. House and Senate for including the largest ever single-year allocation for the federal Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Interior Appropriations Act Conference Report (H Rept 111-316).
The conference report, scheduled for a final vote in both chambers later this week, includes $9 million for the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program, a mechanism that utilizes government matching grants and private funds to permanently protect historic Civil War battlefields throughout the nation.
"This is tremendous news that could not come at a more critical time," said CWPT President James Lighthizer. Each day 30 acres of hallowed Civil War battlefield ground are paved over and lost forever. This money will allow us to preserve historic land that would otherwise be lost to development and urban sprawl."
The Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program targets priority unprotected Civil War sites outside National Park Service boundaries. The program's matching grants formula encourages state and private sector investment in historic land preservation. For example, in 2008 the Virginia General Assembly set aside $5.2 million to match federal Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program monies. Grants from the program are competitively awarded by the American Battlefield Protection Program, an arm of the National Park Service.
Since its creation in 1999, the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program has been used to protect more than 15,000 acres of hallowed ground at 60 battlefields in 14 states. Among the sites saved as a result of this program are historic properties at Antietam and South Mountain, Md.; Champion Hill, Miss.; Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and Manassas, Va.; Chattanooga and Fort Donelson, Tenn.; and Harpers Ferry, W.Va. The program is funded through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Although numerous members of the House and Senate have played important roles in ensuring the program's continued success, the following individuals were pivotal in securing this year's unprecedented federal commitment to battlefield preservation: Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairs Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Norm Dicks (D-WA); Senators Jim Webb (D-VA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Jeff Sessions (R-AL); and Congressmen, Bart Gordon (D-TN), Steve Israel (D-NY), Gary Miller (R-CA) and C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger (D-MD). In addition, 16 Senators and 29 Member of Congress signed letters of support for the program earlier this year.
"It is welcome news that our $9 million funding request for battlefield preservation was accepted in the Interior Appropriations bill," said Senator Webb. "As America prepares for the 150th anniversary commemoration of the Civil War, it is more important than ever that we preserve these landmarks for future generations to learn about the history of our nation."
Senator Alexander concurred, saying, "The Civil War was a heartbreaking time in our history that we should never forget. Protecting our Civil War battlefields and historic sites is important both to honor the thousands who fought and to allow future generations to learn their heritage by visiting sites like Shiloh, Lookout Mountain, Fort Donelson and Parker's Crossroads. I'm glad to see that this funding was included to support this important program."
"America's Civil War battlefields are part of our nation's rich heritage, but sadly thousands of acres of battlefields are being lost every year. It is incumbent upon all of us to ensure our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to visit these sacred grounds and experience part of history," remarked Congressman Ruppersberger.
This vision was also shared by Congressman Miller, who first introduced legislation authorizing the program in 2002. Miller noted, "I have been a long time advocate for preservation of our nation's historic battlefields. These battlefields offer a porthole to the past. The vivid imagery of an epic conflict can remind visitors of the struggles our country has gone through to preserve the banner of liberty and justice for all."
Like Senator Webb, Lighthizer also stressed that the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Civil War presents an ideal time to redouble efforts to protect this hallowed ground. "I can think of no more fitting - and lasting - tribute during this sesquicentennial commemoration than to preserve the places where these brave soldiers fought and bled."
The Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program was reauthorized in March 2009 as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (PL 111-11). The legislation, introduced in the Senate by Senators Webb and Sessions and in the House by Congressmen Miller, Israel and Gordon, reauthorized the program for $10 million a year for five years. The popular bill enjoyed considerable bipartisan support, earning 33 cosponsors in the Senate and 108 cosponsors in the House.
With 55,000 members, CWPT is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its mission is to preserve our nation's remaining Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds through education and heritage tourism. The CWPT website is located at www.civilwar.org.
The conference report, scheduled for a final vote in both chambers later this week, includes $9 million for the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program, a mechanism that utilizes government matching grants and private funds to permanently protect historic Civil War battlefields throughout the nation.
"This is tremendous news that could not come at a more critical time," said CWPT President James Lighthizer. Each day 30 acres of hallowed Civil War battlefield ground are paved over and lost forever. This money will allow us to preserve historic land that would otherwise be lost to development and urban sprawl."
The Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program targets priority unprotected Civil War sites outside National Park Service boundaries. The program's matching grants formula encourages state and private sector investment in historic land preservation. For example, in 2008 the Virginia General Assembly set aside $5.2 million to match federal Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program monies. Grants from the program are competitively awarded by the American Battlefield Protection Program, an arm of the National Park Service.
Since its creation in 1999, the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program has been used to protect more than 15,000 acres of hallowed ground at 60 battlefields in 14 states. Among the sites saved as a result of this program are historic properties at Antietam and South Mountain, Md.; Champion Hill, Miss.; Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and Manassas, Va.; Chattanooga and Fort Donelson, Tenn.; and Harpers Ferry, W.Va. The program is funded through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Although numerous members of the House and Senate have played important roles in ensuring the program's continued success, the following individuals were pivotal in securing this year's unprecedented federal commitment to battlefield preservation: Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairs Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Norm Dicks (D-WA); Senators Jim Webb (D-VA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Jeff Sessions (R-AL); and Congressmen, Bart Gordon (D-TN), Steve Israel (D-NY), Gary Miller (R-CA) and C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger (D-MD). In addition, 16 Senators and 29 Member of Congress signed letters of support for the program earlier this year.
"It is welcome news that our $9 million funding request for battlefield preservation was accepted in the Interior Appropriations bill," said Senator Webb. "As America prepares for the 150th anniversary commemoration of the Civil War, it is more important than ever that we preserve these landmarks for future generations to learn about the history of our nation."
Senator Alexander concurred, saying, "The Civil War was a heartbreaking time in our history that we should never forget. Protecting our Civil War battlefields and historic sites is important both to honor the thousands who fought and to allow future generations to learn their heritage by visiting sites like Shiloh, Lookout Mountain, Fort Donelson and Parker's Crossroads. I'm glad to see that this funding was included to support this important program."
"America's Civil War battlefields are part of our nation's rich heritage, but sadly thousands of acres of battlefields are being lost every year. It is incumbent upon all of us to ensure our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to visit these sacred grounds and experience part of history," remarked Congressman Ruppersberger.
This vision was also shared by Congressman Miller, who first introduced legislation authorizing the program in 2002. Miller noted, "I have been a long time advocate for preservation of our nation's historic battlefields. These battlefields offer a porthole to the past. The vivid imagery of an epic conflict can remind visitors of the struggles our country has gone through to preserve the banner of liberty and justice for all."
Like Senator Webb, Lighthizer also stressed that the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Civil War presents an ideal time to redouble efforts to protect this hallowed ground. "I can think of no more fitting - and lasting - tribute during this sesquicentennial commemoration than to preserve the places where these brave soldiers fought and bled."
The Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program was reauthorized in March 2009 as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (PL 111-11). The legislation, introduced in the Senate by Senators Webb and Sessions and in the House by Congressmen Miller, Israel and Gordon, reauthorized the program for $10 million a year for five years. The popular bill enjoyed considerable bipartisan support, earning 33 cosponsors in the Senate and 108 cosponsors in the House.
With 55,000 members, CWPT is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its mission is to preserve our nation's remaining Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds through education and heritage tourism. The CWPT website is located at www.civilwar.org.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sickles to be Topic of Presentation
The National Civil War Museum, in conjunction with Camp Curtin Historical Society, today announced that James Hessler will be visiting the Museum on Sunday, November 8, 2009 for a presentation and book signing for his new book, Sickles At Gettysburg: The Controversial Civil War General Who Committed Murder, Abandoned Little Round Top, and Declared Himself the Hero of Gettysburg.
Hessler’s presentation will begin at 2:00pm, with a book signing to follow. Hessler, a licensed Gettysburg battlefield guide, examines many of the controversies surrounding Dan Sickles, including the murder of Philip Barton Key, a questionable promotion to command the III Corps, his abandonment of Little Round Top at Gettysburg, his wounding at Trostle Farm and his efforts to regain his reputation.
The presentation is free to the public; however, regular Museum admission prices will apply for those visiting the galleries. Sickles At Gettysburg is available for purchase at The National Civil War Museum gift shop.
About The National Civil War Museum
Opened in February 2001, The National Civil War Museum is a non-profit educational institution dedicated solely to the American Civil War. It is the largest Civil War museum that addresses the war from both the Northern and Southern perspective, and from both a military and civilian perspective. The Museum protects some of the nation's treasures, including General Robert E. Lee's personal Bible, and more than 24,000 artifacts, documents and photos, worth an estimated $20 million. Admission to the Museum is $9.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors, and $7.00 for students with reduced rates for children and families. The Museum offers complimentary ample parking. For more information, please call 717.260.1861, or visit the Museum’s website at www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
New Guided Bus Tour of Antietam--Limited Availability
The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is chartering two buses on December 5, 2009, for the 21st Annual Memorial Illumination at Antietam National Battlefield. One hundred tickets will be sold for the guided bus tour of the event.
"The Antietam Illumination is awe-inspiring. It is a popular event with visitors and residents alike," said CVB President Tom Riford. "We are excited about chartering buses and offering special guided tours of the event. This should be a great trip, and one of the best parts is the opportunity to avoid having to wait in the long line of traffic to get into the battlefield." Riford added. The specially-chartered buses are brought to the front of the staging area, according to organizers of the Illumination.
Charissa Stanton , the CVB's Public Relations Specialist, and Betsy De Vore, Director of Sales for the CVB, will be the tour guides for the evening. They will share a collection of quotes from soldiers and civilians about the Battle of Antietam, as well as an overview of the battle.
In 2007 the CVB offered guided bus tours of the illumination. Initial plans were to charter one bus to see if there was any interest from the public. The CVB ended up chartering a second bus because of the popularity.
“Both buses were filled to capacity and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves immensely,” said De Vore. “It quickly became clear that this was something we should offer every year.”
The American Bus Association (ABA) designated the Antietam Illumination as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2008 by an elite tourism industry selection committee. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations Magazine, indicates that the Annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world.
"The Illumination is a must-see event at Antietam," Stanton said. "It is absolutely breathtaking and the large windows on the charter allow you to see in every direction."
Since 1989 an annual remembrance of the battle of Antietam has been held the first Saturday in December. It is signified by 23,110 luminaries, one placed every 15 feet along a 5 mile route, throughout the fields, and around monuments. Volunteers systematically set up the luminaries throughout the day, and candles are lit starting at 3 p.m. Last year, the National Park Service announced that more than 20,000 people experience the Illumination, from 6 p.m. until midnight.
The annual event is sponsored by the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Antietam National Battlefield, in cooperation with the American Business Women's Association, annually hosts the Annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination in honor of those soldiers who fell during the Battle of Antietam. The event is also known as the largest volunteer single-day event in Western Maryland, with more than 1,200 volunteers setting out the luminaries. The event has been called the largest memorial illumination in North America.
Tickets for the CVB charter buses will be available from the Visitor Welcome Center at 6 North Potomac Street in downtown Hagerstown starting Monday November 2. The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children under the age of 10. On the night of December 5, refreshments will be served at the Welcome Center starting at 5:15 p.m. and the bus will depart promptly at 6:00 p.m. In case of inclement weather, refunds will be issued. For more information call 301-791-3246 ext. 10.
To find out more about Hagerstown-Washington County , go to www.marylandmemories.com. For more information about the Annual Memorial Illumination, visit www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/luminary.htm. Washington County is part of the Maryland state-certified Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (www.heartofthecivilwar.org), and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area (http://hallowedground.org). Washington County is also part of the Quad-State Tourism Coalition, a four-state tourism group along I-81. For more information, see: www.quadstate81.com.
"The Antietam Illumination is awe-inspiring. It is a popular event with visitors and residents alike," said CVB President Tom Riford. "We are excited about chartering buses and offering special guided tours of the event. This should be a great trip, and one of the best parts is the opportunity to avoid having to wait in the long line of traffic to get into the battlefield." Riford added. The specially-chartered buses are brought to the front of the staging area, according to organizers of the Illumination.
Charissa Stanton , the CVB's Public Relations Specialist, and Betsy De Vore, Director of Sales for the CVB, will be the tour guides for the evening. They will share a collection of quotes from soldiers and civilians about the Battle of Antietam, as well as an overview of the battle.
In 2007 the CVB offered guided bus tours of the illumination. Initial plans were to charter one bus to see if there was any interest from the public. The CVB ended up chartering a second bus because of the popularity.
“Both buses were filled to capacity and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves immensely,” said De Vore. “It quickly became clear that this was something we should offer every year.”
The American Bus Association (ABA) designated the Antietam Illumination as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2008 by an elite tourism industry selection committee. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations Magazine, indicates that the Annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world.
"The Illumination is a must-see event at Antietam," Stanton said. "It is absolutely breathtaking and the large windows on the charter allow you to see in every direction."
Since 1989 an annual remembrance of the battle of Antietam has been held the first Saturday in December. It is signified by 23,110 luminaries, one placed every 15 feet along a 5 mile route, throughout the fields, and around monuments. Volunteers systematically set up the luminaries throughout the day, and candles are lit starting at 3 p.m. Last year, the National Park Service announced that more than 20,000 people experience the Illumination, from 6 p.m. until midnight.
The annual event is sponsored by the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Antietam National Battlefield, in cooperation with the American Business Women's Association, annually hosts the Annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination in honor of those soldiers who fell during the Battle of Antietam. The event is also known as the largest volunteer single-day event in Western Maryland, with more than 1,200 volunteers setting out the luminaries. The event has been called the largest memorial illumination in North America.
Tickets for the CVB charter buses will be available from the Visitor Welcome Center at 6 North Potomac Street in downtown Hagerstown starting Monday November 2. The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children under the age of 10. On the night of December 5, refreshments will be served at the Welcome Center starting at 5:15 p.m. and the bus will depart promptly at 6:00 p.m. In case of inclement weather, refunds will be issued. For more information call 301-791-3246 ext. 10.
To find out more about Hagerstown-Washington County , go to www.marylandmemories.com. For more information about the Annual Memorial Illumination, visit www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/luminary.htm. Washington County is part of the Maryland state-certified Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (www.heartofthecivilwar.org), and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area (http://hallowedground.org). Washington County is also part of the Quad-State Tourism Coalition, a four-state tourism group along I-81. For more information, see: www.quadstate81.com.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Gettysburg Foundation Names a New President
The Gettysburg Foundation today announced the selection of Rear Adm. Richard A. Buchanan, USN (ret.) as president. Buchanan will take over for Robert C. Wilburn, who retired from the Foundation this summer. Buchanan begins work on Oct. 19.
“Rear Adm. Buchanan’s experience in the military, in finance and with nonprofit organizations represents the perfect leadership mix for the Gettysburg Foundation,” said Foundation Chairman Robert A. Kinsley. “His skill set is a perfect complement to our unique and important partnership with the National Park Service.”
Buchanan most recently served as the president and chief executive officer of the United States Navy Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C. Before that, he was vice president of undersea systems at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems and has also worked at Electronic Data Systems as the deputy for strategic operations on the Navy Marine Corps Intranet Program. Following his retirement from military duty, Rear Admiral Buchanan was the vice president of corporate services for First National Bank of Omaha and the president of the Midlands Venture Forum in Nebraska and Iowa.
“I am honored to join the team at the Gettysburg Foundation in its important partnership with the National Park Service,” said Buchanan. “Gettysburg’s enduring legacy is an inspiration, and I look forward to working to ensure that that legacy is preserved for future generations.”
“Rear Adm. Buchanan is an excellent choice for the Gettysburg Foundation and a perfect fit for this important partnership at Gettysburg," said Dr. John A. Latschar, Gettysburg National Military Park superintendent.
The Gettysburg Foundation is a private, non-profit educational organization working in partnership with the National Park Service to enhance preservation and understanding of the heritage and lasting significance of Gettysburg. The Foundation raised funds for and now operates the Museum and Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military Park, which opened in April 2008. In addition to operating the Museum and Visitor Center, the Foundation has a broad preservation mission that includes land, monument and artifact preservation and battlefield rehabilitation—all in support of the National Park Service’s goals at Gettysburg.
For information about the Foundation, about visiting Gettysburg, or how you can become a part of the history of Gettysburg through your contribution, visit www.gettysburgfoundation.org or call 877-874-2478 or the administrative offices at 717-338-1243.
Monday, September 28, 2009
History Under Siege...The Civil War Preservation Trust Works Hard to Save our Sites
The Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT), the nation’s largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization, is accepting nominations through its website for an annual report on endangered Civil War battlefields. The report, entitled History Under Siege®, identifies the most threatened Civil War sites in the United States and what can be done to rescue them.
“Too often the threats to our priceless historical treasures go unnoticed,” noted CWPT President James Lighthizer. “This report is a rallying cry to the nation, a powerful reminder that our hallowed battlefields are in imminent danger.”
Nominate a battlefield
History Under Siege 2009
History Under Siege® is part of CWPT’s ongoing effort to protect America’s remaining Civil War battlefields. Every day 30 acres of hallowed ground associated with Civil War battlefields fall victim to development, succumbing to the backhoe and the bulldozer. Once lost, these historic treasures can never be replaced.
The 2010 endangered battlefields report will be released next spring in Washington, D.C. Any Civil War battlefield is eligible to for nomination and consideration. The chosen sites will be selected based on geographic location, military significance and the immediacy of current threats.
“From Pennsylvania to New Mexico, the battlefields where the Civil War was fought are under siege,” Lighthizer remarked. “Nominations from concerned citizens, history buffs and preservation activists help us stay aware of the most current threats to a wide variety of battlefields.”
Among the ten sites identified in the 2009 report were Cedar Creek, Virginia; Monocacy, Maryland; and Spring Hill, Tennessee. The report also mentioned 15 “at risk” battlefields that, although seriously threatened, did not make the final ten. Each year, the report raises public awareness of the threats to historic sites, leading to victories for preservationists. “Thanks in part to the publicity generated by the report, we expect continued successes in the remainder of the year and in the future,” Lighthizer predicted.
Individuals and groups are encouraged to fill out the nomination form available online at http://www.civilwar.org/endangerednomination. Applications must include a detailed description of specific threats facing the site. Submission of relevant recent photographs is also encouraged. Nominations must be received no later than October 10, 2009.
With 55,000 members, CWPT is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its mission is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds. CWPT’s website is http://www.civilwar.org/.
“Too often the threats to our priceless historical treasures go unnoticed,” noted CWPT President James Lighthizer. “This report is a rallying cry to the nation, a powerful reminder that our hallowed battlefields are in imminent danger.”
Nominate a battlefield
History Under Siege 2009
History Under Siege® is part of CWPT’s ongoing effort to protect America’s remaining Civil War battlefields. Every day 30 acres of hallowed ground associated with Civil War battlefields fall victim to development, succumbing to the backhoe and the bulldozer. Once lost, these historic treasures can never be replaced.
The 2010 endangered battlefields report will be released next spring in Washington, D.C. Any Civil War battlefield is eligible to for nomination and consideration. The chosen sites will be selected based on geographic location, military significance and the immediacy of current threats.
“From Pennsylvania to New Mexico, the battlefields where the Civil War was fought are under siege,” Lighthizer remarked. “Nominations from concerned citizens, history buffs and preservation activists help us stay aware of the most current threats to a wide variety of battlefields.”
Among the ten sites identified in the 2009 report were Cedar Creek, Virginia; Monocacy, Maryland; and Spring Hill, Tennessee. The report also mentioned 15 “at risk” battlefields that, although seriously threatened, did not make the final ten. Each year, the report raises public awareness of the threats to historic sites, leading to victories for preservationists. “Thanks in part to the publicity generated by the report, we expect continued successes in the remainder of the year and in the future,” Lighthizer predicted.
Individuals and groups are encouraged to fill out the nomination form available online at http://www.civilwar.org/endangerednomination. Applications must include a detailed description of specific threats facing the site. Submission of relevant recent photographs is also encouraged. Nominations must be received no later than October 10, 2009.
With 55,000 members, CWPT is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its mission is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds. CWPT’s website is http://www.civilwar.org/.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Antietam & South Mountain Celebrate Anniversaries!
This month, Antietam National Battlefield and South Mountain State Battlefield will commemorate the 147th anniversaries of the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of South Mountain. Each park is offering a variety of anniversary events including special tours, musical performances, and living history demonstrations.
The Antietam National Battlefield schedule of events commemorating the Battle of Antietam, fought September 17, 1862 is:
Friday, September 11
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 10:00 a.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Living History-The United States Sanitary Commission
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Meet at the visitor center and then walk to the camp near the Dunker Church .
Program: Ranger Led Automobile Tour
Time: 1:30 p.m. (Duration 2 ½ hours)
Location: Visitor Center Observation Room Description: Ranger provides overview at Visitor Center , take your car and follow the Ranger to the Cornfield, Sunken Road & Burnside Bridge .
Program: Living History-The United States Sanitary Commission
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at the visitor center and then walk to the camp near the Dunker Church
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 3:00 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center Description: Join the ranger for an overview of the battle.
Program: Living History-The United States Sanitary Commission
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at the visitor center and then walk to the camp near the Dunker Church
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 4:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center Description: Join the ranger for an overview of the battle.
Program: Commemoration Ceremony
Location: The Dunker Church
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Description: Lt. Col. Louis A. Mercado, USMC War College , Quantico , VA will be our guest speaker for the Commemoration.
Program: Battle Anniversary Guest Speaker
Location: Antietam Battlefield Visitor Center
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Description: "Lee at Antietam " – Elizabeth Brown Pryor. Join this award winning author for an examination of Lee in the campaign and battle based on original research and many previously unpublished accounts. Aspects that will be covered include Lee’s motives for invasion, his observations of the battle, his relationship with his officers, and more. Our speaker is the author of the critically acclaimed book, Reading the Man: A Portrait of Robert E. Lee Through His Private Letters.
Saturday, September 12
Program: In-Depth Battlefield Hike: The Attacks of the I and XII Corps
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: New York State Monument
Program: Battlefield in a Box
Time: 9:00 a.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Ranger Led Automobile Tour
Time: 10:00 a.m. (Duration 2 ½ hours)
Location: Visitor Center Observation Room
Program: Wildcat Regiment Brass Band Concert
Time: 11:15 a.m.
Location: The Dunker Church Description: This program will include a concert, and discussion on Brass Bands and the American Civil War.
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 12:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center Description: Join the ranger for an overview of the battle.
Program: In-Depth Battlefield Hike: The Attack of Sumner’s Corps
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: New York State Monument Description: A battlefield hike that will focus on the time of the battle from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Program: Ranger Led Automobile Tour
Time: 1:30 p.m. (Duration 2 ½ hours)
Location: Visitor Center Observation Room
Program: Wildcat Regiment Brass Band Grand Concert
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Mumma Farm Barn (A shuttle bus will be available from the visitor center parking lot.) Description: The band members play period instruments and music popular during the Civil War.
Program: Antietam Anniversary Guest Speaker
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Location: Antietam Battlefield Visitor Center Description: "The Army of Northern Virginia in the Maryland Campaign" – Joseph T. Glatthaar. In the late summer and early fall of 1862, General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia was an army in transition. Our speaker will reassess Lee’s army based on more than nine years of research into over 4,000 primary sources such as letters, diaries and official reports. Joseph T. Glatthaar is the author of General Lee’s Army: From Victory to Collapse, a selection of The History Book Club.
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 3:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 4:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Living History-The United States Sanitary Commission
Time: Informal programs all day at the campsite
Location: Dunker Church
Sunday, September 13
Program: In-Depth Battlefield Hike: The Middle and Lower Bridge
Time: 8:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
Location: Meet at the Lower Bridge , Tour Stop 9
Program: Battlefield in a Box
Time: 9:00 a.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Ranger Led Automobile Tour
Time: 10:00 p.m. (Duration 2 ½ hours)
Location: Visitor Center Observation Room
Program: Infantry & Sharpshooter Firing Demonstrations
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Artillery Firing Demonstrations Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 12:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Program: In-Depth Battlefield Hike: Attack of the IX Corps
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at the Lower Bridge , Tour Stop 9
Program: Ranger Led Automobile Tour
Time: 1:30 p.m. (Duration 2 ½ hours)
Location: Visitor Center Observation Room
Program: Infantry & Sharpshooter Firing Demonstrations
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Artillery Firing Demonstrations
Time: 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Antietam Anniversary Guest Speaker
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center Description: "Ezra Carman and the Creation of the Antietam National Battlefield" – Thomas Clemens. The establishment of Antietam National Battlefield is due in large part to the work of Colonel Ezra Carman. An actual veteran of Antietam , Carman began researching what happened here within days after the battle. His research turned into a lifetime endeavor and Carman served as the historian for the Battlefield Board. In the process he corresponded with hundreds of veterans to get their accounts of what occurred on that bloody September day in 1862. Our speaker is one of this country’s leading authorities on Carman and is currently working on a book on the subject. Thomas Clemens is a history professor at Hagerstown Community College and is a founder and President of the Save Historic Antietam Foundation.
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 3:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 4:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Thursday, September 17
A special hike, Morning in the Cornfield, will meet at tour stop 4, The Cornfield. This program starts at 7:00 a.m. and will last an hour. An all day hike of the battlefield will be in two parts with the first one starting at 9:00 a.m. near the park visitor center. The afternoon hike will begin at the National Cemetery Parking Lot, on the north side of MD. RT. 34 across from the National Cemetery . The starting time for this program is 1:30 p.m. and the hike will end back at the lot at approximately 5:00 p.m. The morning and afternoon hikes will each be four miles in length and the Morning in the Cornfield hike is one mile.
Antietam National Battlefield has an entrance fee of $4 per person or $6 per family, which covers admission to the park and all programs for a three-day period. For more information call the Visitor Center at 301-432-5124 or visit www.nps.gov/anti.
The schedule of events commemorating the Battle of South Mountain, fought September 14, 1862 is:
Saturday, September 12th
Location: Washington Monument State Park
9:00 a.m.: Visitor Center and Museum open
10:00 a.m.: Overview Talk of the Maryland Campaign
11:00 a.m.: Infantry and Artillery Demonstration
1:00 p.m.: Civilians in the Civil War Talk
2:00 p.m.: Infantry and Artillery Demonstration
3:00 p.m.: Walking Tour of the Washington Monument
Sunday, September 13th
Location: Washington Monument State Park
9:00 a.m.: Visitor Center and Museum Open
11:00 a.m.: Overview Talk of the Maryland Campaign
12:00 a.m.: Walking Tour of the Washington Monument
2:00 p.m.: Life of the Civil War Infantryman Talk
3:00 p.m.: Civilians in the Civil War Talk
Monday, September 14th
Location:
9:00 a.m.: Real-time Tour of the Opening Phases at Fox's Gap led by National Park Service Ranger Isaac Forman
2:00 p.m.: Real-time Tour of the Afternoon Phases at Fox's Gap led by Maryland State Park Interpreter John Miller
4:00 p.m.: Real-time Tour of Crampton's Gap led by Maryland State Park Interpreter Steven Lopez
There is a $2 per vehicle entrance fee for Washington Monument State Park . All programs are free. For more information call Washington Monument State Park at 301-432-8065 or visit www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/southmountain.html.
To learn more about Washington County , visit the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau website at www.marylandmemories.com. Washington County is part of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (www.heartofthecivilwar.com), and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area (http://hallowedground.org). Washington County is also part of the Quad-State Tourism Coalition, a four-state tourism group along I-81. For more information, see: www.quadstate81.com
The Antietam National Battlefield schedule of events commemorating the Battle of Antietam, fought September 17, 1862 is:
Friday, September 11
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 10:00 a.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Living History-The United States Sanitary Commission
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Meet at the visitor center and then walk to the camp near the Dunker Church .
Program: Ranger Led Automobile Tour
Time: 1:30 p.m. (Duration 2 ½ hours)
Location: Visitor Center Observation Room Description: Ranger provides overview at Visitor Center , take your car and follow the Ranger to the Cornfield, Sunken Road & Burnside Bridge .
Program: Living History-The United States Sanitary Commission
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at the visitor center and then walk to the camp near the Dunker Church
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 3:00 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center Description: Join the ranger for an overview of the battle.
Program: Living History-The United States Sanitary Commission
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at the visitor center and then walk to the camp near the Dunker Church
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 4:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center Description: Join the ranger for an overview of the battle.
Program: Commemoration Ceremony
Location: The Dunker Church
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Description: Lt. Col. Louis A. Mercado, USMC War College , Quantico , VA will be our guest speaker for the Commemoration.
Program: Battle Anniversary Guest Speaker
Location: Antietam Battlefield Visitor Center
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Description: "Lee at Antietam " – Elizabeth Brown Pryor. Join this award winning author for an examination of Lee in the campaign and battle based on original research and many previously unpublished accounts. Aspects that will be covered include Lee’s motives for invasion, his observations of the battle, his relationship with his officers, and more. Our speaker is the author of the critically acclaimed book, Reading the Man: A Portrait of Robert E. Lee Through His Private Letters.
Saturday, September 12
Program: In-Depth Battlefield Hike: The Attacks of the I and XII Corps
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: New York State Monument
Program: Battlefield in a Box
Time: 9:00 a.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Ranger Led Automobile Tour
Time: 10:00 a.m. (Duration 2 ½ hours)
Location: Visitor Center Observation Room
Program: Wildcat Regiment Brass Band Concert
Time: 11:15 a.m.
Location: The Dunker Church Description: This program will include a concert, and discussion on Brass Bands and the American Civil War.
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 12:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center Description: Join the ranger for an overview of the battle.
Program: In-Depth Battlefield Hike: The Attack of Sumner’s Corps
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: New York State Monument Description: A battlefield hike that will focus on the time of the battle from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Program: Ranger Led Automobile Tour
Time: 1:30 p.m. (Duration 2 ½ hours)
Location: Visitor Center Observation Room
Program: Wildcat Regiment Brass Band Grand Concert
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Mumma Farm Barn (A shuttle bus will be available from the visitor center parking lot.) Description: The band members play period instruments and music popular during the Civil War.
Program: Antietam Anniversary Guest Speaker
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Location: Antietam Battlefield Visitor Center Description: "The Army of Northern Virginia in the Maryland Campaign" – Joseph T. Glatthaar. In the late summer and early fall of 1862, General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia was an army in transition. Our speaker will reassess Lee’s army based on more than nine years of research into over 4,000 primary sources such as letters, diaries and official reports. Joseph T. Glatthaar is the author of General Lee’s Army: From Victory to Collapse, a selection of The History Book Club.
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 3:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 4:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Living History-The United States Sanitary Commission
Time: Informal programs all day at the campsite
Location: Dunker Church
Sunday, September 13
Program: In-Depth Battlefield Hike: The Middle and Lower Bridge
Time: 8:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
Location: Meet at the Lower Bridge , Tour Stop 9
Program: Battlefield in a Box
Time: 9:00 a.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Ranger Led Automobile Tour
Time: 10:00 p.m. (Duration 2 ½ hours)
Location: Visitor Center Observation Room
Program: Infantry & Sharpshooter Firing Demonstrations
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Artillery Firing Demonstrations Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 12:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Program: In-Depth Battlefield Hike: Attack of the IX Corps
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at the Lower Bridge , Tour Stop 9
Program: Ranger Led Automobile Tour
Time: 1:30 p.m. (Duration 2 ½ hours)
Location: Visitor Center Observation Room
Program: Infantry & Sharpshooter Firing Demonstrations
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Artillery Firing Demonstrations
Time: 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Antietam Anniversary Guest Speaker
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center Description: "Ezra Carman and the Creation of the Antietam National Battlefield" – Thomas Clemens. The establishment of Antietam National Battlefield is due in large part to the work of Colonel Ezra Carman. An actual veteran of Antietam , Carman began researching what happened here within days after the battle. His research turned into a lifetime endeavor and Carman served as the historian for the Battlefield Board. In the process he corresponded with hundreds of veterans to get their accounts of what occurred on that bloody September day in 1862. Our speaker is one of this country’s leading authorities on Carman and is currently working on a book on the subject. Thomas Clemens is a history professor at Hagerstown Community College and is a founder and President of the Save Historic Antietam Foundation.
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 3:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Program: Orientation Talk
Time: 4:30 p.m. (Duration 30 minutes)
Location: Visitor Center
Thursday, September 17
A special hike, Morning in the Cornfield, will meet at tour stop 4, The Cornfield. This program starts at 7:00 a.m. and will last an hour. An all day hike of the battlefield will be in two parts with the first one starting at 9:00 a.m. near the park visitor center. The afternoon hike will begin at the National Cemetery Parking Lot, on the north side of MD. RT. 34 across from the National Cemetery . The starting time for this program is 1:30 p.m. and the hike will end back at the lot at approximately 5:00 p.m. The morning and afternoon hikes will each be four miles in length and the Morning in the Cornfield hike is one mile.
Antietam National Battlefield has an entrance fee of $4 per person or $6 per family, which covers admission to the park and all programs for a three-day period. For more information call the Visitor Center at 301-432-5124 or visit www.nps.gov/anti.
The schedule of events commemorating the Battle of South Mountain, fought September 14, 1862 is:
Saturday, September 12th
Location: Washington Monument State Park
9:00 a.m.: Visitor Center and Museum open
10:00 a.m.: Overview Talk of the Maryland Campaign
11:00 a.m.: Infantry and Artillery Demonstration
1:00 p.m.: Civilians in the Civil War Talk
2:00 p.m.: Infantry and Artillery Demonstration
3:00 p.m.: Walking Tour of the Washington Monument
Sunday, September 13th
Location: Washington Monument State Park
9:00 a.m.: Visitor Center and Museum Open
11:00 a.m.: Overview Talk of the Maryland Campaign
12:00 a.m.: Walking Tour of the Washington Monument
2:00 p.m.: Life of the Civil War Infantryman Talk
3:00 p.m.: Civilians in the Civil War Talk
Monday, September 14th
Location:
9:00 a.m.: Real-time Tour of the Opening Phases at Fox's Gap led by National Park Service Ranger Isaac Forman
2:00 p.m.: Real-time Tour of the Afternoon Phases at Fox's Gap led by Maryland State Park Interpreter John Miller
4:00 p.m.: Real-time Tour of Crampton's Gap led by Maryland State Park Interpreter Steven Lopez
There is a $2 per vehicle entrance fee for Washington Monument State Park . All programs are free. For more information call Washington Monument State Park at 301-432-8065 or visit www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/southmountain.html.
To learn more about Washington County , visit the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau website at www.marylandmemories.com. Washington County is part of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (www.heartofthecivilwar.com), and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area (http://hallowedground.org). Washington County is also part of the Quad-State Tourism Coalition, a four-state tourism group along I-81. For more information, see: www.quadstate81.com
Sunday, August 30, 2009
One of Only Two Military Installations Built Upon a Battlefield
By Jo Adail Stephenson and Kevin Bennett
Blue Grass Army Depot Preserves Civil War Battle Site for Future Generations
Laying fallow for over 60 years, a significant part of the battlefield lay within the bounds of the Depot, which was built in 1941-1942. One of only two military installations built upon a battlefield, it was not until recently that research and archeological surveys fully revealed the extent of what occurred on the property. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, the battlefield has yielded a wealth of artifacts associated with the battle which has contributed greatly to determining the movements and positions of the various units. Many of these artifacts are on loan to The Battle of Richmond Visitors Center/Museum, formerly Old Quarters 29 (the Depot commander's house), said Nathan White, the Depot archaelogist and cultural research manager. This building, which is listed on the National Register, had fallen into disrepair and was donated several years ago by the Department of the Army to Madison County as part of their effort to restore the battlefield.
More than 100 attendees participated in the recent dedication, which was the result of cooperative efforts of the U.S. Army, Madison County officials and a local group of historically-minded local citizens organized as the Battle of Richmond Association. "The Depot is very much a part of the local community and it was important for us to partner with local government and historical organizations to preserve this battlefield area," said Blue Grass Army Depot Commander Col. Joseph Tirone. "While this site represents a significant landmark of local and state history, it is more than that--the story of what happened here in August 1862 is also the Army's story," Tirone said.
"It is a story that began with the birth of our nation and continues to this day, a story of Americans, both men and women, who put on their country's uniform, follow its flag, perform countless tasks of selfless service and who are called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their nation. It is only fitting and proper that the Army play a role in preserving this special piece of history and in helping ours and future generations remember what happened here," he said.
Funds used to pay for the markers and the restoration work were generated by recycling scrap metal at the Depot through the Qualified Recycling Program (QRP) managed by the installation's Morale, Welfare and Recreation Office.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Liberia House Tours
Three Manassas Historic Treasures Open For Tours
Liberia Mansion Opens Her Doors, September 12, 10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Manassas Industrial School/Jennie Dean Memorial/Lucasville School Tour,
September 13, 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Liberia Mansion Opens Her Doors, September 12, 10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Manassas Industrial School/Jennie Dean Memorial/Lucasville School Tour,
September 13, 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Three historic sites which played a major role in the area’s Civil War and African-American history will be featured in tours sponsored by The Manassas Museum on September 12 and 13.
On Saturday, September 12, Liberia Mansion, one of the area’s most significant structures during the Civil War, will offer a first-ever free open house from 10 a.m. to
1 p.m. The grand old house, built in 1825 and a now a part of the Manassas Museum System, is currently in the midst of renovations to restore the property to its former glory when it served as headquarters for both Confederate and Union officers.
The first floor of the house and the surrounding grounds will be open to visitors. Docents will be on hand to answer questions about the home’s extensive history. New exhibits about the restoration and Liberia’s architecture will be shown for the first time. Liberia collectibles will be available for purchase.
This historic home, built in 1825 by William J. Weir, served as the headquarters for Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard before the Battle of First Manassas. Beauregard abandoned the house in the winter of 1861, but it quickly became the headquarters for Union General Irvin McDowell prior to the Battle of Second Manassas. President Abraham Lincoln was said to have eaten ice cream on the back porch of Liberia while visiting with McDowell.
After the Civil War, some of the Weir family returned to Liberia, but were not able to restore the plantation to its former glory. In later years the Weirs sold the property to prominent Alexandria brewer Robert Portner, who developed Liberia into a successful dairy farm. I. J. and Hilda Breeden, who bought Liberia in 1947, donated the property to the Manassas Museum System in 1986.
Although there is no admission fee, visitors are asked to obtain a ticket. The free tickets are available at the Museum, by emailing jriley@ci.manassas.va.us or by calling 703-368-1873.
On Sunday, September 13 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., visitors will learn about Jennie Dean, the former slave who established a ground-breaking school for African-Americans. The presentation will be at the Manassas Industrial School/Jennie Dean Memorial, (9601 Wellington Road, Manassas, VA 20110).
The Museum and the Prince William County Historic Preservation Division have added a new tour this year at the restored historic African-American Lucasville one room school house, (10516 Godwin Drive, Manassas, VA 20112).
After almost a decade of fundraising by Dean, the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth was chartered on October 7, 1893. With funds solicited from the Manassas area and from philanthropists in Boston, New York, Baltimore, and Washington D.C., Jennie Dean was able to purchase 100 acres and establish a private residential institution providing both academic and vocational training within a Christian setting.
The school’s first building, Howland Hall, was completed in time for the dedication ceremonies led by Frederick Douglass on September 3, 1894. Over the next four decades, despite numerous setbacks from catastrophic fires, the school grew. By the turn of the century, over 150 students studied academic subjects as well as vocational skills such as carpentry and sewing. The school became a regional high school for African-Americans in 1937. The present-day Jennie Dean Elementary School and the Jennie Dean Memorial are on the site of the Manassas Industrial School.
Former Manassas City Council Member Col. Ulysses White will speak about Jennie Dean, life at the Industrial School, and the preservation efforts that turned the site into a memorial. Tickets for the tour and presentation are $5 per family or $3 per person and can be purchased in advance or on the day of the event.
After the tour at the Manassas Industrial School/Jennie Dean Memorial, the nearby Lucasville School will be open for free tours.
Lucasville School is a reconstructed one-room school dedicated to interpreting post-Civil War African-American education in Prince William County, Virginia. Lucasville School is Prince William County's only extant one-room school built for African-American children. Some Lucasville School teachers may have trained at Manassas Industrial School.
In 1870, Virginia's Legislature established a statewide system of free public schools for all citizens. The Manassas District School Board authorized an elementary school for the Lucasville neighborhood in November 1883, and the school was finished by March 1885. Lucasville School closed in 1926. The building was moved in the1930s and remained intact until it was dismantled in 2005. By then, the structure had deteriorated.
Between December 2005 and February 2008, Lucasville School was dismantled and reconstructed through the efforts of citizens, County officials and Pulte Homes, Inc. The Prince William County Historic Preservation Division opens the school for special tours and events.
Tickets for the Jennie Dean tour are available at the Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William Street, online at www.manassasmuseum.org or by calling 703-368-1873. No ticket is needed for the Lucasville School tour.
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