The Taft Museum of Art will present a series of programs in commemoration of the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War.

“We wanted to take a look at the war from a variety of perspectives,” said Taft Manager of Public Programs Mary Ladrick. “Through lectures, demonstrations, and first-person interpreters, topics such as the Underground Railroad, Civil War clothing, politics, and women’s participation in the war will be explored.”

The program on January 18 will include a lecture about the Underground Railroad in Southern Ohio by Dr. Eric R. Jackson, associate professor and director of the Black Studies program at Northern Kentucky University. Dr. Jackson is currently co-authoring a book on the subject. The lecture will be followed by an interactive show of Civil War clothing by the Ladies Living History Society of Greater Cincinnati.

On January 25, the program will feature reenactors Joyce B. Baer and Betsy Miskell in “An Afternoon with Catherine Coffin and Harriet Beecher Stowe.” In “Mr. Lincoln”, Stanley A. Wernz, a life member of the Association of Lincoln Presenters, will share the thoughts and comments of our 16th president in Abraham Lincoln’s own words.

On February 1, Dr. Annette E. Jefferson, founder and chief creative officer of DeArk Enterprises, discusses how women of African descent without access to political power acted with will to make a difference. Mary Ladrick will end the series with a discussion of how Cincinnati families such as the Longworths, Lytles, and Tafts helped lead the country to freedom and peace.

This program is made possible, in part, by the Ohio Humanities Council, state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Due to their support, the programs are free to the public.

Reservations are required. Call 513-684-4515 or visit www.taftmuseum.org and look for Civil War Saturdays on the Events menu. All programs take place from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.