National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program
 

Topeka to Host 4th Annual National Underground Railroad Conference - July 28-31, 2010

As theUnited States expanded westward, theKansasTerritory became a key battleground betweenfree states and slave states over the issue of slavery.  Amidst this tense sectional conflict, the plight of enslaved individuals became a dramatic opportunity in the fight for freedom.  Prior to the Civil War, antislavery settlers along the Kansas-Missouri border and other “Free Staters” operated the Underground Railroad.  Diane Miller, National Program manager of the National Park Service (NPS) National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program said, “The conference will shed light on how the Underground Railroad in the West influenced the national and territorial struggle to bringKansas into theUnion—whether slave or free. Through exploration of these local histories, conference participants will make connections to a larger national story with global significance.” 

The conference will take place at the Capitol Plaza Hotel inTopeka.  The public is invited to a pre-conference screening of Negroes for Hire, a documentary about slavery inMissouri which will take place at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library onJuly 27, 2010 at7:00 pm.  Film directors Gary Jenkins, J.D. and Jimmy Johnson PhD, will discuss the film in the context of their slave/slaveholder frontier settler families.  The public may register for pre and post conference tours which will give participants an opportunity to visit Underground Railroad sites throughout easternKansas. Conference registrants are invited to an opening reception at the Kansas Historical Society recognizing efforts to preserve Underground Railroad history and heritage such as the newly signedKansas legislation designating a portion of Highway 75 the "Lane Freedom Trail." The conference exhibit hall at theCapitalPlaza will showcase Underground Railroad history and commemorative efforts from across the country, art projects depicting stories of the Underground Railroad created byTopeka areaFreedomSchool students, and conference related materials which will be available for purchase.

The annual conference is sponsored by the Network to Freedom.  Through shared leadership with local, state, and federal entities, as well as interested individuals and organizations, the Network to Freedom promotes the preservation and interpretation of resources associated with the Underground Railroad community. Conference planning was undertaken by the Kansas Network to Freedom Program and a nation-wide planning committee that worked together with cosponsors of this year’s conference. Event hosts include:Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Visit Topeka, Inc., Kansas Historical Society, Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, Brown Foundation, and the Organization of American Historians. Previous conferences have been held inGeorgetown,KY;Philadelphia,PA; andIndianapolis,IN. To register for the conference and for detailed information about conference events, tours, and hotel information visit www.ugrconference.com

2010 Civil War Institute to Host Actor Stephen Lang

and the Musical Performance Civil War Voices

July 2, 20107:00 p.m.

GettysburgCollegeUnionBuilding Ballroom

The closing event for the 28th Annual Civil War Institute Conference atGettysburgCollege will be a two-part presentation featuring a stirring musical production followed by a dramatic narration by one ofAmerica’s renowned actors of stage and screen, Stephen Lang.

The evening will begin with Civil War Voices, a musical that tells the compelling true life stories of five individuals who lived during the Civil War. Joe Harris was a cotton planter fromAlabama with a conflicted conscience. The discovery of the existence of his Civil War diary inspired the play. Elizabeth Keckley was born a slave, bought her freedom, and became Mary Todd Lincoln's closest friend and personal assistant in the White House. Theo and Harriet Perry were a young, married couple fromTexas, who were separated by the war. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was a college professor fromMaine, who enlisted to fight for theUnion.

These intensely human stories, taken from diaries and letters, along with new arrangements of traditional melodies of the period by composer Mark Hayes create a passionate musical experience, allowing the audience a unique peek into the past. Created to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Civil War Voices will be a part of events across the county asAmerica remembers the war that very nearly split her apart. For more information, go to www.civilwarvoices.com.

The second part of the evening will feature actor Stephen Lang. Lang is well known for his performances in the moviesGettysburg and Gods and Generals and most recently for his riveting portrayal of Colonel Miles Quaritch in the blockbuster hit Avatar. Mr. Lang will read excerpts from the recently produced CD Gettysburg. This brand new audio tour and guide presents a gripping journey through the Gettysburg Battlefield. It is based on the works of renowned historian and author, Gabor Boritt. For over thirty years, Boritt has given tours to luminaries ranging from Charlton Heston to the President of theUnited States - and many others. Now this unique experience is brought to thousands more through Stephen Lang's performance of the battle story andLincoln's nation-changing address. Come see this amazing combination of talent as one ofAmerica’s great actors brings to life the work of one ofGettysburg’s great historians.Gettysburg is adapted and produced by filmmaker Jake Boritt. The performance will be followed by a question and answer session and book signing. More information will be available at www.boritt.com in late June.

The event is free and open to the general public. Seats will be available on a first come, first served basis. Doors will open at6:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Civil War Institute atGettysburgCollege and thePennsylvania Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.

The Civil War Round Table of New York Presents The Barondess/Lincoln Award For 2009 to The New-York Historical Society for its Exhibit, “LINCOLNANDNEWYORK”


On March 10, 2010, the Civil War Round Table of New York, in its 59^th year of continuous operation, presented the prestigious BARONDESS/LINCOLN AWARD for the 49th consecutive year to The New-York Historical Society for its Exhibit, “LINCOLNAND NEW YORK.”  

The 2009 BARONDESS/LINCOLN AWARD was presented at the Round Table’s 537^st meeting by Len Rehner, Past President of the CWRT of New York and Chairman of the Awards Committee, and Charles Mander, Current President.  Accepting the award for the The New-York Historical Society were three recipients: Dr. Louise Mirrer, President and Chief Executive Officer; Harold Holzer, Chief Historian; and Richard Rabinowitz, Chief Curator for the Exhibit.
 
The BARONDESS/LINCOLN AWARD was established in 1960.  Dr. Barondess was a distinguished charter member and former vice president of the Civil War Round Table of New York, and this award is presented in his memory.  These awards, in the form of a copy of a bust ofLincoln, is given annually “to any person or institution and for any contribution to the greater appreciation of the life and works of Abraham Lincoln.”  Previous winners have included Doris Kearns Goodwin, Craig Symonds, Gabor Boritt, William Gienapp, William C. Davis, Gary Wills, William Safire, and Gore Vidal, just to name a few.

In its blockbuster exhibit, “LINCOLNAND NEW YORK,” Awards-Committee Chairman Len Rehner described to the audience how “Lincoln can be seen and felt through the incredible artifacts and memorabilia on display.”  He explained how “This evocative show takes one back in time to the visitLincoln paid to New York in February, 1860 to deliver his Presidential credentials speech at the Cooper Union.  Room after room reveals theNew York City of then and the political whirl over the impending Presidential election.  You step into another dimension—be it a saloon with its spittoons or the handbills advertising the excitement of this new man’s appearance.”

ABOUT THE RECIPIENTS

A preeminent educational and research institution, The New-York Historical Society is home toNew York City’s oldest museum and one of the nation’s most distinguished independent research libraries.  Founded in 1804, the Society is dedicated to presenting exhibitions and public programs and fostering research that reveals the dynamism of history and its influence on today’s world.  Its holdings cover four centuries of American history, and include one of the world’s greatest collections of historical artifacts, American art, and other materials documenting the history of theUnited States as seen through the prism of New York City and New York State.

Named President and Chief Executive Officer of The New-York Historical Society in 2004, Dr. Louise Mirrer holds a Ph.D in Spanish and Humanities fromStanford University and has over 20 years of experience as an academic administrator, most recently serving as Executive Vice Chancellor for Academics at CUNY.  An eminent scholar in her field, Dr. Mirrer has published widely on language, literature, medieval studies, and women’s studies, both books and articles, in Spanish and English.  Her most recent book is Women, Jews, and Muslims in the Reconquest Castile.

One of the leading public historians in theUnited States with over thirty years of experience in creating new museums, exhibits, media presentations, and educational programs, Richard Rabinowitz is the founder and president since 1980 of the American History Workshop.  A scholar of American social and religious history, Dr. Rabinowitz has taught at Harvard, Skidmore and Scripps colleges.  His book, The Spiritual Self in Everyday Life: The Transformation of Personal Religious Experience in Nineteenth-Century New England has been recognized as a “thoughtful analysis of what it has meant to be religious inAmerica.”  An award-winning museum and exhibit planner, Dr. Rabinowitz graduated summa cum laude fromHarvard College and received his Ph.D in History of American Civilization fromHarvard University.  

A prolific writer and lecturer and a frequent guest on television, Harold Holzer was Co-Chairman of the United States Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.  He has authored or co-authored over thirty books on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.  He is the 2005 winner of the Lincoln Prize, perhaps the most prestigious award in the field, for Lincoln at Cooper Union (2004); four Barondess/Lincoln Awards from the Civil War Round Table of New York; the coveted Nevins-Freeman Award from the Civil War Round Table of Chicago; and three Awards of Achievement from the Lincoln Group ofNew York.  Educated at the City University of New York, he is currently senior vice president for external affairs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art inNew York City.

ABOUT THE CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE OFNEWYORK

Founded in 1951, The Civil War Round Table of New York generally meets the second Wednesday of the month from September to June. Members assist each other with research, discuss preservation strategy for endangered battlefield, and listen to a distinguished speaker talk about a particular aspect of the war. For the year 2009/2010, the meeting location will be the 3 West Club,3 West 51st Street in Manhattan.

For more information on the Civil War Round Table of New York, please contact The Civil War Round Table of New York at our mailing address:139-33 250 ^th Street, Rosedale, New York 11422.  Or, if you prefer, call 718-341-9811, or email us atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Check out our website at www.cwrtnyc.org.

ABOUT THELINCOLN MASK

A number of years ago, Dr. Mark D. Zimmerman was attempting to negotiate the purchase of a Roman death mask at an antique store.  Hanging nearby was a plaster mask the origin of which no one seemed to know other than it had been included in a large estate sale whose contents were not well documented. As it turned out, it happened to be the mask of Abraham Lincoln.

After several years of Internet searches and endless phone calls to private individuals, major museums, private collections, and many other sources, Dr. Zimmerman realized that this mask was an authentic 19^th century cast from the original 1860 Leonard Wells Volk life mask.  The mask was evaluated at a major university archival research center.  Comparisons were made with their own authentic Lincoln Plaster Mask, and the facial markings, structure and measurements necessary to provide authenticity were exact.  

Dr. Zimmerman took the plaster cast to the Bronzart foundry inSarasota, Florida, and they carefully reproduced the exact mask in bronze from the plaster using the “lost wax technique.”  The Bronze mask weighs approximately 15 pounds with the base of polished black absolute granite weighing 14 pounds.  Abraham Lincoln’s exact signature is inscribed in the front of the base.  The face swivels on a brass pin imported fromItaly.  The total height is approximately 15 inches and the mask alone is 12.5 inches.

Through his generosity, Dr. Zimmerman donated these pieces of art to the Civil War Round Table of New York to be used as the Barondess/Lincoln Award.

The Camp Nelson Foundation and the Jessamine County Fiscal Court in partnership with the Bluegrass Arts Association present: BLOW YE THE TRUMPET, BLOW! a docudrama comissioned through a grant from the Kentucky Arts Council. Written byDonna Phillips & Georgie Riddell

During the American Civil War brave African-American men, women and children escaped to union camps for a chance at freedom.  BLOW YE THE TRUMPET, BLOW! is a work of historical fiction based on the affidavit of Private Joseph Miller, a union soldier with the U.S. Colored Infantry who resided with his wife and children at Camp Nelson.  In the winter of 1864 General Fry commanded the Negro women and children be removed from Camp Nelson.  The tragedy that unfolded as a result of General Fry's cruelty, changed history.  You are guaranteed to laugh and cry as you experience a day in the lives of the African-Americans who took refuge at Camp Nelson during such terrible times.  The drama includes beautiful hymns, spirituals and slave songs from the era. Private Joseph Millier and his family are interred at Camp Nelson. For tickets go to www.bluegrassarts.org.

Outdoor Adventures for the Whole Family and the Civil War Buff inNewport News,Va.

Swim, Bike, Hike, Fish, Play… When you discover the Civil War in Newport News, you can also discover our great outdoors! From our 8,000-acre park to our unique paddleboats, we have recreational activities for everyone in the family. Some of our 45 miles of hiking and biking trails will take you past Civil War fortifications, while others offer beautiful river views.

If mountain biking is more your thing, test out the two trails at Harwood’s Mill. You can go fishing at Lee Hall Reservoir in Newport News Park, site of the 1862 Battle of Dam No. 1, and at Lake Maury at The Mariners’ Museum. One of the longest fishing piers on the East Coast is also a great spot for anglers.

Choose your irons as you challenge fifty-four holes of great golf on three Newport News courses, including the Newport News Golf Club at Deer Run, currently rated 4 stars by Golf Digest. The summer months are great for swimming or playing beach volleyball at Huntington Park and year-round at our Olympic-size pool. And for a little more soft adventure, try disc golf or geocaching.

For more about outdoor adventures in Newport News, Virginia, call our friendly travel counselors toll-free at 888-493-7386 or go online at www.newport-news.org.

In 1861, the First Battle of Manassas, also known as the First Battle of Bull Run and the first major land battle of the American Civil War, was fought near a railroad crossing called Manassas Junction. The Second Battle of Manassas was in and aroundManassas on August 28-30 1862. This made Manassas Junction a strategic position of the Civil War, with rails leading toRichmond, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and the Shenandoah Valley. Despite these two Confederate victories, Manassas Junction was in Union hands for most of the war.   A station has existed here since the original rail line was constructed by the Orange & Alexandria RR, playing a critical part of both battles, and the site of the first Military Railroad in theUnited States. Formerly a Southern Railway passenger station, the depot is now the signature icon of Old Town Manassas, acting not only as a busy stop for daily Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express commuter trains, but home to the Old Town Visitor Center and the James and Marion Payne Railroad Heritage Gallery.

Beginning Friday, June 4, living history exhibitions will begin setting up on the lawn of theManassas Museum as a part of the larger annual Manassas Heritage Railway Festival in Old Town on June 5th. Living historians, authors, and both Union and Confederate re-enactors will be present in camps for public inspection.  Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry drill demonstrations are being planned throughout the day.  Period sutlers vending Civil War memorabilia and provisions will be on site, and period music will include groups such as Evergreen Shade, South Fork and the Chantleers. A special performance by the Mosby Players with Jim Wass and Company will round out the evening, with music and instruction for a 1861 Period Community Dance from6 to 8 o’clock Saturday evening.

This year’s Heritage Railway Festival will be held from10am until4pm around the Old Town Manassas train depot and the Loy E. Harris Pavilion on Saturday, June 5. Once again, the festival will feature elaborate model train displays, the much anticipated VRE Excursion Train to Clifton and back sponsored by Northwest Federal Credit Union at Signal Hill, live entertainment on the main stage featuring the Norfolk Southern Lawmen Band, a kids’ stage with both professional and local talent powered by Radio Disney, food concessions, rides, and vendors of “railroadania”.  Admission to the Heritage Railway Festival and Civil War Weekend is free, and theManassas Museum will also have free admission that day. There is plenty of free parking inOld Town’s multi-story parking garage, conveniently located next to the festival atMain and Prince William Streets. Bring the whole family and enjoy a wonderful day celebrating our area’s rich railroad history!

The Railway Festival signals the beginning of an exciting season of events and activities scheduled for Old Town Manassas. Sunday, June 20th is the 6th Annual Wine and Jazz Festival on Father’s Day, and “CelebrateAmerica”, Manassas’ 4th of July celebration features one of the largest fireworks displays inNorthern Virginia. For more information on these and other events in Old Town Manassas, please visit the community calendar on the HMI website at www.visitmanassas.org.

Appomattox Commemorates the 145^th Anniversary of Lee’s Surrender with a Series of Special Events

Appomattox, Va. – A number of commemorative events are planned for the 145^th anniversary of the surrender of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House onApril 9, 1865.

“This year, we are especially excited to have two groups hosting unique events to commemorate this historic moment in American history,” said Will Simmons, Director of Tourism for the Town ofAppomattox. “Visitors from around the world will be able to catch a glimpse of what life was like for soldiers 145 years ago.”

On April 8-12, 2010 at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, the public is invited to enjoy military and civilian living-history presentations, guided tours, ranger programs, book signings by authors, and a Stacking of Arms Ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

April 9-11 at Clover Hill Village, the Appomattox Historical Society will hold a small-scale reenactment of the events that led to the surrender.   Lee’s Lieutenants, a reenactment group, will be on-hand atClover Hill Village to participate in these activities, including: Lee's last war counsel, General Gordon's attempted break-out, Lee-Grant meeting, Stacking of Arms and Reduction of Colors.

April 17-18, Union and Confederate re-enactment groups will be encamped at theAppomattox Court House National Historical Park. Living history re-enactors will demonstrate historic weapons and battle tactics, including horse-drawn artillery, on the last battlefield of Lee’s Army.  Activities will include cooking, military inspections, drill, and printing of parole passes for Confederate soldiers in the same building where they were printed in 1865. Each day there will also be a “Stacking of Arms Ceremony” along the stage road, exactly where General Lee’s army stacked arms 145 years ago.

April 17, after hours at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Bring your blankets and chairs for an evening concert of Civil War music at the National Park. The 26^th North Carolina Regimental Brass Band will perform a variety of pieces that were familiar to bothUnion and Confederate soldiers. The park grounds will be free after5:00 p.m. and the public is invited to walk the village lanes and visit the re-enactor camps. The concert will be at the McLean House and begin at6:30 p.m.

 
Rock Island Auction Company      

The April 30^th, May 1^st & 2^nd Premiere auction, as always, has something to offer for all levels of collecting.

The auction has over 100 Civil War arms, including many rare and high conditioned arms from Starr Arms, Richmond Armory, Burnside, Remington, Whitney, Savage and others. There are also two fine historically significant examples which are an exceptional Gustave Young deluxe engraved, factory cased and Civil War Officer inscribed Colt model 1851 Navy revolver engraved “Lieut Jas B. Smith/Co D National Guards 2^nd Regt Philada”, and an inscribed and identified Civil War New Haven Arms Co., Henry lever action rifle belonging to “Peter Church / Co.C. 23^rd I11 Vols”. For the sword collectors there is a rare Miller & Co., presentation cavalry officer’s saber with Collins & Co. The upper scabbard mount has an integral, oval, plate inscribed: “COL. NELSON WALL. / - from Officers of - / the 4^th R.I.M.”   This is only one of nearly 100 swords in this auction including several Union and Confederate. 

The auction also features the C.W. Slagle Firearms Estate Collection to include Derringers, palm pistols, powder flasks and other curio type firearms. C.W. Slagle was well known throughout the firearms collecting industry and especially known for his collection of unusual and unique antique and Curio & Relic firearms. There are also a number of Civil War arms from the collection including an impressive Morrill, Mosman & Blair Elgin patent cutlass pistol, serial number 52 (largest known example).

Appomattox, Va. – Appomattox Court HouseNHP will commemorate the 145^th anniversary of the surrender of General Robert E. Lee to General Ulysses S. Grant with two weekends of special activities in April.  Starting April 8^th (Thursday) through the 12^th(Monday) the park will offer a series of special tours and programs, including hands-on activities for kids on the weekend. The public is invited to enjoy military and civilian living history presentations, guided tours, ranger programs, book singings by authors, and a Stacking of Arms Ceremony on Sunday afternoon. 

The following weekend, April 17^th and 18^th, Union and Confederate re-enactment groups will be encamped in the village. They will demonstrate historic weapons and battle tactics, including horse-drawn artillery, on the last battlefield of Lee’s Army. On Saturday night, the 17^that 6:30 p.m., visitors are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs for a free evening concert of Civil War period music at the McLean House by the 26^th NC Brass Band.  During this weekend, visitors will have a chance to visitUnion and Confederate camps and learn about the life of a common Civil War soldier. Activities will include cooking, military inspections, drill, and printing of parole passes for Confederate soldiers in the same building where they were printed in 1865. Each day there will also be a “Stacking of Arms Ceremony” along the stage road, exactly where General Lee’s army stacked arms 145 years ago. There will also be anexhibit by Civil War artifact collector Russell Hicks at the Tavern Guesthouse.  For a full detailed list of activities during both weeks, please visit the calendar of events on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/apco.

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is located on Highway 24, 3 miles from Appomattox. The park is open daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Entrance fees are $3 per person, or $5 per vehicle. Children 15 and under are free. Specific questions about the events should be directed to Bert Dunkerly at 434-352-8987 ext. 31 or the park visitor center at ext. 26.