Remember Fort Sumter! An Exhibition at the West Point Museum
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An Exhibition at the West Point Museum
United States Military Academy
West Point, NY –
The West Point Museum has unveiled a special exhibition entitled “Remember Fort Sumter! Operations Against Charleston, 1861-1865.” The exhibition is to run through April 2013.
On April 12, 1861, the Civil War began with the Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter, at Charleston, South Carolina. The garrison, commanded by Major Robert Anderson, surrendered and evacuated the fort on April 14.
Charleston was a powerful symbol for both sides. For southerners, it was at the heart of their independence movement. For northerners, it was the hated “Cradle of the Rebellion.” The city became the focus of military operations that lasted for 567 continuous days, the longest siege of the Civil War. Charleston was finally evacuated by Confederate troops on February 18, 1865.
Charleston was a test bed for new and innovative military technologies. Rifled artillery and volley guns, ironclad gunboats, underwater mines and submarines were combined with blockade running, amphibious assaults, classic siege warfare and naval attacks. Sophisticated operations like Charleston were what West Point cadets trained for, and on both sides, they applied lessons from their schooling and careers.
The importance of the siege was recognized at the time and the museum received objects from Charleston during the war. Today, these objects are a major part of the museum’s Civil War collections. They have never been interpreted before as a group, and new discoveries in the collection are seen for the first time. The exhibition was curated by Leslie D. Jensen, Curator of Arms and Armor, with assistance from West Point Museum staff.
The exhibition Remember Fort Sumter! remains on view from May 20, 2012 thru April 2013 in the Lucas Military Heritage Center at the West Point Museum.
The West Point Museum is open at no charge to the public, seven days a week, from 10:30am to 4:15pm. The Museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Specifics:
Title: Remember Fort Sumter! Operations Against Charleston, 1861-1865
Location: West Point Museum, US Military Academy
Dates: May 20, 2012 to May 1, 2013
Admission: Free - seven days a week, from 10:30am to 4:15pm.
The Museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
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