Oct.-Dec. 2009
Vol. 3, No. 4
Richmond, Ky.
'Discovering Together' will unite state
on national Civil War Sesquicentennial

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Donna Neary of the Kentucky Historical Society will be heading up activities related to Kentucky’s participation in the Civil War Sesquicentennial observance, 2011-15. She shares some of her thoughts of what’s ahead and what 16 other states are planning.)

By Donna M. Neary, Director
Civil War Sesquicentennial Initiatives

Commemoration of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War allows reflection and study on the critical role played by Kentucky during this period. This event of international importance from 1861-65 caused social, economic, and political upheaval in the commonwealth, setting the stage for conflicts and misunderstandings that have had lasting effects. Importantly, both Abraham Lincoln, president of the United States during this national crisis, and Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America, were native sons of Kentucky. The state witnessed split family loyalties, was home to slaves and freed men, and was represented by stars on both the Union and Confederate flags.

To commemorate the Civil War in Kentucky, Gov. Steve Beshear signed an executive order on Sept. 2 creating the Kentucky Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission under the auspices of the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS). The commission will be comprised of 25 members, including legislators, educators, members of the Kentucky Arts Council and the Kentucky Heritage Council, and representatives of the public. Appointments to the commission will be made no later than Nov. 1 with the first meeting of the commission expected to occur by the end of the year.

Excitingly, the Kentucky Historical Society will receive a $1,050,000 grant to help Kentucky commemorate the Civil War Sesquicentennial. KHS will use the funds to create programming and projects around the theme “Discovering Together: Kentucky’s Civil War Landscapes.” For more information on the commission and the grant, visit the KHS website at: www.history.ky.gov.

What other states are doing

Alabama state tourism department is working on new brochures of historical landmarks, battle sites and Civil War re-enactments. The Alabama Shakespeare Festival also has commissioned two plays about the start of the Civil War in Montgomery in 1861. The Birmingham Museum of Art will display Civil War related artists in 2011, including Nicola Marshall, portraitist and designer of the first Confederate flag. For more information, visit: http://www.newsday.com/civil-war-sesquicentennial-events-planned-in-ala-1.1367661

The Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission added a comprehensive list of Union and Confederate Arkansas regiments to its website at www.arkansascivilwar150.com/civil-war-sites/regiments. It also launched an e-newsletter to keep readers up to date on recent activities of the commission. The Sesquicentennial Commission is working with local preservation organizations to encourage and support local observances. For more information, visit: http://www.arkansascivilwar150.com.

The Georgia Historical Society and the Georgia Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission has created an index of historical roadside markers and a marker survey blog. For more information, visit: http://georgiamarkers.wordpress.com.

Gov. John Baldacci signed an executive order establishing the Maine Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee in March.

Frederick County, Md., commemorated the county’s role in John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry this past August with exhibits, lecture series, dioramas, living history programs and ceremonies. For more information, visit: http://h-net.msu.edu/cgi-bin/logbrowse.pl?trx=vx&list=H-Maryland&month=0907&week=d&msg=7DCq44062B8tNq2lg/I1Yw.

The Michigan Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission's plan covers grassroots involvement, events and projects, education, heritage tourism, marketing and funding. The work plan is available at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/hal/mhc_cwsesqui-workplan20080917_271582_7.pdf. The Michigan Historical Commission and the University of Michigan-Dearborn held the state’s first Sesquicentennial event on March 12 with the presentation: “John Brown, Frederick Douglass, Detroit, and the Path to Freedom.” Currently, the best source of information on Michigan commemoration activities is a blog written by John M. Dempsey, a member of the Michigan Historical Commission, located at: http://micwc.typepad.com/blog/.

Mississippi has established a 15-member Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. The bill also outlines the organization’s responsibilities and provides for an annual appropriation. For a copy of the bill, visit: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2009/pdf/SB/2200-2299/SB2288SG.pdf.

The Missouri state tourism bureau publishes news and information about Missouri Civil War sesquicentennial efforts on its Civil War tourism website. Currently, the website is promoting re-enactments of the Battle of Pilot Knob at Fort Davidson State Historic Site in September of 2010 and 2014. For more information, visit: www.missouricivilwar.net.

The North Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee is inviting papers exploring facets of the war for three upcoming symposia. The committee has a Facebook page, at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Raleigh-NC/North-Carolina-Civil-War-Sesquicentennial-Committee/105784479554. For more information, visit: http://www.nccivilwar150.com/.

The Ohio Historical Society set aside $100,000 for sesquicentennial commemoration efforts. The City of Akron has planned events to commemorate the sesquicentennial of its role in the organization of John Brown’s Raid. For more details see http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/ohio_travel/49605892.html.

Civil War Pennsylvania 150, a sesquicentennial planning committee, was established under the auspices of the State Historical and Museum Commission and the nonprofit Pennsylvania Heritage Society. CWPA 150 will coordinate statewide initiatives, and facilitate and assist in marketing regional and local activities and events. Planned initiatives include a Pennsylvania Civil War Road Show, K–12 educational materials and branded merchandise. A website is scheduled to launch in September at: www.PACivilWar150.com.

The South Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial Board is planning events to commemorate the anniversary. Plans include placing historical records in digital format, and promoting exhibits, Civil War sites and commemorative events across the state. For more information, visit: http://www.sc150civilwar.palmettohistory.org/sesquimain.htm.

Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission is focused on plans to implement the Tennessee Civil War Trails system in 2010, as well as promoting anniversary events. The Commission has formed committees focusing on preservation, events, activities and education. Communities and historic sites can apply for grants to receive a Civil War Trail marker, directional signage and mention in the trail guide and website to prepare for the sesquicentennial.

A cross-section of Texas historical preservation and heritage organizations are urging the Texas Historical Commission to appoint a committee to coordinate and plan events commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. The letter is available at: http://history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs53x/txcwmb/webbbs_config.pl?noframes%3Bread=11060.

The Virginia sesquicentennial commemoration formally began with ceremonies in Harpers Ferry, W.Va., on June 25. Cheryl Jackson, the executive director of the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, said starting the commemoration in 2009 allows for an emphasis on the importance of the events and forces that brought about the war, as well as various battles or events in the state. Among plans underway by the commission is an educational, multi-media, interactive exhibition that will travel to communities to spread awareness of Virginia Civil War history. In addition, communities and cities throughout Virginia, such as Caroline, Spotsylvania, Culpeper and Fredericksburg/Stafford Counties, have established their own sesquicentennial committees to engage their communities in the process with walks, talks, tours, exhibits, living histories and other events. For more information, visit: http://www.virginiacivilwar.org.

West Virginia established the West Virginia Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission June 6. To see full information about the bill see: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?year=2009&sessiontype=RS. The commission has three chief goals: to mark the 150th anniversary of John Brown’s Raid (Oct. 16-18), to celebrate 150 years of West Virginia statehood (2013) and to commemorate the Civil War in West Virginia. The commission has 11 voting members who will serve through July 1, 2021. For more information, visit: http://www.wv150.com/2009/07/west-virginia-civil-war.html.
Donna Neary
Articles and photos appearing on www.thekentuckycivilwarbugle.com may be used with permission. For permission, contact Bugle editor Ed Ford at fordpr@mis.net.

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