Monday, June 02, 2008

Chambersburg Seminar is just around the corner














Yes indeedy, Park Historian Ted Alexander (right) reminds one and all that the time draws near for the annual Chambersburg Seminar.  The event that brings together world-class Civil War historians with world-class Civil War enthusiasts just like you!

Scroll down for all the info.  Or click here to go directly to their website.

As always Ted will be putting on a spectacular event.

-----------------------------------------

Chambersburg Civil War Seminars Information
Dear fan of history,

For serious students of the Civil War, seminars offered each year in Chambersburg, offer an opportunity to learn from well-known scholars and to visit the Gettysburg and Antietam battlefields and other nearby historic sites. If you are not interested in any of the seminars listed below, perhaps you could tell someone else who may be interested.

The second seminar of 2008 will focus on Abraham Lincoln and will be held May 16-17 at Quality Inn and Suites, 1095 Wayne Ave., Chambersburg, Pa. The symposium begins May 16, with an optional early morning tour by John Schildt, author of more than 20 books, among them “Four Days in October: Lincoln's Antietam Visit.” Schildt will take participants to sites on the Antietam National Battlefield visited by President Lincoln in October of 1862. He will explain their significance, along with how history hasrecorded Lincoln's visit.

"This is an opportunity to walk through time, to walk in the footsteps of Lincoln," said Ted Alexander, chief historian at Antietam National Battlefield. The main symposium begins at 3:30 p.m. May 16, when Gloria Swift, curator at Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, will speak on "Artifacts of the Ford's Theatre Collection." Lincoln authority Jason Emerson, author of the critically acclaimed books “The Madness of Mary Todd Lincoln” and “Lincoln the Inventor” will present a program titled, "Lincoln the Inventor." Keven Walker, curatorial resources historian at Antietam National Battlefield, will speak on "Mr. Lincoln's Washington." The final May 16 program will be presented by Lincoln Group of New York President, Joseph Garrera, whose multi-media presentation will explore Abraham Lincoln's image in American popular culture.

The second day of the symposium will begin with award-winning scholar John Waugh, author of “One Man Great Enough:Abraham Lincoln's Road to Civil War.” He will present a program titled, "Lincoln and the Road to War." Saturday's second speaker will be historian Larry Denton, author of “A Southern Star for Maryland,” who will present "William Seward's Remarkable Effort to Prevent Civil War."

Other Saturday lectures include Jason Emerson speaking on his new book, “The Madness of Mary Lincoln.” Lincoln scholar Burrus Carnahan, author of “Act of Justice:Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and the Law of War,” will speak on the Emancipation Proclamation. Participants also will discuss myths about President Lincoln and whether Mary Todd Lincoln was mentally ill. In addition, there will be a special luncheon featuring Lincoln's favorite foods. "This will be one of our best symposiums ever," said Alexander, who described the seminars as "educational, with some of the top people in the field, but we also have a lot of fun."

They bring people to Franklin County, too. Just seven of the 57 people who registered for the March seminar on George Armstrong Custer were from Franklin County. The other 50 were from 11 states: In addition to other counties in Pennsylvania, participants came from the states of California, Florida, Michigan, Connecticut, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia and Ohio.
Other seminars scheduled this year:

-The Gettysburg Experience, July 23-27.
-The Men Stood Like Iron, the Iron Brigade from Second Manassas to Gettysburg, Oct. 3-5.
Costs vary depending on the sessions attended. Price includes motor coach transportation for guided tours, seminar materials and some meals. For more information, call Cindy Baker at 1-717-264-7101 or see the Web site, www.chambersburgcivilwarseminars.org. The Chambersburg Civil War Seminars present the opportunity to learn about this heritage through the study of the battles, leadership, motives and the political and military campaigns as well as the impact of the war on daily life. Here are some of the comments from participants of our recent seminar focusing on George Armstrong Custer:

“All (of) the stops on the tours were great. … The Sunday talks really capped the visits to the battlefields.” – Anne Zemke of Lakeland, Mich.

“…Ed Bearss (was) phenomenal as usual.” – Bill and Anna Veronda of Wycoff, N.J.

Other comments, as published by the newspaper Public Opinion:
“Richard Bell of Greencastle said he attended the seminar for the first time and was quite impressed. He had heard some of the speakers in the past and wanted to see what the seminar made available. Bell became interested in Civil War through his work with genealogy: ‘I like to focus on the different people in the war,’ he said of his reading. ‘I've enjoyed learning about Custer.’

The Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce and Alexander have been offering seminars since 1989. Chambersburg is about 25 miles west of Gettysburg and just a bit farther from Sharpsburg, Md.

Chambersburg Civil War Seminars and Tours 2008


LINCOLN SYMPOSIUM

May 16-17, 2008 Chambersburg
With Ed Steers, John Waugh and others. Optional tour of Lincoln's Antietam visit with John Schildt.

THE GETTYSBURG EXPERIENCE

July 23-27, 2008
5 days of tours, talks, panels and other special events, including a visit to the new Gettysburg Visitors Center. Featuring Ed Bearss, Kent Masterson Brown, Pat Falci, Gary Kross, Wayne Motts, Andy Waskie, Jeffry Wert, Eric Wittenberg, and others. Tours include Stuart's Ride to Gettysburg, Eisenhower's Gettysburg, and the Making of the Movie "Gettysburg" and much more.

THE MEN STOOD LIKE IRON

October 3-5, 2008
The Iron Brigade from Second Manassas to Gettysburg. Tours and talks by Ed Bearss and Lance Herdegen. Sites visited include Manassas, South Mountain, Antietam and Gettysburg.

Chambersburg Civil War Seminars & Tours, 100 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg PA 17201. 717- 264-7101. chaden@chambersburg.org.

No comments: