New Gettysburg E-book Announced - "Artists at Gettysburg"

STeve Sanders - “Artists at Gettysburg”

To purchase - click this link

As the 3-day Battle of Gettysburg raged, on-site visual depictions of the struggle were recording the action real-time. These have been mostly overlooked for over 160 years. Though scholars have scrutinized nearly every aspect of this historic event, drawings and paintings made by eyewitnesses — the only real visual documentation of the action — have all but been forgotten.

Artists at Gettysburg presents this unique collection — the work of two "special artists" and a Union soldier — in full color plates. This 68-page book appeals to art enthusiasts, Civil War buffs, historians, or any reader who enjoys compelling, true stories. Anecdotal essays animate the scenes, place them in context, and evoke the action of the battle. All 63 of these unique artworks have been faithfully reproduced from the originals.

Steve Sanders' fine art education, his 40-year professional career in 3-d design as well as his experience as a tour guide at the White House of the Confederacy Museum, has fostered his interest in historical events containing unique artistic elements. His research in the combat artists of the Civil War inspired him to consider whether any of their 1000s of pieces of extraordinary original art & the stories behind them still existed.

Astonishingly, Alfred Waud and Edwin Forbes, artists working for competing weekly newspapers, actually documented the action as the battle raged on. In addition to a handful of images that have been published previously, the author's painstaking research uncovered more than 4-dozen additional drawings that have rarely been seen.

The collection the author assembled constitutes the only visual documentation of the action created during the battle & its immediate aftermath. It is a compelling, valuable archive that deserves to finally be seen.

NPS Announces Gettysburg Superintendent will Move to Independence

Philadelphia, PA – Steven Sims has been named the new superintendent of Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, which includes Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site, Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial. He is expected to begin his new position in mid-November.


"Steve brings extensive park management and community engagement experience from several sites pivotal to our national heritage,” said National Park Service Northeast Deputy Regional Director Cinda Waldbuesser. “His experience working closely with the community and developing his staff as superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site will be essential as we head toward the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation in 2026.”


“I am excited to begin my new role as the superintendent of Independence National Historical Park,” said Sims. “As a descendant of a Revolutionary War soldier and former Army Officer, it is an honor to steward the stories, places, and artifacts that formed the bedrock of this nation.  I look forward to working with the dedicated staff, park partners, and the great city of Philadelphia to preserve and protect our nation’s historic resources and to educate the public about them.”


Sims has been the superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site since January 2020. His previous assignments include superintendent of Valley Forge National Historical Park, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, and the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail. Sims has also previously worked in the National Park Service Northeast Regional Office, Independence National Historical Park and National Mall and Memorial Parks. Prior to Steve’s National Park Service career, he was an engineering consultant as well as an engineer and commissioned officer for the U.S. Army.


Sims holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy, a Master of Business Administration from Norwich University, and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri. He is also currently working on a graduate certificate in Environmental Policy from George Washington University.


Steve is originally from Tehachapi, California. He is married and has two children. His hobbies include hiking, gardening, fly fishing, and beekeeping.

Video of Dennis Frye's ACWM Presentation on John Brown's Raid

The American Civil War Museum treats us to a video of renown former NPS ranger Dennis Frye’s recent presentation on John Brown.

Uncover the enigmatic figure of John Brown and his lasting impact on history as historian and former Harper's Ferry Park Ranger, Dennis Frye, navigates through the public's varying opinions, from viewing him as a devil or martyr to questioning whether he was a terrorist or freedom fighter.

We dive into the complexities of Brown's legacy as an abolitionist, his relationship with Frederick Douglass, and their plan to bankrupt the South in the lead-up to the American Civil War.

Click here for the YouTube Video

Civil War flag center offers ‘immersive experience

By Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com

Civil War enthusiasts have a new attraction to take in when visiting Pennsylvania’s capital.

The completed Pennsylvania Civil War Battle Flag Education Center features not only one of the nation’s largest collection of state-issued regimental flags but an interactive exhibit detailing the stories behind them and the people who carried them…

Story is at … this link

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GRAND OPENING!
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2023

The Capitol Preservation Committee is proud to announce the Grand Opening of the NEW Pennsylvania Civil War Battle Flag Education Center on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. A ribbon cutting ceremony will start at 9:30am with the Education Center remaining open until 4:00PM.

The Open House will continue Thursday and Friday, October 5th & 6th from 9:00AM - 4:00PM.

All are invited and welcome to attend the Grand Opening or Open Houses to tour the new exhibit focusing on Pennsylvania's Civil War regiments, battle flags, and color bearers highlighted through images and artifacts of valor.

The Pennsylvania Civil War Battle Flag Education Center will resume normal tours on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, by appointment only. To schedule a tour, contact Jason Wilson at (717) 783-6484 or jwilson@cpc.state.pa.us

The Pennsylvania Civil War Battle Flag Education Center is located at 2221 Forster Street, Harrisburg.

NPS Awards $3.3 million To Protect 120 Acres At Five Civil War Battlefields

From National Parks Traveler September 26, 2023

A section of landscape near Trevilian Station to be protected and interpreted as a site of a calvary battle during the Civil War in Louisa County, Virginia/NPS

The National Park Service awarded $3.29 million through the American Battlefield Protection Program to protect 120 acres at battlefields in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia.

State and local governments spearhead the projects funded by ABPP grants to protect significant battlefield landscapes that are vital to the shared history of their communities and the nation. The Land and Water Conservation Fund, which reinvests revenue from offshore oil and natural gas leasing to help strengthen conservation and recreation opportunities across the nation, makes these awards possible. 

“These awards expand the local stewardship efforts of state and local governments with their preservation partners to increase protection of the irreplaceable historic and cultural landscapes in their communities,” said Park Service Director Chuck Sams.   

An example of this expanded preservation is the acquisition at Trevilian Station Battlefield. The property was the site of significant action for much of the first day of the Battle of Trevilian Station on June 11, 1864. During the morning hours, Brigadier General George A. Custer’s Michigan Cavalry Brigade took a side road down to the Gordonsville Road and headed toward Trevilian Station. When his column turned, Custer spotted a large Confederate wagon train in the road ahead of him. He ordered two calvary units, the 5th and 6th Michigan Cavalry, to charge. However, a quick response by the Confederates encircled Custer’s command, which stood alone until additional Union cavalry could make its way through later in the afternoon. This acquisition is near almost 100 acres of protected battlefield secured with previous grant awards. The location to the south of Trevilian Station and the Virginia Central Railroad is already an interpretive tour stop for the battlefield. 

The grants were distributed to: 

Fort Sumter's Historic Civil War-Era Flags To Be 'Rested' For Conservation

The 33-star U.S. flag is one of several flags at Fort Sumter to go into storage for a while/NPS file

In an effort to help preserve the life of Civil War-era flags, several flags at Fort Sumter Fort Moultrie National Historical Park in South Carolina will be removed from the park museum and stored in the dark for a period time to rest.

Fort Sumter’s historic Civil War-era flag collection consists of the Palmetto Guard, the United States 33-star storm, and United States 33-star garrison flags. They will be removed from public display for an indefinite period beginning September 19. It is anticipated that the removal will take two days and the Fort Sumter Museum will be closed during this time.   

The historic flags need to be rested for their long-term preservation, a park release said. The exhibition of textile artifacts like flags must limit humidity fluctuations and prevent long-term irreversible light damage that make them progressively more fragile. While all the flags underwent conservation prior to display in the museums, they have been on display for more than 20 years. Despite taking great care to protect the artifacts, they are best preserved when stored in a clean, dark, cool, and dry environment for periods of rest, the release added. 

The United States garrison flag flew over Fort Sumter until it sustained wind damage the night of April 11, 1861. It was replaced by the smaller United States storm flag that endured a 34-hour bombardment from Confederate artillery that precipitated the beginning of the American Civil War. The Palmetto Guard flag was the first Confederate flag to fly over the fort after the departure of the United States Army on April 14, 1861. 

 

NPS Proposes To Raze Old Buildings At Harpers Ferry NHP

The National Park Service is proposing to raze the Henkle farmhouse and four other structures at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia/LOC

Five post-Civil War structures within Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia that are in dilapidated condition would be razed under a proposal the National Park Service has opened to public comment.

The structures, located in a wooded area on Schoolhouse Ridge South about a mile south of Route 340 along Millville Road, are in a severe state of disrepair and pose a serious safety hazard to visitors and staff, according to the Park Service.

Through this project, the park staff would remove the structures while leaving the foundations and any contributing cultural landscape features in place, including ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers.

By removing these buildings, the existing landscape will more closely resemble the battlefield cultural landscape of the Battle of Harpers Ferry in 1862.  

Jacob “Furl” Henkle built his house and established Henkle Farm sometime after 1906, Park Service records show. The family then sold the property to the Standard Lime & Stone Company. The company likely built the dairy barn, milk house, silo, and shed/corn crib after 1920. The Standard Lime & Stone Company abandoned the farm in the 1950s, and it has since sat vacant and unused. 

Comments on the proposal are being taken through September 22. You can learn more about the project and leave your comments at this website.

These roads will be closed at Gettysburg National Military Park for work

From ACC27.com

GETTYSBURG, Pa. (WHTM)– Parts of Gettysburg National Military Park will be closed in the upcoming months for road work.

Repaving for park roads west and north of Gettysburg (Day 1 Battlefield) and the East Cavalry battlefield will start on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

The project will go on for three months and during that time there will be road closures mainly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. as work goes on Sunday through Thursday. Friday is reserved as a rain date.

No work will also done on federal holidays or during the weekend.

Below are the roads scheduled to be repaved:

  • Oak Ridge parking area: September 5-7 with striping to follow. 

  • Eternal Light Peace Memorial parking area: September 5-8 and 10-14 (Friday work is required due to the Labor Day federal holiday) with striping to follow. 

  • North Confederate Avenue: September 14-18 with shoulder work to follow. 

  • Doubleday/Wadsworth Avenues: September 18-20 with shoulder work to follow. 

  • Buford Avenue: September 20-22 with shoulder work and striping to follow. 

  • Reynolds Avenue: September 22-26 with shoulder work and striping to follow. 

  • West End Guide Station parking area: September 26-27 with striping to follow. 

  • Stone/Meredith Avenues: September 27-29 with shoulder work and striping to follow. 

  • Howard Avenue: September 29 to October 4 with shoulder work and striping to follow. 

  • Jones-Battalion Avenue: October 4-5. 

Local York County brewpub expanding; opening at new historic location

For the East Cavalry battlefield roadwork will occur throughout the day leaving the below roads closed:

  • United States Calvary Avenue: From October 16-23. 

  • Confederate Calvary/Gregg Avenues: From October 23 to November 9. 

For more information regarding the upcoming replacement project for the park can be found online at its website.