Free Zoom Lecture on Wed Mar 19th - Civil War Correspondence

From the Lehigh University Press…

Join us on Wednesday, March 19 from 5:00p.m. to 6:30 p.m. via Zoom for The Civil War Correspondence of Charles Lamborn and Emma Taylor, presented by author Dr. Richard Upsher Smith.

In his talk Dr. Smith will present work from his 2023 book, A Quaker Colonel, His Fiancée, and Their Connections. The book is a collection of recently discovered civil war correspondence written by two Pennsylvanians and their family and friends, between 1861 and 1865.

The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session led by Lois Black, Director of Library Special Collections. This event is free and open to the public.

Register

 

"The Lincoln Miracle" a presentation at the Lehigh County Heritage Museum on 3/15

Celebrate Lincoln’s Birthday with a Lecture & Book Signing “The Lincoln Miracle: Inside the Republican Convention that Changed History” with Edward Achorn
Saturday, March 15, 2025 – 1 pm
at the Lehigh County Heritage Museum
432 W Walnut St Allentown

Explore the crucial 1860 Republican presidential nomination in Chicago that candidate Lincoln won. 

Discover the drama that animated the Republican National Convention of 1860. 

Enjoy a slice of Lincoln’s favorite white almond cake from Mary Todd Lincoln’s original recipe.

FREE to members, non-member adults $10, age 2-11 $3, under 2 FREE

Free, In-Person book talk, Last Seen, with Dr. Judith Giesberg on April 26th at Nat CW Museum

Civil War Book Talk with Dr. Judith Giesberg

“Last Seen The Enduring Search by Formerly Enslaved People to Find Their Lost Families”

Join us for a free, In-Person book talk, Last Seen, with Dr. Judith Giesberg on April 26, 2025, from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm, followed by a book signing at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg.

 About he book: Drawing from an archive of nearly five thousand letters and advertisements, the riveting, dramatic story of formerly enslaved peoplewho spent years searching for family members stolen away during slavery. Of all the many horrors of slavery, the cruelest was the separation of families in slave auctions. Spouses and siblings were sold away from one other. Young children were separated from their mothers. Fathers were sent down river and never saw their families again. As soon as slavery ended in 1865, family members began to search for one another, in some cases persisting until as late as the 1920s. They took out “information wanted”advertisements in newspapers and sent letters to the editor. Pastors in. churches across the country read these advertisements from the pulpit, expanding the search to those who had never learned to read or who did not have access to newspapers. These documents demonstrate that even as most white Americans—and even some younger Black Americans, too—wanted to put slavery in the past, many former slaves, members of the “Freedom Generation,” continued for years, and even decades, to search for one another. These letters and advertisements are testaments to formerly enslaved people’s enduring love for the families they lost in slavery, yet they spent manyyears buried in the storage of local historical societies or on microfilm reels that time forgot.

Judith Giesberg draws on the archive that she founded—containing almost five thousand letters and advertisements placed by members of the Freedom Generation—to compile these stories in a narrative form for the first time. Her in-depth research turned up additional information about the writers, their families, and their enslavers. With this critical context, she recounts the moving stories of the people who placed the advertisements, the loved ones they tried to find, and the outcome of their quests to reunite. This story underscores the cruelest horror of slavery—the forced breakup of families—and the resilience and determination of the formerly enslaved. Thoughtful, heart-wrenching, and illuminating, Last Seen finally gives this lesser-known aspect of slavery the attention it deserves.

 

About the Author

 Dr. Judith Giesberg is professor of history and Robert M. Birmingham chair in the humanities at Villanova University. She is the founder and director of the Last Seen archive, and the author of several books on Civil War history, including Army at Home, Emilie Davis’s Civil War, and Last Seen.

Camp Curtin Hist. Soc. presentation at Nat. Civil War Museum on Sunday, March 9

Camp Curtin Historical Society invites you to their meeting and presentation at The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, PA on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM.

How Did They Get Here? The Gettysburg Campaign by Dan Welch

Follow the Union and Confederate armies northward across Virginia, Maryland, and into Pennsylvania during the weeks leading up to the battle of Gettysburg and examine the many battles and events that impacted both before the first shot on July 1, 1863.

  About the speaker: Dan Welch is a park ranger at Gettysburg National Military Park. Dan is the co-author of two works in the Emerging Civil War Series: The Last Road North: A Guide to the Gettysburg Campaign, 1863 and Never Such A Campaign: The Battle of Second Manassas, August 28-30, 1862, as well as Ohio at Antietam: The Buckeye State’s Sacrifice on America’s Bloodiest Day with the History Press.

  Several books by Dan will be available in the book store including The Last Road North: A Guide to the Gettysburg Campaign.

  In addition to the program a used book sale. 10% of proceeds from the book sale will be given to the Museum.

  Admission to the presentation is free, though regular NCWM Museum entry fees apply for access to the galleries.

More Updates on the Wilderness Crossing Fight!

February 25, 2025

Legal Developments Regarding Mega-Development Near Wilderness Battlefield

In a fervent display of dedication to historic preservation, plaintiffs and nonprofit preservation advocates are continuing their bold stand against a proposed mega-development near the historic Wilderness Battlefield in Orange, Virginia. The Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, along with the American Battlefield Trust, Friends of Wilderness Battlefield, and two concerned private citizens, have filed a legal brief urging the Circuit Court of Orange County to allow its lawsuit against the Wilderness Crossing project to move forward. These plaintiffs argue that the development process violated state law and poses a significant threat to invaluable historical
and cultural resources.

The Wilderness Battlefield, a site of immense historical significance, witnessed a pivotal battle during the American Civil War and began what became known as Grant’s Overland Campaign pitting Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant against Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Renowned for its dense forest and intense combat, the battlefield remains a symbol of the sacrifices made during the conflict. CVBT along with partner preservationists have long fought to protect this hallowed ground from encroaching development.

In 2024, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed this 1864 Civil War site among the country's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. The rezoned development area includes land within the battlefield's historic boundaries as identified by NPS.

The Wilderness Crossing project proposes a 2,600-acre mega-development at the gateway to the Wilderness Battlefield. This ambitious undertaking includes a potential of 5,000 residential units and more than 800 acres of commercial and industrial development – nearly 750 acres of which could be data centers and distribution warehouses. The intensity of this development has raised concerns from local residents as well as preservation advocates, because of the potential destruction of historic landscapes and the disruption of the area's cultural fabric.

In their legal brief, the plaintiffs contend that the process to approve the Wilderness Crossing project violated state law. They assert that the rezoning and approval procedures were flawed, lacking transparency and proper consideration of the adverse impacts on historical resources.

The defendants - Orange County and its Board of Supervisors - have asked the judge to dismiss the case. A hearing is scheduled for March 21st on the motion.

The plaintiffs argue that allowing the mega-development to proceed unchecked will cause irrevocable harm to the historical and cultural resources of the Wilderness Battlefield. The development threatens to alter the landscape, erode the historical integrity of the site, and diminish its value as a place of remembrance and education.

“This project is unprecedented in such a historically significant area,” stated Central Virginia Battlefields Trust President Tom Van Winkle. “Orange County did not adhere to correct procedures and failed to respond to multiple inquiries from the National Park Service and other public entities. Additionally, they disregarded substantial opposition from local residents. CVBT, alongside its partners, will continue to advocate for the appropriate course of action for this region and the preservation of our nation’s historical resources”

American Battlefield Trust president David Duncan stated “The public should be able to have confidence that its representatives in government will conduct a good faith, transparent, and thorough process in making such consequential decisions. That did not happen here.” David continued, “This secrecy and haphazard rezoning process deserves to be brought to trial. There is simply too much at stake.”

The lawsuit is led by the American Battlefield Trust, along with the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust Inc., and Friends of Wilderness Battlefield. These three organizations own or manage historic properties near the rezoned land and anticipate substantial negative impacts. These nonprofit groups are committed to the preservation and stewardship of historic properties in the region. Their dedication to protecting the Wilderness Battlefield highlights the importance of this legal action.

Alongside the plaintiffs' filings, the National Parks Conservation Association, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks submitted an amicus curiae brief in support of the Wilderness Crossing lawsuit.

Accompanying the nonprofit organizations are private citizens whose residences directly border the Wilderness Crossing site. These individuals risk significant adverse impacts if the project proceeds, as the development endangers their property values, quality of life, and the conservation of cherished historical landscapes.

The legal filings against the Wilderness Crossing project represent a crucial battle in the ongoing struggle to protect historic sites from modern encroachment. The Central Virginia Battlefield Trust and its allies are determined to uphold state law and preserve the integrity of the Wilderness Battlefield. As the case moves forward, the court's decision will have far- reaching implications for the preservation of historical and cultural resources in Orange, Virginia, and beyond.

Yes, I Want to Support the Wilderness Crossing Fight

What You Can Do!

 We invite you to contribute to our legal efforts against this development and assist us in preserving our historical heritage.

The entities responsible for this development, and others similar to it, possess significant financial resources and have experienced legal teams. However, I am confident that our CVBT members, recognizing the importance of preserving historical sites, will unite to help prevent this irresponsible destruction of our nation's history.

  Click here to learn more about data centers and the Wilderness Crossing fight!

Donate Today

Central Virginia Battlefields Trust has been saving hallowed ground at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville,

The Wilderness, and Spotsylvania Court House for over 25 years. Visit www.cvbt.org to learn more.

 Please note: Central Virginia Battlefields Trust will make every effort to see that funds raised from this appeal will go to the battlefields named. In the event that funds are raised in excess of the amount required, your donation will be put to where the need is greatest.

Gettysburg Cyclorama Receives Rare Cleaning

Gettysburg Cyclorama Receives Rare Cleaning

Feb 5, 2025
From the Gettysburg Foundation

Visitors to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center have a rare opportunity to witness firsthand the careful preservation of one of the nation’s most significant historical artworks this month.

Chief Conservator David L. Olin and his team from Olin Conservation, Inc., based in Great Falls, Va., are conducting an extensive cleaning of the “Battle of Gettysburg” Cyclorama painting, ensuring the iconic 360-degree painting remains preserved for generations to come.

Displayed in its own room at the Museum & Visitor Center, the circular painting portrays the final Confederate assault on July 3, 1863, known as Pickett’s Charge. Spanning longer than a football field and standing taller than a four-story building, the Gettysburg Cyclorama is one of the last surviving examples of a popular 19th-century entertainment format.

“This is our largest object in the park’s collection, so we’re under obligation to maintain and care for it as we would any historical object that the National Park Service owns,” said Greg Goodell, museum curator at Gettysburg National Military Park.

Olin Conservation, Inc. has a longstanding history with the painting, having led its multimillion-dollar restoration from 2004 to 2008 before its relocation to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center in 2008. Routine maintenance has continued since, with a significant mechanical cleaning last conducted in 2013 in preparation for the 150th anniversary of the battle.

The current cleaning process, which will take about seven weeks, involves both mechanical and aqueous cleaning techniques to remove embedded dust and grime. According to Olin, the painting is constantly exposed to environmental factors, including humidity fluctuations and the presence of 500,000 visitors per year. “Those 500,000 people bring with them dust and dirt, and, you know, it’s an active environment,” Olin said.

Unlike traditional paintings housed in protective cases, the cyclorama hangs freely, making it susceptible to airborne particles and gradual deterioration. Olin explained that after years of periodic dry cleanings, conservators determined a more involved approach was necessary. “There’s electrostatic charges to every surface, and so there may be some sort of electrostatic charge that collects dust and doesn’t want to release it,” he said.

Olin futher explained that the team is using a mild chelator system to safely lift dirt without damaging the original paint, adding that adjustments to areas of loss and seams are also being made to maintain the painting’s visual integrity. Olin emphasized that while conservators strive to match colors perfectly, variations in material aging can cause subtle shifts over time. “With a trained eye, the conservators can see when something looks a bit off-color. Now, you might look up there and not really notice that. So that’s why we have to do it,” Olin said.

Cleaning the cyclorama presents logistical challenges, including working 45 feet in the air with heavy equipment around an irreplaceable artwork. “You’ve got 1,200 pounds of sharp metal lift and two crews working 45 feet in the air against an invaluable canvas that could easily be torn or destroyed, costing millions of dollars to repair,” Olin said. Olin also said that his primary concern is the safety of the staff and the painting.

Goodell noted that this time of year is ideal for conservation efforts, as lower visitor traffic minimizes disruptions. “It’s the perfect time to do it,” he said. 

The cleaning process also allows conservators to assess the long-term effects of prior treatments. Olin explained that varnish applied during the 2008 restoration may have drawn out materials left behind from earlier conservation efforts. “Over time, that varnish somewhat acts as a poultice. So it may have leached materials out that we didn’t originally remove back in 2006. Now, we’re trying to figure out how to approach those again without overcleaning it,” Olin said.

As the team refines its cleaning methods, they will also provide recommendations for future preservation. With 14 original fabric sections making up the painting, the project requires meticulous attention to detail. Olin and his team have allocated 60 days to complete the work, with eight conservators alternating between cleaning and touch-ups five days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Gettysburg Foundation, which funds and supports preservation efforts, remains committed to preserving the cyclorama as an immersive educational experience. Painted in 1884 by French artist Paul Philippoteaux, the artwork continues to offer visitors a powerful, three-dimensional perspective of the pivotal moment in American history.

As the conservation effort progresses, Olin and his team are determined to uphold the painting’s integrity while ensuring it remains a vibrant centerpiece for historical reflection. “We’re making sure that structurally everything is sound, and it is indeed as sound as it was the day that we left here in 2008,” Olin said.

Updated Feb. 18, 2025

This story first appeared in the Feb. 5, 2024, edition of the Gettysburg Times.

Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Foundation were pleased to host media outlets on Feb. 4, 2025, to help us tell the story of the important ongoing preservation of the historic, restored Gettysburg Cyclorama painting while it undergoes the special cleaning, scheduled to be completed by Feb. 21, 2025.

After cleaning is complete, the "lights up" program continues through Monday, Feb. 24. The light and sound show of the Cyclorama resumes Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Click on this link to read the original story and see more photos.

GAR Museum Free Zoom Program on March 2nd

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC (G.A.R.) CIVIL WAR MUSEUM & ARCHIVE

 Presents a Free Zoom Program

Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

 “Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape:

Deep Roots, Continuing Legacy” By Amy Cohen

 

In a vividly illustrated presentation, Author Amy Cohen will discuss the long and influential presence of African Americans in Philadelphia and how this history is reflected in monuments, markers, murals, and so forth. After giving a general overview of her book, she will focus on the fascinating history of the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors, a 1934 monument that sits on 20th and the Parkway, across from the Franklin Institute.

 

Amy Cohen spent twenty years as a middle and high school social studies teacher. In 2013, she became the Director of Education at the film company History Making Productions, where she developed educational materials to accompany documentaries, mostly about the history of Philadelphia. Amy produced Octavius V. Catto: A Legacy for the 21st Century which won a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for Historic/Cultural Program Feature. Amy is a frequent contributor to Hidden City, an on-line magazine about Philadelphia’s history and built environment. Her first book Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape: Deep Roots, Continuing Legacy was published by Temple University Press in 2024.

 

To reserve a virtual seat for this outstanding presentation, reply by e-mail to garmuslib1866@gmail.com

 

You will be sent a link with a password that will enable you to access the program within 24 hours of the start of the presentation. 

 

Deadline for signing-up is Saturday, February 28, 2025 at Noon.

 

As a lover of history, you know how critical it is to keep history alive, especially today.  We very much appreciate your continued support for the GAR Civil War Museum & Archive

 

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MUSEUM & ARCHIVE
8110 Frankford Ave. (Holmesburg - N.E. Philadelphia), 19136
 www.garmuslib.org

Experience “An Evening with the (Cyclorama) Painting” at the Gettysburg NMP in March and beyond

Experience “An Evening with the Painting”
at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center
March 15, 2025

 Popular Program Offers an Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Look
at the Historic Gettysburg Cyclorama Painting. 

 Gettysburg, Pa. (Feb. 18, 2025)— The Gettysburg Foundation invites members, visitors and the community to “An Evening with the Painting” Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 5 p.m. This after-hours program offers a rare, behind-the-scenes experience with the historic Gettysburg Cyclorama, combining history, art and preservation in an unforgettable evening.

  Painted in the 1880s by French artist Paul Philippoteaux and a team of assistants, the Cyclorama is an awe-inspiring 42-foot-high, 377-foot-long work of art. Depicting “Pickett’s Charge” on the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the painting is one of the largest oil-on-canvas works in North America. Suspended in-the-round, it creates a 360-degree, three-dimensional effect, immersing viewers in the intensity of the battle.

  “An Evening with the Painting” explores the history of cycloramas, the creation and symbolism of this extraordinary artwork, and the extensive restoration that brought the painting back to life. The program provides attendees with an extended viewing experience, including:

·       Close-up access to observe fine details and distant battle scenes on the Cyclorama platform.

·       An under-diorama view to see how the three-dimensional effect is created.

·       Interactive Q&A to engage directly with program experts.

  The evening begins at 5 p.m. in the Ford Education Center and continues on the Cyclorama platform, offering approximately two hours of programming. Tickets are limited to 40 participants per session, ensuring an intimate and enriching experience.

  Program dates are also offered on the following schedule in 2025:

 Saturday, April 12, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, July 19, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, May 24, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 9, 5-7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 14, 4-6 & 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, June 28, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6, 4-6 p.m.
Saturday, July 5, 5-7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 10, 5-7 p.m.

Ticket reservations for “An Evening with the Painting” are available by calling the Gettysburg Foundation Guest Relations team at 717-334-2436 or by visiting GettysburgFoundation.org. Tickets can also be purchased in advance at the Ticket Counter inside the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, Pa. Friends of Gettysburg receive a member rate when purchasing tickets for this program. The Gettysburg Foundation is the official non-profit partner of the National Park Service at Gettysburg. Proceeds from ticket purchases benefit Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site.

Your History Is Under Threat — Help Us Defend It

“We have not yet begun to fight.”


Those powerful words, spoken by Revolutionary War hero John Paul Jones, echoed across the chaos of battle when surrender seemed inevitable. His ship was sinking. His crew was battered. But his spirit? Unbroken.

Today, we face a battle of our own—not with cannons and muskets, but with petitions, court filings, and the unwavering determination to defend America’s sacred ground.

The historic Manassas Battlefield, where soldiers fought and fell during the Civil War, is under siege—not by armies, but by corporations eager to build the world’s largest data center campus.

 

Thirty-seven massive data centers sprawling over land three times the size of Disneyland, threaten to smother the very ground where American history was written.

This isn’t just any land.


It’s where the Second Battle of Manassas raged in 1862—a battle that saw unimaginable courage and devastating loss. One historian described part of the battlefield as a “whirlpool of death,” where entire regiments were nearly wiped out. The 21st Georgia, for example, lost 184 of its 242 men in a single night.


We cannot allow their sacrifice to be buried under concrete and steel.

 

And it isn't just Manassas; the Wilderness, Brandy Station and many other battlefields are also threatened.

That’s why the American Battlefield Trust has filed an appeal with the Virginia Court of Appeals to overturn the reckless decision that greenlit this development.

 

But this legal battle is fierce, and we cannot win it alone. We need your help in holding the line against impinging development!

Here’s how you can stand with us today:


  SIGN THE PETITION urging Virginia’s leaders to protect our historic battlefields.

 MAKE A GIFT to fuel our legal fight and advocacy efforts.

This is more than a lawsuit. It’s a stand against the erosion of our history. It’s about honoring the soldiers who gave everything—and ensuring future generations can walk these fields, reflect on the past, and understand the price of freedom.

“We have not yet begun to fight.”


Those words remind us that even when the odds are stacked against us, courage and conviction can prevail. That’s the spirit we’re channeling today.

Will you join us?

With determination and gratitude,

David N. Duncan, President

American Battlefield Trust

P.S. The corporations behind this development have deep pockets and powerful lawyers. But we have something stronger: people like you who believe that history is worth fighting for. Please donate today and help us protect America’s sacred ground.

SIGN THE PETITION

DONATE NOW