Civil War Day at the Museum
As part of the Civil War Sesquicentennial series, on Saturday, September 17th the Monroe County Historical Museum hosts a “Civil War Day” with authors, book signings, and presentations throughout the day. Admission pass is $4 per adult, $2 per child, 5 and under are free. The pass enables paid visitors to come back time FREE for the rest of 2011.
The Museum opens at 10:00 a.m. A special “Uncasing of the Colors” will take place at 10:30 a.m. with the unveiling of a new Civil War George A. Custer guidon display on loan from the Custer family.
Author presentations start after the flag opening, featured (in no order):
- Marty Bertera and Kim Crawford, have researched
and written about the 4th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Mr. Bertera
having published several books on battles involving this unit. Mr. Crawford is a veteran Michigan newspaper reporter and author of another regimental history. Their most recent collaboration is The 4th Michigan Infantry in
the Civil War, gleaned from extensive primary research, telling the story of
the soldiers and the unit from formation to disbandment a year after the war
ended. It is extensively footnoted, with the latest research.
- Jack Dempsey, former assistant attorney general
for the State of Michigan and author of Michigan and the Civil War: A Great and Bloody Sacrifice (2011) which presents the story of Michigan and its citizens’ heroic role in saving the Union during the Civil War. From before the war to its conclusion, the book covers soldiers, women, units and contributions made from the state. Mr. Dempsey has a Civil War blog and is involved with the Michigan Historical Commission, Michigan History Foundation and Historical Society of Michigan. His website is http://www.micwc.typepad.com
- Carol E. Mull, a founding member of the Michigan
Freedom Trail Commission is a historic preservationist, Underground Railroad scholar, and the author of the book The Underground Railroad in Michigan. Many mid-nineteenth-century citizens of Michigan rose
up to protest the moral offense of slavery; they published an abolitionist
newspaper and founded an anti-slavery society, as well as a campaign for
emancipation. By the 1840s, a prominent abolitionist from Illinois had crossed the state line to Michigan, establishing new stations on the Underground Railroad. This book is the first comprehensive exploration of abolitionism and the network of escape from slavery in the state.
- Brian J. Egen, also a Monroe native, is a lifelong Civil War reenactor and historian, and has worked at Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford in Dearborn for many years. He was featured with a speaking role in the movie “Gettysburg” and has been involved with films. He is currently Special Programs Manager and Equine Operations Manager at the Henry Ford. He will present a program and documentary he produced for the National Park Service on the battle of Antietam September 17th, 1862.
- Making an appearance will be Steve Alexander from Monroe, Monroe’s George A. Custer historian has authored several booklets on Custer and now has compiled the book G.A. Custer to the Little Big Horn, an in-depth study of the man behind the controversy.