Local ACW events: February 2009 Archives

February 12, 2009, marks the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. I attended the dedication ceremonies this afternoon at Hanover Junction, Pennsylvania, where Lincoln changed trains en route to deliver the Gettysburg Address (and again as he was returning to Washington, D.C.). Sculptor Joe Kelly created an impressive bust of Honest Abe, and it was formally dedicated today in a brief ceremony that included local politicians, York County Parks officials, local preservationists, and Lincoln / Civil War buffs.

Codorus Valley historian and preservationist Ray Kinard reads the Gettysburg Address to the crowd who braved some very windy conditions, with gusts over 40 miles an hour at times. Ray and I have frequently exchanged notes about the Hanover Junction and Jefferson area during the Gettysburg Campaign.

Here is a press released I received from the president of our neighboring group, the Gettysburg Civil War Round Table...

"The oldest professional guide service in America proudly announces its annual autumn seminar. This year we will be presenting the stories of several hard fighting but often-neglected Gettysburg brigades. The weekend includes special in-depth walking tours with experienced battlefield guides, Friday night reception, two breakfasts and two lunches, Saturday night banquet, maps and materials, and more."

Among the guides scheduled to present at this very interesting program is an old friend of the York CWRT - Dr. Charlie Fennell, who, like my oldest son, is an adjunct history professor at a branch campus of Harrisburg Community College.

Lancaster Civil War Round Table invites the public to join them for an evening with known Civil War battlefield photographer, Chris Heisey as he presents " Heart Drawn to See - Images of our Battlefields".

The evocative Civil War imagery of Mr. Heisey has appeared in more than 70 publications, including books In the Footsteps of Grant and Lee: The Wilderness Through Cold Harbor and Gettysburg: This Hallowed Ground, and periodicals National Geographic Traveler, Popular Photography, and North and South. Commissioned by the National Park Service and the U.S. Congress for numerous assignments, his work has earned several merit citations including a recent Photo of the Century award.

The Lancaster Civil War Round Table will meet at the Lititz Public Library located at 651 Kissel Hill Road in Lititz at 7:00pm on Thursday, February 12th, 2009. Join Chris as he shares stories of his photographic journeys. You'll be astounded at the magnificence that his camera captures on the battlefields.

Pre-registration is suggested by emailing your name, phone number and the number attending to srihn@lititzlibrary.org or call the library at 626-2255. If you have questions about the program, call Micky at 392-4976 or email lancastercivilwarroundtable@gmail.com.

These programs are free and open to the public.