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American Civil War: A History of Ordinary People in Extraordinary Times
This series will focus on the experiences of ordinary Americans in the Civil War rather than leading army commanders and politicians. Beginning with slavery and the causes of the war, we will trace the experiences of common soldiers and civilians in the nation at large, and New Jersey specifically, during the course of the conflict. To round out the series, we will examine the debate among historians over the war and its meaning as reflected in school textbooks.
A variety of activities including theatrical and musical performances, an artifact display and an encampment will complement the series. Please check weekly descriptions for more details.
All lectures and performances are free and open to the public.
Lectures will be held in Civic Hall, inside the Connector Building, on the Blackwood Campus
Performances will precede lectures (check weekly descriptions for times)
September 14
6 p.m. Mariarosa Milorey will present her dance troop performing Slave Dances from the era in order to enhance understanding of the harsh lives of slaves and their methods of coping. Following the dance presentation, Ms. Milorey and her troop will answer questions in character regarding slave life.
7 p.m. American Slavery: Was it really that Bad?
Wayne Glasker, Associate Professor of History and Director of the African American Studies Program, Rutgers University Camden will explore the questions: Was plantation slavery a benevolent and paternalistic institution or was it a genocidal concentration camp? How do historians strike the right balance between acknowledging the genuine tragedy of slavery and honoring the resilience of people who resisted oppression and survived?
September 21
6 p.m. Actors in costume will circulate among the audience as a slave owner's son/Confederate officer, an African American Union soldier and a field nurse. They will express their views and answer questions in character. They will end with a brief dramatic interaction between the characters.
7 p.m. 'We are Two Peoples:' Southern Cultural Nationalism and the Coming of the War
Douglas Ambrose, Professor of History, Hamilton College will focus on the development of southern nationalism and the vision of the South as the protector of Christianity and civilization as opposed to the immoral and destructive forces of a modern free society.
October 5
2 – 7 p.m. Joseph Wilson will display his extensive collection of authentic Civil War artifacts and answer questions about them relating to the lives of soldiers and the war.
7 p.m. The Common Soldier in the Gettysburg Campaign
Jim Martin, Licensed Battlefield Guide, Gettysburg will focus on the make-up of Union and Confederate armies in the Gettysburg Battle as well as on the soldiers' experiences in combat and camp life.
October 12
6 p.m. Professor Michael Billingsley will coordinate a musical accompaniment to the silent film Birth of a Nation which presents a revisionist history and shaped attitudes toward the war for decades.
7:30 p.m. History! Whose History? Written by Whom? The Struggle Over the Civil War in American School Textbooks
Jonathan Zimmerman, Professor of History and Education, New York University will examine how American history textbooks have described, discussed and distorted the Civil War over the past 150 years. African Americans, white Northerners and white Southerners have all told different stories about the war in their schoolbooks. Therefore, the history of our textbooks tells us much about the distinctive role of American schools in fostering historical conflict, understanding and memory.
October 22
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Saturday) Civil War Encampment
Richard Mendoza and the 12th NJ Re-enactor Unit will present drills, recreate a soldier's disciplinary hearing and a mail call and answer questions about army life.
Fred Mossbacher, 7th N.J. Re-enactors Unit, will conduct drills and demonstrate military maneuvers followed by a question and answer period.
October 26
7 p.m. President Abraham Lincoln's Relationship with the Troops
Michael Burlingame, Chancellor Naomi B. Lynn, Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies, History Department, University of Illinois-Springfield, will explore the sources of the deep affection and confidence Union solders had in their commander-in-chief as expressed when they sang "We Are Coming, Father Abraham, 300,000 More." Among the topics covered will be Lincoln's use of the pardoning power, his paternal quality and his eloquence in explaining the nature of the cause for which the soldiers fought.
November 2
7 p.m. What Difference did Slavery make to the Ordinary Civil War Soldier?
Chandra Manning, Associate Professor of History, Georgetown University, will deal with the question of slavery's relevance and meaning to rank-and-file soldiers by explaining what slavery meant to Confederate, white and black Union soldiers. She will explain how slavery was linked to the soldier's war and trace how soldiers' ideas about slavery, race and war changed over time.
November 16
7 p.m. The Role of New Jerseyans in the Civil War
William Gillette, Professor of History, Rutgers University New Brunswick, will consider the reaction of New Jersey's servicemen and civilians to the Civil War and will examine the meaning and record of New Jersey's participation in the conflict.
