News

May14

York Historical Committee announces Civil War lecture series

5/14/2012 11:02:00 AM by Gail Whittaker

May 14, 2012

FOR RELEASE AT WILL

The York County Historical Committee is hosting a Civil War lecture series designed to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in York County.

The Historical Committee is a group of volunteer citizens who are appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Its mission is to document, celebrate, and perpetuate York County’s historical importance, and to keep alive the traditions which formed the foundations of America’s heritage. The following series of lectures is free and open to the public. All lectures will be presented in York Hall, 301 Main Street, Yorktown, and will begin at 3 p.m. Lectures are approximately one hour in length.

May 20 – “The Peninsula Campaign.” J. Michael Moore, Historian and Curator at Lee Hall Mansion and Endview Plantation, will lecture on many well-known and not-so-well-known facts about the Peninsula Campaign and why it failed to end the war in the spring of 1862.
June 10 – “The War Comes to Ship Point.” Frank Green, local historian and President of the York County Historical Society, will lecture on how the Civil War affected the Dare Community, with specific emphasis on Ship Point.
July 15 – “York County’s Brave Men of the Civil War.” Tim Smith, local historian and professional actor, will share photos and stories of York County residents who served during the War, many who made the ultimate sacrifice. Mr. Smith has conducted research on all of the soldier’s names who appear on the York County War Memorial and was instrumental in having the monument created.
Aug. 19 – “The Yorktown-Hampton Halfway House in Tabb.” Over the last 18 years, Robert Emerson, a local historian, has researched the history of Tabb. Recently, Mr. Emerson combined some of his published articles with other unpublished information in a book titled, “Tabb in Retrospect.” The chapters on the Halfway House and the Civil War form the core of the book and the basis of Mr. Emerson’s presentation.
Sept. 16 – “Union Army Census of the Colored Population of York County, March 1865.” Local historian and retired York County educator Russell Hopson will follow some of the contraband families as they began new chapters in their lives after the Civil War. Mr. Hopson is a long-time supporter of and speaker at numerous York County Black History Celebrations.
Oct. 21 – “Medical Problems on the Peninsula.” Author, historian and historical interpreter T. A. “Doc” Wheat will talk about the Confederate troops who initially defended Yorktown and the “deadly enemy” they encountered.
Nov. 4 - A Prelude to “Kiss My Little Girls – 1861.” Jeff Toalson, historian and author of three Civil War-era books, will provide some special insight into his research and how he came to know the intriguing story of Richard and Mary Watkins. Richard Watkins, Prince Edward County lawyer and former Confederate cavalry captain (portrayed by Mr. Toalson), will join us for a visit on the front porch and recall stories of the conflict.
Dec. 16 – “The Civil War - A Woman’s Cause.” Local historian and historical interpreter Sharleen Leigh West-Carr will provide insights into the role of women during the war. Ms. West-Carr is currently the chairman of the North-South Skirmish Association Costume Committee and makes Civil War period clothing.

For more information about this Civil War lecture series, or information on how to volunteer with the Historical Committee or the Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, please call 757-890-3508 or visit www.yorkcountyhistoricalcommittee.org.