Dauphin County announces events to commemorate Civil War
Robert E. Lee wasn't aiming for Gettysburg.
In the summer of 1863, the Confederate general wanted his Army of Northern Virginia to capture Harrisburg, a major railroad hub and the site of Camp Curtin, where more than 300,000 Union soldiers trained during the war.
Lee, of course never made it.
Kent Courtney, an Americana singer and Civil War historian, sings period songs Monday before Dauphin County announced a series of events to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the war.
But Dauphin County wants to remind people -- especially tourists already in the midstate to visit Gettysburg -- of Harrisburg's strategic importance as the country celebrates the 150th anniversary of the war.
"Once you get out in the real world and learn all the history that hasn't been told, it's hard not to get excited," Commissioner Jeff Haste said Monday while announcing a series of events over the next two years.
"Let's be honest," Haste added, "part of this is about tourism. We know Gettysburg is going to get about 4 million visitors, and shame on us if we didn't try to get some of those folks to come here."
Indeed, the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau expects Civil War buffs to book an extra 800 to 1,200 room nights in Dauphin County hotels this summer, a 10 to 15 percent bump in occupancy rate. The bureau has already set up a shuttle service with a limousine company to ferry guests from area hotels to Gettysburg during the June 28-July 7 celebration of the war's defining battle.
Some of the planned events include:
At the National Civil War Museum
-- 1863: An exhibit running through the end of the year commemorating he events of 150 years ago. Beginning in May, the museum will also have an exhibit on the draft, desertion and draft resistance.
-- Civil War Dance classes, 2 p.m., March 3.
-- Commemoration of the Medal of Honor: The first Medal of Honor was presented on March 25, 1863. At 2 p.m., March 24, Dr. Richard Bantz will lecture about Andrew's Raisers and the Great Locomotive Chase while the Medals of Honor of six servicemen from three wars will be on display.
-- Lecture on the Trans-Mississippi Theater by historian Jeffrey S. Prushankin, 1 p.m., April 6.
-- Lecture on "Jeb Stuart's Ride around Gettysburg" by historian Jeffrey Wert, 1 p.m., April 13.
-- Lecture on Pennsylvania's Civil War trails, 1 p.m., April 20.
-- Lecture on Lancaster-native Major General John Fulton Reynolds actions in 1863, by historian Michael A. Riley, 1 p.m., April 27.
-- Pennsylvania Firefighters during the Civil War, exhibit opens in June. Admission, adults $6, seniors and students $5.
-- "Lincoln on the Lawn," a showing the 2012 film, for which Daniel-Day Lewis received an Oscar for his portrayal of the 16th president, 8:30 p.m., June 30.
Elsewhere in the county:
-- "A Page Out of Godey's Lady's Book: An Exhibit of Civil War Era Dresses": View six Civil War era dresses, on display at the Fort Hunter Mansion, May 1-Dec. 22.
-- Music of the Civil War: Vocalists from Susquehanna Chorale will sing Civil War era songs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 29 at Broad Street Market. Admission: Adults $5, Seniors $4, students and children, $3.
-- "Rollick on the River": The County's Parks and Recreation Department will feature live music, historical actors, a free ice cream social, interactive children's activities and fireworks to celebrate the 150th anniversary at 6:30 p.m., June 29 at Fort Hunter Mansion.
-- "Tea with Clara Barton": Actress Pat Jordan will portray Barton, and discuss Barton's work to organize medical care for wounded Union soldiers, 2:30 June 30th, The John Harris and Simon Cameron Mansion. Admission, $15.
-- Bethel Village Trail and Commemoration of African American Patriots of the Civil War: The trail, which follows the landmark sites of the Bethel AME congregation and community's movement through Harrisburg, will be formally dedicated 3:30 p.m. Jun 30 at Solider's Grove on the Capital Complex. Pamphlets for a self-guided tour of the trail will be available from Memorial Day to Veteran's Day.
-- "Marching Toward Harrisburg: Stories of the Civil War" : Storyteller Steve Anderson will reveal Harrisburg's Civil War history, noon, July 2, at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts.
-- Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra: Aaron Copland's Lincoln Portrait, 7:30 p.m., July 3, Metro Bank Park, with fireworks to follow.
-- "The Civil War: 150 Years after Gettysburg": The discussion will includes Lincoln's prewar visit to Harrisburg in February 1861, the opening of Camp Curtin and Lincoln's funeral procession stopping in the city April 21 and 22, 1865; 6:30 p.m., Sept. 17, Historic Harrisburg Resource Center.
In the summer of 1863, the Confederate general wanted his Army of Northern Virginia to capture Harrisburg, a major railroad hub and the site of Camp Curtin, where more than 300,000 Union soldiers trained during the war.
Lee, of course never made it.
Kent Courtney, an Americana singer and Civil War historian, sings period songs Monday before Dauphin County announced a series of events to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the war. "Once you get out in the real world and learn all the history that hasn't been told, it's hard not to get excited," Commissioner Jeff Haste said Monday while announcing a series of events over the next two years.
"Let's be honest," Haste added, "part of this is about tourism. We know Gettysburg is going to get about 4 million visitors, and shame on us if we didn't try to get some of those folks to come here."
Indeed, the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau expects Civil War buffs to book an extra 800 to 1,200 room nights in Dauphin County hotels this summer, a 10 to 15 percent bump in occupancy rate. The bureau has already set up a shuttle service with a limousine company to ferry guests from area hotels to Gettysburg during the June 28-July 7 celebration of the war's defining battle.
Some of the planned events include:
At the National Civil War Museum
-- 1863: An exhibit running through the end of the year commemorating he events of 150 years ago. Beginning in May, the museum will also have an exhibit on the draft, desertion and draft resistance.
-- Civil War Dance classes, 2 p.m., March 3.
-- Commemoration of the Medal of Honor: The first Medal of Honor was presented on March 25, 1863. At 2 p.m., March 24, Dr. Richard Bantz will lecture about Andrew's Raisers and the Great Locomotive Chase while the Medals of Honor of six servicemen from three wars will be on display.
-- Lecture on the Trans-Mississippi Theater by historian Jeffrey S. Prushankin, 1 p.m., April 6.
-- Lecture on "Jeb Stuart's Ride around Gettysburg" by historian Jeffrey Wert, 1 p.m., April 13.
-- Lecture on Pennsylvania's Civil War trails, 1 p.m., April 20.
-- Lecture on Lancaster-native Major General John Fulton Reynolds actions in 1863, by historian Michael A. Riley, 1 p.m., April 27.
-- Pennsylvania Firefighters during the Civil War, exhibit opens in June. Admission, adults $6, seniors and students $5.
-- "Lincoln on the Lawn," a showing the 2012 film, for which Daniel-Day Lewis received an Oscar for his portrayal of the 16th president, 8:30 p.m., June 30.
Elsewhere in the county:
-- "A Page Out of Godey's Lady's Book: An Exhibit of Civil War Era Dresses": View six Civil War era dresses, on display at the Fort Hunter Mansion, May 1-Dec. 22.
-- Music of the Civil War: Vocalists from Susquehanna Chorale will sing Civil War era songs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 29 at Broad Street Market. Admission: Adults $5, Seniors $4, students and children, $3.
-- "Rollick on the River": The County's Parks and Recreation Department will feature live music, historical actors, a free ice cream social, interactive children's activities and fireworks to celebrate the 150th anniversary at 6:30 p.m., June 29 at Fort Hunter Mansion.
-- "Tea with Clara Barton": Actress Pat Jordan will portray Barton, and discuss Barton's work to organize medical care for wounded Union soldiers, 2:30 June 30th, The John Harris and Simon Cameron Mansion. Admission, $15.
-- Bethel Village Trail and Commemoration of African American Patriots of the Civil War: The trail, which follows the landmark sites of the Bethel AME congregation and community's movement through Harrisburg, will be formally dedicated 3:30 p.m. Jun 30 at Solider's Grove on the Capital Complex. Pamphlets for a self-guided tour of the trail will be available from Memorial Day to Veteran's Day.
-- "Marching Toward Harrisburg: Stories of the Civil War" : Storyteller Steve Anderson will reveal Harrisburg's Civil War history, noon, July 2, at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts.
-- Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra: Aaron Copland's Lincoln Portrait, 7:30 p.m., July 3, Metro Bank Park, with fireworks to follow.
-- "The Civil War: 150 Years after Gettysburg": The discussion will includes Lincoln's prewar visit to Harrisburg in February 1861, the opening of Camp Curtin and Lincoln's funeral procession stopping in the city April 21 and 22, 1865; 6:30 p.m., Sept. 17, Historic Harrisburg Resource Center.
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