News

Art Lecture by Dr. Joan Stack

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

noon-1pm

Schmucker 302, Gettysburg College

Please join us for "The Fashioning of a Frontier Artist: The Entrepreneurial Career of George Caleb Bingham" by Joan Stack, Curator of Art Collections, The State Historical Society of Missouri.

This lecture will focus on renowned American artist, George Caleb, his public image and the importance of New York's American Art Union and other print publishers in the advancement of his career. Dr. Stack will address the general art historical understanding of Bingham and his place in nineteenth-century American art.

Pizza lunch will be served.

Sponsored by the Department of Art and Art History, Civil War Era Studies and the President's Office, Gettysburg College. For more information, contact Felicia Else, felse@gettysburg.edu

Art Lecture by Dr. Joan Stack

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

5:30-6:30pm

Lyceum, Penn Hall, Gettysburg College

"Picturing a State Divided: Missouri Artist George Caleb Bingham and the American Civil War:"

Dr. Joan Stark, Curator of Art Collections at The State Historical Society of Missouri

George Caleb Bingham's monumental painting "General Order No. 11 (now housed at The State Historical Society of Missouri) is arguably one of the most important American history paintings to record a scene from the Civil War. A rare "artist/politician," Bingham publicly engaged in debates on slavery and secession from the 1840s to the 1870s. His words and images from this period provide insight into the complexities of these issues in Missouri. Bingham was personally acquainted with many of the major players in the state's divided government, and this presentation examines the dramatic story of the war as Bingham lived it. From the political divisions that led Missouri to have two rival war-time governors, to the chaotic and dangerous guerilla fighting that terrorized the state, Bingham was a witness and participant in the struggle.

Reception following.

Sponsored by the Department of Art and Art History, Civil War Era Studies and the President's Office, Gettysburg College. For more information, contact Felicia Else, felse@gettysburg.edu.

This lecture is one of many events celebrating the 150th Commemoration of the Civil War. See http://www.gettysburg.edu/about/offices/president/2013/ for more details.

2012 Pohanka Fellows Named

Gettysburg College and the Civil War Institute are pleased to announce the selection of the 2012 Fellows of the Brian C. Pohanka Fellows Program. This program is made possible thanks to the generosity of the John J. Pohanka Family Foundation. The program benefits Gettysburg College students who are enrolled in summer internship programs at historic sites with the National Park Service. Eligible students, if selected, will receive a stipend for assistance with their cost of living expenses during their internship.

The following selected students will be working at various sites with the National Park Service this summer. Natalie Sherif '14 and Kristen Trout '15 will be interning at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Paul Rule '13, Emma Murphy '15, Gabby Hornbeck '13 and Becky Oakes '13 will be working at Fredericksburg National Military Park. Erin Richard '13 and Morgan Rouscher '13 will be at Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park. Michele Seabrook will intern at Manassas National Battlefield Park. Val Merlina '14 will be at Gettysburg National Military Park. Finally Mary Roll '12 and Brian Johnson '14 will be working at Stratford Hall.

Students to Volunteer in Park

On March 24th the Civil War Institute Fellows, as well as members from other student groups on campus will be participating in a service project at the Gettysburg National Military Park. Students will spend an afternoon helping the park with clean-up and various other maintenance tasks as prescribed by park staff.

Still a Few Part-Time Openings for the 2012 CWI Summer Conference!

Registration is now open for the 30th annual Civil War Institute, to be held from June 22 - 26, 2012. In line with the ongoing Civil War Sesquicentennial, the theme of next year's conference will be "The War in 1862." Featured experts will include Brooks Simpson, Peter Carmichael, Allen Guelzo, Susannah Ural, Caroline Janney, and many more. Participants will have the option of touring battlefields at Fredericksburg, Second Manassas, Antietam, and half-day tours of Gettysburg.

Click here for more information about the 2012 CWI summer conference.

2011 Shaara Prize Winner Announced

Robin Oliveira will be awarded the thirteenth annual Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction for her novel My Name is Mary Sutter. Oliveira will receive the award prior to the Fortenbaugh Lecture, held on November 19th, 7:30 PM, at Gettysburg's Majestic Theater. In 1997, Jeff Shaara, the critically acclaimed best-selling author established The Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction. This award is named in honor of his father, the author of the novel The Killer Angels. In 2005, the Prize moved to the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College. A $5,000 prize is awarded annually on the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address to "encourage fresh approaches to Civil War fiction."

Distinguished Writer's Award

The Florida State University Alumni Association, in conjunction with FSU's Strozier Library has announced the creation of a "Distinguished Writer's Award", which will be bestowed annually, beginning this year. The award is to offer recognition for extraordinary achievement in the area of creative writing, through either fiction or non-fiction, which reflects on the goals of excellence that Florida State University hopes to instill into any student who pursues a higher education. The first recipient of this prestigious award is Jeff Shaara, graduate of the FSU Class of 1974, in recognition of his body of work, specifically historical fiction, which includes ten bestselling novels, and which has elevated him in the eyes of millions of readers to a level equal to those authors whose accomplishments and talents have placed them at the highest level of their profession. This award is to be bestowed on Mr. Shaara at the Florida State University Homecoming Awards Banquet, Saturday, November 19, 2011.

Historic careers: Students intern at Civil War sites

Oakes Eight Gettysburg College students worked on the front lines of American history this summer, completing internships at four National Park Service Civil War sites.

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