Happy Holidays from all of us at the Civil War Institute

November 19, 2008

Ken Burns' Dedication Day Speech	Catherine Clinton delivers Fortenbaugh Lecture	Jeff Shaara presents The Michael ShaaraPrize to Donald McCaig

Photos compliments of Bill Dowling

November 20, 2008

First National Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Town Hall  Meeting

Photo compliments of Bill Dowling

On November 20, 2008 the National Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission  presented their first of ten Town Hall Meetings.  The theme was on "Lincoln's Legacy: Equality, Opportunity, and Race."  Jesse Jackson Jr., Jack Kemp, Allen Guelzo, Susan Eisenhower, and Norman Bristol-Colón were the panelists at this town hall meeting.  The moderator was Charles R. Branham, Senior Historian, DuSable Museum of African American History, Chicago.  It began at 7:00 pm. at the College Union Ballroom, Gettysburg College to a group of over 325 enthusiastic attendees.  This event was hosted by the Civil War Institute and the Pennsylvania Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission at Gettysburg College. Read the Gettysburg Times article.

February Events

February 11, 2009
"Lincoln Day in Harrisburg: For the People" 
A day-long series of events celebrating the importance of Abraham Lincoln's visits to the state of Pennsylvania.
A tentative schedule of events includes art exhibits, civil war encampment, and civil war music.
State Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA.  

February 12, 2009
"An Abraham Lincoln Bi-Centennial Celebration."
The American Spiritual Ensemble is comprised of 26 members who are some of the finest classically trained singers in America.  Founded and conducted by Dr. Everett McCorvey of the University of Kentucky, the American Spiritual Ensemble has presented concerts throughout the United States, Europe and South America.  The performance at the Majestic Theater will recreate the ensemble's tribute to Abraham Lincoln broadcast nationally on CNN of February 12, 2007.  Tickets for this event will go on sale 6/5/08 with our new season release. Visit the Majestic Theatre website. February 12, 2009   Time: 2 PM

February 12-16, 2009
Grand Opening of the David Wills House.
This world-class museum with Abraham Lincoln-related content and the Gettysburg Address is a new venue of Gettysburg National Military Park. President Abraham Lincoln spent the night at the David Wills House before delivering the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. This facility will contain museum exhibits related to the aftermath of battle in the town of Gettysburg and Lincoln's stay. Operated by the non-profit Main Street Gettysburg, in partnership with Gettysburg National Military Park.  For more information contact Main Street Gettysburg. Gettysburg, PA.  Print a detailed schedule of events.  

These events are endorsed by the PA ALBC

News

Gabor Boritt wins 2008 National Humanities Medal

12/05/2008

Gettysburg College history professor and Civil War scholar Gabor S. Boritt received the National Humanities Medal for 2008 from President George W. Bush.

At a Nov. 17 White House ceremony, Boritt was honored "for a distinguished career of scholarship on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War era. His life's work and his life's story stand as testaments to our Nation's precious legacy of liberty."
A profile on the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) website describes Boritt as a "tireless advocate for the study of Lincoln and the Civil War" who "brings a passion for the subject that began during his early years as a Hungarian immigrant to the United States."

The profile also notes Boritt's achievements at Gettysburg College, where he is director and founder of the Civil War Institute and the Robert Fluhrer Professor of Civil War Studies, and his extensive scholarship, including his book, The Gettysburg Gospel, which was featured on the cover of U.S. News & World Report.

Along with Boritt, other recipients of the medal for 2008 were: Richard Brookhiser, biographer and historian; Harold Holzer, scholar and Civil War historian; Myron Magnet, journalist and author; Albert Marrin, children's book author; Milton J. Rosenberg, radio show host and scholar; Thomas A. Saunders III and Jordan Horner Saunders, philanthropists; Robert H. Smith, philanthropist; John Templeton Foundation; and Norman Rockwell Museum. Prior to the ceremony, the medalists and their families and friends attended a reception in their honor.

"The National Humanities Medal, first awarded in 1989 as the Charles Frankel Prize, honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation's understanding of the humanities, broadened our citizens' engagement with the humanities, or helped preserve and expand Americans' access to important resources in the humanities," said an NEH news release.

"The Humanities Medal is the most prestigious award in the humanities. Over the last decade, including this year's recipients, the National Humanities Medal has been awarded to only 107 individuals and 9 organizations," the release said. "Medal recipients do not compete for this award but are specially selected by the President for their life-long achievements in their diverse areas of expertise."

Gary Kersey Honored

Gary Kersey has been asked to speak at the State House in Columbus Ohio on Feb. 12th, 2009.  Gary has been the auctioneer for the Civil War Institute and a Lincoln enthusiast for many years.  He feels very honored to have been chosen to speak on the 200th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. 

Lincoln Events on C-Span

The National Abraham Lincoln Bicentenial Commission has partnered with C-SPAN to celebrate Lincoln's 200th Birthday. Here's what's happening this month:

Sunday, December 14
C-SPAN - Book TV
12:00 - 1:30 pm ET
Lincoln Scholar Michael Burlingame will be LIVE taking calls and discussing his new 1800 page 2-volume biography of Abraham Lincoln, "Abraham Lincoln: A Life."
Mr. Burlingame's book has been highly anticipated among Lincoln scholars. It has yet to be published and remains on standing back-order.
Publisher Weekly selected it as one of their Books of the Year. The book is to be released the week following his appearance on Book TV. This is Mr. Burlingame's first media appearance discussing the book.

December 14-20
C-SPAN
9:00 pm ET
White House Week 
Documentary Series

A 90-minute documentary kicks off White House Week. Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer will discuss the Lincoln assassination. Other historians featured include Doris Kearns Goodwin, Richard Norton Smith, Anthony Pitch and many more!

Thursday - 12/18 @ 9:00 pm - The Lincoln White House featuring Harold Holzer in the Lincoln Bedroom. A special on the Lincoln Cottage follows.

For a complete schedule and to see interview clips from the week's programs, visit: http://whitehouse.c-span.org/