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April 2022
McCauley Lecture: A Black Family at the Battle of South Mountain
Very few firsthand accounts survive of African American experiences during the Civil War in western Maryland. One of them comes from the family of Rev. Daniel Ridout, an A.M.E. preacher for Frederick and Washington Counties. Living in Hancock at the beginning of the war, and then outside Burkittsville, this black family had many adventures before the Battle of South Mountain, which happened literally on their doorstep. This talk will focus on how the Ridouts--mother, father, and children--experienced the years 1859…
Find out more »Evolving Perspectives on Slavery, Emancipation, and Antietam
Antietam – 160th: Evolution of the Scholarship: Changing Perceptions and Park History The Antietam Institute is pleased to announce its first annual Spring Symposium, slated for April 23, 2022. Marking the 160th anniversary of the 1862 Maryland Campaign, the symposium will focus on the evolving scholarship, interpretation and understanding of the campaign over the last 160 years. The Symposium will welcome these five dynamic speakers: Steven Stotelmyer, Dr. Emilie Amt, Keith Snyder, Scott Hartwig, and Dr. Tom Clemens. Steve will…
Find out more »May 2022
Meeting Unusual Challenges: Friends of Halfway African American Cemetery
In a joint presentation, Elizabeth Paul and I will discuss the challenges faced in saving and preserving Halfway African American Cemetery, with a focus on the contributions of many community partners, including volunteers, civic groups, local businesses, archaeologists, genealogists, and descendants. The conference is an online, fully remote event, and free, although donations are very welcome. Registration is required. Our 30-minute presentation is scheduled to start soon after 10:00 a.m. (after a brief business meeting).
Find out more »June 2022
Book Signing & Cemetery Fundraiser–RESCHEDULED
***This event has been rescheduled to June 18*** I'll be at Halfway African American Cemetery on Saturday morning, June 18, to sell and sign my new book, Black Antietam: African Americans and the Civil War in Sharpsburg. This is a fundraiser: $4 from every book sold will go to the Friends of Halfway Cemetery, to help clean up and preserve this historic site. (For book purchases, I'll take cash, check, Venmo, or Paypal. The book price is $21.99.) Drop by…
Find out more »Juneteenth at Rockland: Book Signing
The African American Historical Association of Western Maryland will be holding an all-day Juneteenth celebration at historic Rockland, original home of the abolitionist James W.C. Pennington, with music, storytelling, history, arts and crafts, vendors, and food. I'll be selling and signing my book, Black Antietam: African Americans and the Civil War in Sharpsburg. Click here for more details about the event at Rockland. This is a fundraising event for AAHAWM. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for…
Find out more »July 2022
Black Antietam Online Book Event
In a live online conversation, I'll be talking about my new book Black Antietam: African Americans and the Civil War in Sharpsburg, with my colleague and friend Dr. Terry Scott, former Hood professor and now director of the Institute for Common Power, and AJ Musewe of Common Power. We'll also take audience questions. Join us for a lively and informal discussion about the often neglected topic of black participation in the Civil War and what it means for us today.…
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