Upcoming Events
'Pray for Oblivion to His Memory': Frederick Douglass on the Legacy of Robert E. Lee
Saturday, January 18, 2020 - 1:30 p.m.
Gettysburg National Military Park Winter Lecture Series
Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center
1195 Baltimore Pike - Gettysburg, PA
Gettysburg National Military Park Winter Lecture Series
Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center
1195 Baltimore Pike - Gettysburg, PA
When Robert E. Lee died in 1870, the former Confederate commander instantly rose to the status of an American deity, and in the 150 years since his death he has remained one of history’s most celebrated soldiers. Despite such laudations, however, many of Lee’s contemporaries felt his renowned status was undeserved—most notably, the formerly enslaved social activist, newsman, and army recruiter Frederick Douglass. Starting mere days after Lee’s demise, Douglass penned a series of articles that reflected negatively on the fallen Rebel general’s legacy and attempted to reconsider his proper place in studies of the past. Douglass’s criticisms of Lee’s morality and prowess provide valuable insight to an alternative view of an icon, and serve as a reminder that modern debates over collective memory of the Civil War and its principal players are embedded in unfinished conversations among the wartime generation itself.
This event is part of the annual Gettysburg National Military Park Winter Lecture Series, which occurs every Saturday and Sunday from January 11 to March 22, 2020. These presentations are free and open to the public. Click here for a full schedule.
This event is part of the annual Gettysburg National Military Park Winter Lecture Series, which occurs every Saturday and Sunday from January 11 to March 22, 2020. These presentations are free and open to the public. Click here for a full schedule.
'It Is All My Fault': Robert E. Lee's Gettysburg Legacy
Tuesday, April 21, 2020 - 7:30 p.m.
Historic Gettysburg-Adams County Educational Speaker Series
Daniel Skelly Post Grand Army of the Republic Hall
53 East Middle Street - Gettysburg, PA
Historic Gettysburg-Adams County Educational Speaker Series
Daniel Skelly Post Grand Army of the Republic Hall
53 East Middle Street - Gettysburg, PA
Although he was only at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for the better part of four days in July 1863, Robert E. Lee's presence in Adams County has lingered in United States military history and memory. Gettysburg was the site of perhaps Lee's most costly defeat, and yet few soldiers have ever been so celebrated at a particular site as the Confederacy's most influential general. This lecture will provide an analysis of the monuments, speeches, soldiers' recollections, art, film, and public interpretation that have influenced our collective thinking on the stories and controversies surrounding Lee's legacy at America's most famous battlefield.
This event is part of the Education Speaker Series, which occurs the third Tuesday evening of March, April, May, June, August, September, and October. These presentations are free and open to the public. Click here for a full schedule.
This event is part of the Education Speaker Series, which occurs the third Tuesday evening of March, April, May, June, August, September, and October. These presentations are free and open to the public. Click here for a full schedule.
'Pray for Oblivion to His Memory': Frederick Douglass on the Legacy of Robert E. Lee
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 - Time to be announced
The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable
Location to be announced
Cleveland, OH
The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable
Location to be announced
Cleveland, OH
When Robert E. Lee died in 1870, the former Confederate commander instantly rose to the status of an American deity, and in the 150 years since his death he has remained one of history’s most celebrated soldiers. Despite such laudations, however, many of Lee’s contemporaries felt his renowned status was undeserved—most notably, the formerly enslaved social activist, newsman, and army recruiter Frederick Douglass. Starting mere days after Lee’s demise, Douglass penned a series of articles that reflected negatively on the fallen Rebel general’s legacy and attempted to reconsider his proper place in studies of the past. Douglass’s criticisms of Lee’s morality and prowess provide valuable insight to an alternative view of an icon, and serve as a reminder that modern debates over collective memory of the Civil War and its principal players are embedded in unfinished conversations among the wartime generation itself.
This event is part of the 2020-2021 Cleveland Civil War Roundtable Program Schedule.
More information will be available soon.
This event is part of the 2020-2021 Cleveland Civil War Roundtable Program Schedule.
More information will be available soon.
Past Events
Protest after Pickett's Charge: 'Stonewall' Hays and the Birth of Anti-Confederate Sentiment at Gettysburg
(Click here for audio of the entire presentation, via Battles and Banter podcast)
Gettysburg Foundation History Symposium (Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center)
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
October 5, 2019
'The Old Keystone State Speaks Today': Gettysburg's Pennsylvania Veterans Reunion of 1889
(Click here for audio of the entire presentation, via Battles and Banter podcast)
Historic Gettysburg-Adams County (Daniel Skelly Post Grand Army of the Republic Hall)
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
August 20, 2019
'That Marvelous, Undying Utterance': Abolitionists' Reflections on the Gettysburg Address
(Click here for video of the entire presentation, which was part of "The Tattooed Historian Presents" lecture series)
Garryowen Irish Pub (GO Too)
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
November 29, 2018
'No Room for Rebels': The Story of Gettysburg's First Confederate Monument
(Click here for video of the first several minutes of this lecture; technical issues prevented filming the entire thing)
Ye Olde Sulphur Spa Historical Society
York Springs, Pennsylvania
September 18, 2018
Written in Ink and Marked with Blood: Frederick Douglass's Gettysburg Address
Historic Gettysburg-Adams County (Daniel Skelly Post Grand Army of the Republic Hall)
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
February 20, 2018
'The Most Magnificent Battle-Field in the World': Gettysburg Visitation in the Postwar Era
Brandy Station Foundation (Graffiti House)
Brandy Station, Virginia
May 28, 2017
'A Sentinel on the Outpost': The Cupola of the Lutheran Seminary at the Battle of Gettysburg
Wyoming Valley Civil War Roundtable (American Legion Post 672)
Dallas, Pennsylvania
May 11, 2017
'The Most Magnificent Battle-Field in the World': Gettysburg Visitation in the Postwar Era
Adams County Historical Society (United Lutheran Seminary - Valentine Hall)
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
October 4, 2016
Hearts Touched with Fire: Lincoln, Gettysburg, and Children of the Civil War in Pennsylvania
Lincolnway Elementary School
York, Pennsylvania
April 22, 2016
'This Last Solemn Act': Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Reflections
Cross Keys Village - The Brethren Home Community
New Oxford, Pennsylvania
November 7, 2015
'What They Did Here': The Words and Deeds of Gettysburg
Ye Olde Sulphur Spa Historical Society
York Springs, Pennsylvania
November 1, 2015
'This Terrible War': The Religious Faith of Abraham Lincoln
Trinity Roth's United Church of Christ
Spring Grove, Pennsylvania
June 21, 2015
'All Men Are Created Equal': The American Experiment from Philadelphia to Gettysburg
Lincolnway Elementary School
York, Pennsylvania
April 16, 2015
Great Through Simplicity, Noble Through Charity: The Final Five Months of Abraham Lincoln
Ye Olde Sulphur Spa Historical Society
York Springs, Pennsylvania
February 16, 2015
'The Nation Shall Live and Slavery Shall Die': The Presidential Election of 1864
Carroll Community College
Westminster, Maryland
November 11, 2014
(Click here for audio of the entire presentation, via Battles and Banter podcast)
Gettysburg Foundation History Symposium (Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center)
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
October 5, 2019
'The Old Keystone State Speaks Today': Gettysburg's Pennsylvania Veterans Reunion of 1889
(Click here for audio of the entire presentation, via Battles and Banter podcast)
Historic Gettysburg-Adams County (Daniel Skelly Post Grand Army of the Republic Hall)
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
August 20, 2019
'That Marvelous, Undying Utterance': Abolitionists' Reflections on the Gettysburg Address
(Click here for video of the entire presentation, which was part of "The Tattooed Historian Presents" lecture series)
Garryowen Irish Pub (GO Too)
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
November 29, 2018
'No Room for Rebels': The Story of Gettysburg's First Confederate Monument
(Click here for video of the first several minutes of this lecture; technical issues prevented filming the entire thing)
Ye Olde Sulphur Spa Historical Society
York Springs, Pennsylvania
September 18, 2018
Written in Ink and Marked with Blood: Frederick Douglass's Gettysburg Address
Historic Gettysburg-Adams County (Daniel Skelly Post Grand Army of the Republic Hall)
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
February 20, 2018
'The Most Magnificent Battle-Field in the World': Gettysburg Visitation in the Postwar Era
Brandy Station Foundation (Graffiti House)
Brandy Station, Virginia
May 28, 2017
'A Sentinel on the Outpost': The Cupola of the Lutheran Seminary at the Battle of Gettysburg
Wyoming Valley Civil War Roundtable (American Legion Post 672)
Dallas, Pennsylvania
May 11, 2017
'The Most Magnificent Battle-Field in the World': Gettysburg Visitation in the Postwar Era
Adams County Historical Society (United Lutheran Seminary - Valentine Hall)
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
October 4, 2016
Hearts Touched with Fire: Lincoln, Gettysburg, and Children of the Civil War in Pennsylvania
Lincolnway Elementary School
York, Pennsylvania
April 22, 2016
'This Last Solemn Act': Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Reflections
Cross Keys Village - The Brethren Home Community
New Oxford, Pennsylvania
November 7, 2015
'What They Did Here': The Words and Deeds of Gettysburg
Ye Olde Sulphur Spa Historical Society
York Springs, Pennsylvania
November 1, 2015
'This Terrible War': The Religious Faith of Abraham Lincoln
Trinity Roth's United Church of Christ
Spring Grove, Pennsylvania
June 21, 2015
'All Men Are Created Equal': The American Experiment from Philadelphia to Gettysburg
Lincolnway Elementary School
York, Pennsylvania
April 16, 2015
Great Through Simplicity, Noble Through Charity: The Final Five Months of Abraham Lincoln
Ye Olde Sulphur Spa Historical Society
York Springs, Pennsylvania
February 16, 2015
'The Nation Shall Live and Slavery Shall Die': The Presidential Election of 1864
Carroll Community College
Westminster, Maryland
November 11, 2014
