Civil War Symposium

Civil War historians and enthusiasts, please join us on Saturday, May 7 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM for a day of Civil War music, presentations, and discussions.

This event will be hosted by Bossard Library along with the Cadot-Blessing Camp #126 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and The Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation.

This event is free and open to the public. Walk-ins are welcome with the understanding that seating priority will be given to those who have previously registered.

Bossard Library asks that attendees park in the gravel lot directly across the street from the library's entrance.

The morning will start with musician Steve Ball accompanied by his wife Lisa. Steve specializes in Civil War music and has performed at the American Civil War Museum of Ohio, the National Civil War Museum, the Ohio Statehouse, and at re-enactments, living history programs, historical and genealogical societies, museums, and many other venues.

Following Steve and Lisa's program, five speakers/authors will present programs on the Civil War with an emphasis on Ohio's role in the conflict.

Our first speaker is Anthony Gibbs with the presentation, "Freedom, Citizenship, and Equality: The Story of the U.S.C.T."  The United States Colored Troops have rarely been given the credit they deserve for their participation in the war. These troops were the first freedom fighters who fought for emancipation and full citizenship rights. Mr. Gibbs will discuss these brave men and what made them different than all the troops that fought in the war.

Mr. Gibbs has presented history programs and living history characterizations at venues throughout Ohio for over 12 years.  He is the founder and creative director of Black Historic Impressions, an organization dedicated to the remembrance appreciation, and exhibition of African American contributions to history.

Our second speaker is David Mowery with the presentation, "The Civil War in Cincinnati". This presentation is based on Mowery's book Cincinnati in the Civil War: The Union's Queen City. Mowery will discuss the crucial role Cincinnati played in the war. The city was a focal point for curbing Southern incursions into Union territory, a manufacturing center that produced U.S. Navy gunboats for the war effort, and Cincinnati's residents enlisted in more than 590 Federal regiments and artillery units during the war.

Mr. Mowery is a native of Cincinnati and the author of a number of books on the Civil War. He oversaw the final design and historical validation of the entire length of the John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail of Ohio. Mr. Mowery has presented various papers at the Cincinnati Civil War Round Table and has led many Civil War tours of the Cincinnati region. He is a board member of the Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation.

Our third speaker is author Kelly Mezurek with the presentation, "Ohio Women and the Civil War Home Front". Ms. Mezurek will speak about the vital contribution made by Ohio women towards a Union victory. She will explore their wartime activities on the home front, with an emphasis on the Soldiers Aid Societies and the Sanitary Fairs in Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Ms. Mezurek is a professor of history at Walsh University, where she teaches United States history. She is the author For Their Own Cause: The 27th United States Colored Troops along with articles in various Civil War publications. Ms. Mezurek is a member of the Ohio Humanities Speakers Bureau, was a previous executive board member of the Ohio Academy of History, and served on the Ohio Civil War 150 Advisory Committee.

Our fourth speaker is Darryl Smith with the presentation, "Rise of a Rebel Raider: John H. Morgan's First Kentucky Raid". Smith will discuss this first Kentucky Raid and how it sowed the seeds for Morgan's raids of 1863 and secured Morgan's reputation as a rebel raider, the quintessential Southern cavalryman, and the "Thunderbolt of the Confederacy".

Mr. Smith is the owner and operator of Walking With History, LLC which offers walking tours of historic sites across the Midwest with a focus on the Civil War. A Civil War and American military history enthusiast, Mr. Smith is a member of the Cincinnati Civil War Round Table, a board member of the Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation and has written articles for the American Battlefield Trust.

Our fifth speaker is Mark Holbook with the presentation, "Ohio in the Civil War". Mr. Holbrook will discuss how Ohio and Ohioans helped to change the outcome of the war -- and how the war changed Ohio and its people. 

Mr. Holbrook has been a consultant for tourism and history-based organizations for 12 years and served as the marketing manager at the Ohio History Connection for nine years. An avid student of history, Mr. Holbrook is the editor of The Buckeye Vanguard about the 49th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He has retired from a 20-year career as a Civil War reenactor. Mr. Holbrook is a member of the Ohio Humanities Speakers Bureau and served on the Civil War Sesquicentennial Advisory Committee for the state of Ohio.

Light refreshments will be provided by Bossard Library at registration. Lunch will be on your own with a listing of local restaurants provided for your convenience. After lunch drinks and snacks will be provided by Bossard Library.

Presenters' and sponsors' books/CDs and other items for purchase will be available on a cash basis only.

The Cadot-Blessing Camp #126 SUVCW, based in Gallipolis is the local camp of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. They are dedicated to preserving the memory of the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) via educational, patriotic, and memorial events.

The Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the Buffington Island battlefield in Portland, Ohio. The Foundation also works to educate the public about Morgan's Great Raid and Ohio's largest Civil War battlefield.

Ohio Humanities is a nonprofit organization that shares stories to spark conversations and inspire ideas. They host programs and award grants that support storytellers statewide, from museums to journalists to documentary filmmakers.