April 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. From 1861 to 1865 the nation was gripped by a war that would cost more than 600,000 men their lives and threaten to permanently divide a young nation. A century and a half later, the Civil War still captures the interests and imaginations of the scholar, historian and layperson alike. Today, we remember the stories of the men and women who lived and served during a time when the future of the nation was so uncertain.
Free Program! The Civil War through the Window of American Art Monday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m.
Cavalry Soldier Loading a Rifle by Winslow Homer Join us as BPL commemorates the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War with a presentation by author, art historian and award-winning journalist Jesse Bryant Wilder. This multimedia presentation will tell the story of the Civil War and subsequent Reconstruction years through the lens of American art from both the North and the South. The iconic works of artists such as Winslow Homer and Thomas Nast captured the mood, attitudes and emotions of the era and documented this pivotal time in American history. Through the use of cinematic effects, this presentation will depict major events in the Civil War and the years that followed as the audience explores the influence of paintings, engravings, cartoons and photographs of the day. Images will be accompanied by poignant period songs and excerpts from first-hand accounts of life during the Civil War, offering a glimpse into an era that defined our nation. For questions regarding this program, please contact Rebecca Larson-Troyer.
Images courtesy Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division Ohio Civil War 150 logo courtesy Ohio Historical Society