News Briefs

Briefs of Civil War News Interest — October 2016

Originally published October 2016 · p. 7

Historical Society Awards Volunteers At Annual Dinner NEW BERN, NC.—The New Bern Historical Society honored many of their volunteers at their recent annual awards banquet and silent auction. Held at the New Bern Golf and Country Club, members met to share a delicious meal and recognize some of the many hard working volunteers. Executive Director Mickey Miller presented the Newcomer’s Award to Karen Whitmore and the Ambassadorship Award to the New Bern Sun Journal’s Charlie Hall and Bill Hand and New Bern Civic Theatre’s Angelina Doyle, three outstanding members of the community who helped with many of our efforts. The Education Award went to Curator, Jim Hodges, and the Executive Director’s Award to the Director’s Assistant, Pat Traynor. President Nelson McDaniel presented the Extended Service Award to Sue Baldwin, the Battlefield Award to Pat Hart, the Lifetime Service Award to Karen Norman, and the President’s Award to Jon Miller. The recipient of the Marks Scholarship, Caroline Vieregge was presented by Mary Parrish. The mission of the New Bern Historical Society is to celebrate and promote New Bern and its heritage through events and education. It takes many volunteers many hours to carry out the mission. From work on the Battlefield to hosting events like Ghostwalk, Civil War Adventure Day, and Lunch and Learn lectures, there is much to be done. And it is all accomplished with the help of the award recipients and hundreds of other committed and creative volunteers. For more information on the New Bern Historical Society visit the office at the Attmore-Oliver House at 511 Broad Street, New Bern, or call 252-638-8558, or visit www.NewBernHistorical.org or www.Facebook.com/newbernhistorical

Civil War Naval Museum Tour COLUMBUS, Ga.—On Saturday, August 27, 2016, Kennesaw State University’s College of Continuing and Professional Education sponsored a trip the National Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus, Georgia. Civil War historian and instructor Michael K. Shaffer, developed the tour as a capstone to the recently completed course on Civil War naval operations at KSU. Twenty-five students, along with others from the Atlanta area participated, and museum curator Jeff Seymour provided an excellent overview of the museum.

Gettysburg Celebrates NPS 100th GETTYSBURG, Pa..—About 200 visitors attended a brief ceremony at the Gettysburg National Military Park visitor center on August 25th to celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Park Service. The National Park Service is the parent agency for

Gettysburg as well as other national military parks and national battlefields. Using a replica Civil War sword provided for the occasion by Licensed Battlefield Guide Larry Korczyk, park officials cut a cake after a few comments by Park Superintendent Ed Clark and other dignitaries. Clark stated that the NPS system is “for you, to tell the American story.” He also stated that the Park Service is using the anniversary to reflect on “how to connect with the next generation of visitors.” The ceremony was part of a series of special events to celebrate the centennial, including several special tours on the anniversary date. Other events included “Doors Open Gettysburg” (when eight seldom open battlefield buildings were open to the public on May 7th), the Presidential Paint and Wine Night at Eisenhower Farm on May 19th, kids in the parks and artist in residence programs, and an upcoming marathon race. Yellowstone, founded in 1872, was the nation’s first national park. The National Park Service was created in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson to administer the 40 units then making up the growing national park system. (Today, the park service has grown to more than 400 units.) The enabling legislation stated that the mission of the NPS was to “… conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” Gettysburg and other military parks were assigned to the National Park Service in 1933. (Before then, the War Department was responsible for the military parks.)

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Launches Second Year of Every Kid in a Park Pass REPUBLIC, Mo.—Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield encourages all fourth graders to visit the park this year as part of the Every Kid in a Park program. The program gives fourth grade students, and those accompanying them, free access to more than 2,000 federally managed lands and waters. Visit www.EveryKidinaPark.gov to download the pass and obtain more information. “We are excited that the “Every Kid in A Park” program is entering its second year after a highly successful NPS Centennial debut!” said Superintendent Ted Hillmer. The Every Kid in a Park pass – which features a new design for this year’s students – is valid for a full calendar year starting September 1. The pass grants free entry for fourth graders and up to three accompanying adults (or an entire car for drivein parks) to most federally managed lands and waters, including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and marine sanctuaries. The newly expanded Every Kid in a Park website has links to educational activities, trip planning, field trip options, the downloadable pass, and additional information in both English and Spanish. After completing a fun educational activity, the child can download and print a pass. The paper pass can be traded for a more durable pass at participating federal sites nationwide. The program, now entering its second year, is a call to action for children to experience America’s spectacular outdoors, rich history and culture. Every Kid in a Park is a crucial component of a multi-pronged approach to inspire the next generation to discover all that our nation’s public lands and waters have to offer, including opportunities to be active, spend time with friends and family, and serve as living classrooms to build critical skills. The Every Kid in a Park program is an Administration-wide effort between the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Army, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The program continues each year with the then-current group of fourth graders. After 12 years, every schoolage child in America will have had an opportunity to visit their public land and waters for free, inspiring the next generation to be stewards of our nation’s shared natural and cultural heritage. For more information, please visit www.everykidinapark.gov and follow the program on Twitter @everykidinapark, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Ghostwalk Returns with Whispers from the Past NEW BERN, NC.— It is that time of year again, and the New Bern Historical Society is preparing its 26th annual Ghostwalk, Whispers from the past. Each Ghostwalk brings a whole new batch of characters from New Bern’s colorful and varied past to tell you their stories right in the very places they might have been seen in life. Don’t worry though, all these spirits are from history, not from science fiction. So as night falls in New Bern’s Historic District October 27-29, be on the lookout for ghosts that want to whisper their secrets! This year there will be 18 different ghost haunts in historic houses, churches and businesses, and of course in Cedar Grove Cemetery. Meet Dr. Lula Disosway, a doctor and surgeon whose medical missionary work took her north of the Arctic Circle, to the far reaches of China, and back to New Bern. See Congressman George H. White, African American attorney and prosecutor who served in Congress from 1897-1901, the last black Congressman of the Jim Crow era. Hear Sergeant William Ennever, the Union soldier killed at Bachelor’s Creek and mysteriously buried in the Ellis Family vault at Cedar Grove Cemetery. These are just a few of the many spirits that will be about during

Ghostwalk. Hauntings begin Thursday, October 27, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Expect ghost sightings at the cemetery and entertainment at both theaters and the Attmore Oliver House. An additional fourteen ghost sites are open Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $17 in advance and $22, the day of the event. Special pricing for active duty military, their dependents and students, all with ID at $12. Children 3-12 are $5 and under 3 free.. Tickets are available online at www.NewBernHistorical. org/ghostwalk and at outlets which include the Convention Center, Bank of the Arts, Mitchell Hardware, Harris Teeter in New Bern and Morehead City as well at ITT Cherry Point and ASAP Photo in Greenville. Check the website for complete outlet information, or call 252-638-8558.

Virginia Association of Museums Top 10 Endangered Artifacts Nomination LYNCHBURG, VA.—Historic Sandusky has been selected to compete for a place in Virginia’s Top 10 Endangered Artifacts List. The Top 10 Endangered Artifacts program is presented by the Virginia Association of Museums and focuses on promoting the conservation and care of museum collections. By promoting artifact conservation the Top 10 Contest has helped museums secured donors, volunteers, and grants to support their conservation projects. Historic Sandusky is operated by the non-profit Historic Sandusky Foundation in partnership with Lynchburg College. For more information contact Greg Starbuck at [email protected]

Civil War Centennial Attraction At Long-Gone History Theme Park Recalled On Facebook NEW YORK, N.Y.—During the Civil War centennial commemoration, a history theme park in New York City featured a unique attraction – a wagon ride through a recreated battlefield of that war. Rarely seen photos from that Civil War centennial attraction will appear monthly during 2017, on the third Saturday of each month, on the Freedomland U.S.A. Facebook page.

Freedomland U.S.A., the World’s Largest Entertainment Center, the name for both the park and the Facebook page, was created by C. V. Wood, the same theme park executive who helped Walt Disney build Disneyland. The 205-acre park (85 acres for attractions and the remainder for parking) operated from 1960 until 1964. It was located in the northeast section of The Bronx. The Civil War attraction coincided with the park’s opening and operation during the centennial commemoration of the war. Other attractions at the park included the recreation of the Chicago Fire, a boat ride through the Northwest Territory, cowboy gunfights at Fort Cavalry and authentic steam trains. Many young boys and girls of the early 1960s became interested in American history, specifically Civil War history, during their visits to Freedomland. The Civil War attraction was located in the park’s New Orleans themed area (the park had seven themed sections). Park guests rode on a horsedrawn correspondent’s wagon that carried about 18 people. Under a flag of truce, the wagon would weave through a trail to visit the camps of the opposing armies. The wagons also traveled along the front lines to witness skirmishing and cannon fire. The attraction ended at the surrender ceremony at Appomattox Court House. A number of “soldiers” in the attraction were the earliest form of animatronics that initially had been developed by Disney Imagineers. Along with the featured photos, the Freedomland Facebook page will include Civil War facts that correspond with each specific month of the war. Near the Civil War attraction, entertainer Charley Weaver maintained a modest Civil War museum. Known for his passion for American history, Weaver already owned a larger museum at Gettysburg. After Freedomland closed, a small company of non-animatronic “soldiers” were marched to Weaver’s Gettysburg museum. Several of these “soldiers” remained in the building past Weaver’s death until the museum closed several years ago. The site of Freedomland became the world’s largest cooperative housing development with an adjacent shopping center. The only reminder of the park on the site is an historical plaque.