Carroll 250 Event: The Maryland Constitution - An Historical View of Carroll County Presented by Joe Getty
2026-06-25 18:30 (America/New_York) | Exploration Commons, Westminster Branch of Carroll County Public Library, 50 East Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Join the Carroll Voices 250 on Thursday, June 25 to hear the Honorable Joseph Getty give this informative talk about the Maryland Constitution at Exploration Commons in Westminster.
After the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, Maryland was one of the first states to adopt a state constitution. The Maryland Constitutional Convention (the Ninth Provincial Convention) met in Annapolis during the summer and fall of 1776 and completed its work on Nov. 11, 1776. The Maryland Constitution served as a model for other states and, eleven years later, for the delegates to the Constitutional Convention for the United States during the summer of 1787. Subsequent constitution conventions were held in 1851, 1864, 1867 and 1967, although the proposed constitution in 1967 was rejected by the voters. In this presentation, historian Joe Getty will discuss Carroll County leaders – David Shriver, John E. Smith, William Pickney Maulsby, Mary B. Shellman, Mary Bryson and Richard Dixon – who have served in roles significant to the development and amendment of the Maryland Constitution.
If you plan to attend, please register here.

Carroll 250 Event: TownMall of Westminster Community Event
2026-06-26 14:00 | TownMall of Westminster, 400 North Center Street, Westminster, MD, 21157
TownMall of Westminster will be hosting a community event in celebration of our nation’s 250 birthday on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 2 pm in Center Court.
The event will include live music, pledge of allegiance, refreshments and remarks from our community leaders. Guests may also view our 250 American, State and US Military Flags on display throughout the mall.
Please contact Mark Seaman, General Manager, TownMall of Westminster if you need additional information at (410) 857-0300 x 111 or mseaman@woodmont.com.

One Vast Hospital - Downtown Frederick Walking Tour
2026-06-27 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-06-28 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-07-04 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-07-05 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-07-11 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-07-12 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-07-18 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-07-19 12:00 - 13:30 | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Explore the incredible Civil War history in Downtown Frederick with expert guides from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.
Every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and Sunday at 12:00 p.m. from April until September, docents from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine will explain how Frederick became “One Vast Hospital.” Arguably the most trying moment in city’s history came after the Battle of Antietam in the fall of 1862. The town’s population doubled when 8,000 wounded soldiers were delivered by ambulance to make-shift hospitals throughout Frederick. Walking tours last for an hour to an hour and a half.
Tickets are $15 and include admission to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in addition to the walking tour. Tickets are free for Museum members, but you must still reserve your spot. Reservations will be accepted on a first come first served basis.
Contact Chris Reed at chris.reed@civilwarmed.org for more information.

Carroll 250 Event: "Just South of Gettysburg" The 163rd Anniversary Commemoration of Corbit's Charge
2026-06-27 11:00 | Historical Society of Carroll County, 210 E. Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
On June 27, 2026, The Pipe Creek Civil War Round Table in partnership with the Historical Society of Carroll County will commemorate the tragedy of war that took place on Westminster’s streets as well as the surrounding Carroll County, Maryland area. This year’s event will feature a Memorial Service at the Corbit’s Charge Monument, a Graveside Service in the historic Ascension Churchyard, a guided tour of the historic sites around Westminster relating to Corbit’s Charge, a guided tour of the historic Shellman House, and a presentation on the Battle of Westminster, aka “Corbit’s Charge.” This event provides a great educational experience for visitors of all ages.
So, please join the Pipe Creek Civil War Roundtable and the Historical Society of Carroll County at the 2026 Corbit’s Charge event to honor and commemorate the Civil War history in Carroll County, MD. For additional information, please visit our website at http://pipecreekroundtable.org.

Carroll 250 Event: From Farmland to Festivals: How Community Gatherings Shaped Us
2026-06-27 13:00 | Sunday Morning at Savannah’s, 111 South Springdale Avenue, New Windsor, MD, 21776
Long before modern festivals and community events, our region gathered in simpler ways — at harvest fairs, church picnics, town celebrations, and shared meals. These gatherings did more than entertain. They strengthened bonds, supported neighbors, and built the culture of Carroll County.
Join Sunday Morning at Savannah’s for a storytelling afternoon exploring how community celebrations evolved in New Windsor and Westminster — and how they continue to shape who we are today.
Questions? Please contact Sunday Morning at Savannah’s at 240.550.2312.

Grant and Meade: An Uneasy Alliance – Dr. Brad Gottfried
2026-06-29 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
On June 29, Dr. Brad Gottfried will discuss his latest book, “Grant and Meade: An Uneasy Alliance.” The Meade-Grant relationship was a complex one. In this presentation, you will be asked to step into General Meade’s boots as he attempts to navigate the minefield of Washington’s politics, the sometimes vicious press, and forge a working relationship with a new General-in-Chief, who sometimes seems like he wishes to command Meade’s Army of the Potomac.
Dr. Brad Gottfried received his Ph.D. in Zoology and worked at seven colleges over a span of 40 years. He retired in 2017 as the President of the College of Southern Maryland. Brad became an Antietam Certified Battlefield Guide in 2019. He is the author of over 20 books, including The Maps of Antietam.
Come join leading historians and scholars as they discuss intriguing topics about their latest works and research on the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War during the Antietam Institute’s Civil War Summer Lecture Series. See the complete 2026 schedule.
These indoor programs are held in McKinley Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 209W Main Street with a small parking area off the alley. More parking is available on Main and Hall Streets. These lectures are free and open to the public. Each week, the Antietam Institute holds a drawing in which the proceeds support the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates and changes to the schedule.

Tolson's Chapel Open House
2026-07-04 10:00 | Tolson’s Chapel, 111 E. High St., Sharpsburg, MD, 21782
Open House 10am – 2pm.
Tolson’s Chapel is open the first Saturday of every month between April and October. Onsite docents will explain the historical significance of Tolson’s Chapel from its inception in 1866 as the spiritual and educational center of a vibrant and newly freed community of African American families in Sharpsburg, MD.

Carroll 250 Event: Sykesville’s Let Freedom Ring Parade
2026-07-04 10:00 | Sykesville Main Street, Main Street, Sykesville, MD, 21784
Bring the whole family and celebrate America’s birthday, Sykesville-style! Parade floats will be judged, and awards for floats will be announced after the parade. The parade should be over just in time for lunch and ice cream downtown Sykesville. The Let Freedom Ring parade will start at 10 AM that day, beginning at Sykesville Middle School and proceeding down Springfield Avenue and the length of Historic Main Street, with floats and vehicles accompanying the approximately 35 participants marching in units and organized groups.

"Ancestors at Antietam" - Henry Vincent and the 132nd PA Vol Inf
2026-07-04 14:00 | Antietam Institute Education Center, 101 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782
My interest in the American Civil War and the Battle of Antietam in particular occurred many years ago when I was told the story of a young man named Henry. In August of 1862, Henry, who was from Montour County, Pennsylvania answered President Abraham Lincoln’s call for 300,000 nine-month militia. Henry enlisted in the ‘Danville Fencibles’ which was comprised of men mostly from the Danville Iron Works. Before the end of the month they were mustered into service as Company A, 132nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment and in defensive works outside Washington.
With General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate invasion into Maryland, they were quickly assigned to Brigadier General Nathan Kimball’s First Brigade, 3rd Division, Second Army Corps, alongside three veteran regiments. In just over a week’s time Henry and the 132nd Pennsylvania would receive their ‘baptism of fire’ fighting for a Sunken Road among the fields and farmsteads that reminded them so much of home.
Henry survived the battle at Antietam as well as the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville unscathed. After being mustered out, he returned home to Danville to become a successful businessman, farmer, and family man. This story was passed down to me through the generations, as Henry Vincent was my great-great-grandfather.
Join the Antietam Institute on July 4, as Antietam Institute founder and battlefield guide, Chris Vincent, shares the story of his “Ancestor at Antietam” in his presentation – Henry Vincent and the Danville Fencibles: the 132nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry at Antietam.
Christopher Vincent retired after a 24-year career in the U.S. Army as a senior non-commissioned officer with light infantry units, including combat tours during Operation Desert Storm and Kosovo with the 10th Mountain Division. He earned a master’s degree in military history from the American Military University. Chris was drawn to Sharpsburg because his great-great-grandfather served during the Maryland Campaign with the 132nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He and his wife, Amy, also own two businesses in Sharpsburg, the Jacob Rohrbach Inn and the Antietam Mercantile Company. Chris serves as the chair of the Washington County Antietam Battlefield Advisory Board. His research is primarily focused on the farmsteads of Antietam and the impact the campaign had on the civilians of Sharpsburg. Chris was certified as an Antietam National Battlefield Guide in 2015 and has served as the Chief Guide since 2019. He was recognized as the Guide of the Year, receiving the 2017 O.T. Reilly Award, and is the recipient of the National Park Service’s 2022 Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Chris was the founder of the Antietam Institute and president from 2021-2025 and is currently the Executive Director of the Institute.
These monthly “Ancestors at Antietam” talks are free and open to the public – anyone may attend – and you do not need to register. The talks will be held at the Institute’s Education Center at 101W Main Street, Sharpsburg, beginning at 2 pm.

Carroll 250 Event: Fourth of July Celebration presented by the Carroll County Farm Museum
2026-07-04 16:00 | Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center Street, Westminster, MD, 21157
Join the Carroll County Farm Museum on July 4th for Carroll’s largest fireworks display at their Fourth of July Celebration starting at 4pm with fireworks going off at sundown (approximately 9:30pm). Admission is $10 per car. There will be food, live entertainment, children’s activities and more.
Admission: $10 per vehicle (CASH ONLY) — exact change preferred (cuts down on waiting time to park). Admission is non-refundable. Please stay tuned for more details.
Please no pets, outside alcohol, glass containers, fireworks/sparklers, grills, skateboards/bikes/wheelies/hoverboards/scooters/etc., or popup tents/overhead shades. Overhead sunshades/tents pose a fire safety risk & obstruct the view of other guests–they are not permitted.

America's 250th Anniversary Celebration Concert
2026-07-05 15:00 | All Saints Episcopal Church, 106 West Church St., Frederick, MD, 21701
Sunday July 5th, All Saints Episcopal Church is celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the US with two musical performances. At 3:00PM a concert featuring music by Hollis Thoms, based on revolutionary era poetry. 4:00PM after the concert, all are welcome to join for a Declaration Roundtable. They will discuss our Founding Father’s original ideas and how they hold up 250 years later. At 5:30PM our Choral Evensong, experience Evening Prayer as our Founding Fathers would have! Music spanning from the Renaissance to the modern day. All events are free and family friendly! Food and refreshments will be served.

Carroll 250 Speaker Series: Midwives to the Revolution- Maryland Women in the Early American Printing Industry
2026-07-06 18:30 | Eldersburg Branch of Carroll County Public Library, 6400 Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg, MD, 21784
In an age when women’s voices were often silenced, some found power in ink and paper. Join Dr. Amy Rosenkrans as she uncovers the crucial role women played in the colonial printing industry, spotlighting Maryland trailblazers Anne Catharine Hoof Green of Annapolis and Mary Katharine Goddard of Baltimore—printers who helped shape public opinion in a revolutionary world.
Registration is required. Please register here.

Full View of the Enemy’s Lines: Reassessing Intelligence, Command, and the Federal Signal Service at Antietam – Cory M. Pfarr
2026-07-06 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
Historian, Cory Pfarr will start off our July lectures with a look at the Federal Signal Service and his forthcoming book during his talk, “Full View of the Enemy’s Lines: Reassessing Intelligence, Command, and the Federal Signal Service at Antietam.”
Civil War scholarship has long framed Antietam through a contrast: Robert E. Lee as the dynamic battlefield commander and George B. McClellan as the detached spectator at the Pry House. Primary source evidence from the Maryland Campaign presents a different picture. Under Major Albert J. Myer and operationally directed by Captain Benjamin F. Fisher, the Federal Signal Service established a network of forward, headquarters, and backbone stations that gathered and relayed intelligence throughout September 17, 1862. One forward post—the Hooker–Meade–Sumner station manned by James Byron Brooks and William H. Hill—functioned as a mobile station that moved with the I and II Corps. Others, including the fixed Michael Miller Farm Station and the backbone post on Red Hill, transmitted battlefield reports in near-real time. These operations reveal a commander acting through an organized intelligence system, not passive observation.
Cory M. Pfarr works for the Department of War (formerly Defense). He is the award-winning author of Longstreet at Gettysburg: A Critical Reassessment (2019); Righting the Longstreet Record at Gettysburg: Six Matters of Controversy and Confusion (2023); and the forthcoming The Federal Signal Service at Antietam: Stations, Officers and Battlefield Intelligence on America’s Bloodiest Day (2026), all published by McFarland Books. His essays and scholarship have appeared in Gettysburg Magazine, North & South Magazine, and The Massachusetts Historical Review, and his work has been featured on the Pennsylvania Cable Network and C-SPAN American History TV, as well as presented to audiences at the U.S. Army War College. He lives in Fallston, Maryland, with his wife and three children.
Come join leading historians and scholars as they discuss intriguing topics about their latest works and research on the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War during the Antietam Institute’s Civil War Summer Lecture Series. See the complete 2026 schedule.
These indoor programs are held in McKinley Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 209W Main Street with a small parking area off the alley. More parking is available on Main and Hall Streets. These lectures are free and open to the public. Each week, the Antietam Institute holds a drawing in which the proceeds support the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates and changes to the schedule.

162nd Anniversary of the Battle of Monocacy Tour (Caravan Style)
2026-07-09 10:00 | Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center, 5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
Transport yourself back in time to the day of the Battle of Monocacy as a ranger provides an in-depth tour of the battlefield. This driving tour will begin at the visitor center and cover the battle chronologically. Walk in the footsteps of the men who fought valiantly to safeguard their homes and country.

Ribbon Cutting: Naganna Exhibits Hall & History Learning Center & Exhibit Openings
2026-07-09 17:00 | Historical Society of Carroll County, 210 E. Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
We hope you can join the Historical Society of Carroll County for the ribbon cutting and opening of the Naganna Exhibits Hall & History Learning Center and rededication of the Shriver-Weybright Auditorium on Thursday, July 9 at 5 pm. At that time, they will open their new Carroll 250 exhibit, Carroll County at 250: People, Place, and the Making of History. The exhibit will showcase artifacts from the HSCC collection, in addition to collections from Carroll County families and historic sites.
Other spaces officially opening on July 9th:
Doris J. Hull Event Serving Hall
Barbara Shipley Guthrie Docent Lounge and Gallery
Dave and Sharon Bollinger Kimmey Exhibit Room
We want to thank our staff, board of trustee members, volunteers, Samantha Dorsey, collections consultant, and especially the Shriver, Weybright, and Naganna families without whom this new space and exhibit would not be possible.
This is a free event and no registration is needed.
More about the exhibit:
Carroll County at 250: People, Place, and the Making of History opens July 9th at the new Naganna Exhibits Hall & History Learning Center at 210 E. Main Street in Westminster. The exhibition will explore how local residents have lived, shaped, and remembered the nation’s founding ideals from the Revolutionary era to today. The chronological exhibition brings national history close to home. Through objects, documents, and stories drawn from the Society’s collections, regional scholarship, and community contributions, visitors will discover how everyday life in Carroll County reflects broader American change. Guided by three central ideas, place, people, and memory, the exhibition will highlight how geography, work, belief, and civic life have shaped the county across generations. Additionally, the exhibit will demonstrate how history is preserved, interpreted, and shared over time. The exhibit will be open to the public Wednesday -Friday 11am-4pm weekly and will run through the end of 2027.
The Historical Society of Carroll County (HSCC) is discovering a plethora of incredible artifacts that will be on exhibit for the anniversary year, including General Mordecai Gists’ Revolutionary era cane sword, a famed Bruce family silver creamer, original 18th century documents, commemorative items from the 1976 bicentennial year, and other never-before-seen items from area museums and private collectors. Several objects on loan include archival documents from Dickinson College in Carlise, PA and pastel paintings from Frederick Kemmelmeyer, on loan from the Maryland Center for History and Culture in Baltimore.
Samantha Dorsey, a consultant specializing in curation and exhibits in museums in the mid-Atlantic region, is serving as guest curator of Carroll County at 250: People, Place, and the Making of History.

History: Shaken & Stirred - Untold Stories of Revolution in Carroll County
2026-07-09 18:00 | Covalent Spirits, 118 E. Main Street, Westminster, Maryland, 21157
Stop in for a drink at Covalent Spirits Westminster on July 9th at 6pm as HSCC continues History: Shaken and Stirred. Once again there will be five speakers telling up to 5-minutes of untold, local history stories shared with the crowd in a fun, relaxed setting. This quarter, Untold Stories of Revolution in Carroll County will be told. A special history-themed drink will be developed by owners Jenn and Drew. Light refreshments provided by Collision Course.
As a special treat, Blowfish Poke Hawaiian Grill – A frequent food truck in the Westminster area will be at Covalent Spirits for History: Shaken & Stirred this time. He offers fresh, island-inspired poke bowls, sushi, Hawaiian barbecue, and plates. No need to pay for a meal in advance. You will purchase that food from the truck and enjoy it inside Covalent or on their patio.
No RSVP or reservation required. All are welcome and encouraged to attend the auditorium and exhibit opening then come down Main Street to hear great stories of Revolution in Carroll County!

162nd Commemoration of the Battle of Monocacy
2026-07-11 09:00 | Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center, 5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
Join rangers and volunteers as they commemorate the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Monocacy with real time hikes, along with military living history demonstrations. Rangers and living historians will work in tandem this year on different parts of the battlefield to provide a unique twist on traditional battlefield programming. Stay tuned for program/demonstration times.

Elevated Architecture Double Decker Bus Tour
2026-07-11 10:00 | The Museum of Frederick County History, 24 E Church St, Frederick, MD, 21701
Heritage Frederick is excited to partner with Maryland Double Deckers to bring you an all new history experience! Most people walk through Downtown Frederick with absolutely no awareness of what’s happening above their own eyebrows, which is precisely how gargoyles gain confidence. This tour aims to correct that.
Many of the defining features of historic Downtown Frederick’s charming architecture are found high above the streets in upper stories, cornices, and spires. Discover beautifully preserved examples of commercial, residential, religious, and public buildings displaying major American and European styles that span more than two centuries. Along the way, we’ll explore how the history of Frederick is told by the enduring structures that witnessed it.
Recurring program: Saturdays: June 13, July 11, August 8 10-11:30am Sundays: September 13, October 11 2-3:30pm

Living History at the Museum
2026-07-11 11:00 | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Join the National Museum of Civil War Medicine for living history! Members of the Blue and Gray Hospital Association will be in the Delaplaine Randall Conference Room describing the medical history of America’s bloodiest conflict. Dressed as members of the Union Medical Department and armed with period medical equipment, the unit brings a unique perspective to understanding the conflict.
The presentation is included with admission to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and FREE for NMCWM members.

“‘Your Golden Opportunity Is Gone?: General Meade & The Pursuit From Gettysburg” – Jen Murray
2026-07-13 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
Between July 1-3, 1863, Major General George G. Meade led the Army of the Potomac in a victory at the Battle of Gettysburg, marking the army’s first significant battlefield victory to date. Upon hearing of the repulse of the Confederate forces at Gettysburg, northern civilians and newspapers rejoiced in Meade’s great victory. But such euphoria proved short-lived, and Meade’s decline in prominence came as rapidly as his ascent to command. By July 14, a mere eleven days following the battle’s climactic assault of Pickett’s Charge, General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia rested on the south side of the Potomac River. Disappointment in Meade’s inability to destroy, not merely defeat, the southern forces spread throughout the North and defined the atmosphere in Washington, D.C. During the program, we will explore Meade’s leadership during the pursuit and consider the Army of the Potomac in these pivotal days following the Battle of Gettysburg. Join us on July 13 as Dr. Jennifer Murray presents, “‘Your Golden Opportunity Is Gone?: General Meade & The Pursuit From Gettysburg.”
Dr. Jennifer M. Murray is an Assistant Professor of History at Shepherd University and the Director of the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War. Her most recent publication is On A Great Battlefield: The Making, Management, and Memory of Gettysburg National Military Park, 1933-2023, published by the University of Tennessee Press in 2014 and printed as a second edition in 2023. Murray is currently working on a full-length biography of General George Meade, tentatively titled Meade at War. She is the co-editor of the forthcoming, “They Are Dead, And Yet They Live”: Civil War Memories in a Polarized America to be published by the University of Nebraska Press in February 2026. Prior to joining the faculty at Shepherd, Murray taught at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. A native of Maryland, Murray worked as a seasonal interpretive park ranger at Gettysburg National Military Park for nine summers.
Come join leading historians and scholars as they discuss intriguing topics about their latest works and research on the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War during the Antietam Institute’s Civil War Summer Lecture Series. See the complete 2026 schedule.
These indoor programs are held in McKinley Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 209W Main Street with a small parking area off the alley. More parking is available on Main and Hall Streets. These lectures are free and open to the public. Each week, the Antietam Institute holds a drawing in which the proceeds support the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates and changes to the schedule.

Citizen Meets Soldier
2026-07-18 10:00 - 2026-07-19 10:00 | The Union Mills Homestead, 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, MD, 21158, United States
PLEASE NOTE: As of 7/16, all outdoor activities have been canceled due to impending weather. Any reenactors still able to attend are welcome at the historic house and grist mill. Visitors may still attend during regular admission hours (12-4) and experience Civil War focused programming as part of tours of the house and mill. Tickets may be purchased in the gift shop.
“Citizen Meets Soldier” is a living history of 1863 in Carroll County, Maryland. Join the Union Mills Homestead to commemorate the events of the hot summer of 1863. Walk in the footsteps of the citizens of Carroll County, Maryland, who were divided in their loyalties, and the Union and Confederate soldiers who camped along Big Pipe Creek at Union Mills in the days surrounding the Battle of Gettysburg. This event will celebrate and commemorate the chaos and excitement of the Civil War in Carroll County, Maryland.
In the days surrounding Lee’s Second Invasion of the North, small towns in Carroll County — including Union Mills — saw the movement of both U.S. and Confederate Armies, supply wagons, injured soldiers, and an important skirmish occurred in nearby Westminster. There, U.S. Cavalry charged headfirst into Confederate Cavalry under the command of Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart. But for a few hours, a battle may well have occurred at Union Mills, as it lay dead center in the Union Army’s defensive line along Big Pipe Creek and Union Mills served as the site of overnight encampments by both Stuart’s Confederate Cavalry and Sykes’ Fifth Corps of the U.S. Army. Stuart’s Cavalry pulled out of Union Mills just hours before the Union Army arrived!

Dan Sickles at Gettysburg: The Story of the Civil War’s Most Notorious Amputated Leg
2026-07-18 14:00 | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Join the National Museum of Civil War Medicine for their Saturday Speaker Series with Historian James Hessler and take a fascinating look at myth, lore, and facts surrounding Maj. Gen. Dan Sickles’ Gettysburg wounding and leg amputation. A Confederate solid shot at the Battle of Gettysburg shattered controversial Union General Dan Sickles’ right leg, and surgeons subsequently amputated the limb. Sickles’ leg bone was then donated to the fledgling Army Medical Museum, and he often visited his severed limb there. Sickles’ leg bone remains a popular museum relic more than 160 years later, and a replica is now on display at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Hessler will discuss the odyssey of Sickles’ amputated leg and how he used it to declare himself “the hero of Gettysburg.”
James Hessler is a historian, author, and Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park. He is the author or co-author of four books on the Gettysburg Campaign: “Sickles at Gettysburg” (2009), “Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg” (2015), “Gettysburg’s Peach Orchard” (2019), and his most recent release, “The First Day at Gettysburg” (2025). Beyond his publications, Hessler co-created and hosts the popular Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, reaching a global audience of history enthusiasts.

Custer in the Maryland Campaign – Jim Hessler
2026-07-20 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
Few names in American military history are as noteworthy and controversial as George Armstrong Custer. The year 2026 marks the 150th anniversary of his death at the Battle of Little Bighorn. The year 1862, however, marked the beginning of his rise as an officer in the Army of the Potomac. Join historian and LBG, Jim Hessler, on July 20, as we examine Custer’s role as a staff officer under George McClellan during the Maryland campaign and how that relationship impacted the rest of Custer’s life and meteoric career.
James Hessler is a historian, author, and Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park, where he has been interpreting the battle since 2003. He is the author or co-author of four books on the Gettysburg Campaign: Sickles at Gettysburg (2009), Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg (2015), Gettysburg’s Peach Orchard (2019), and his most recent release, The First Day at Gettysburg (2025). His work has earned several distinguished book awards, and he has also published articles in respected outlets such as Gettysburg Magazine.
Beyond his publications, Hessler co-created and hosts the popular Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, reaching a global audience of history enthusiasts. He has appeared as a public historian in major media such as the History Channel, NPR, Travel Channel, PCN-TV, and in programs and content development with the American Battlefield Trust.
Hessler is a frequent speaker for national and regional historical organizations. His willingness to tackle controversial subjects continues to spark discussion and deepen understanding of Gettysburg’s enduring story. Besides Gettysburg, Hessler has led battlefield tours at numerous sites across the country. He currently serves in a board or advisory capacity for Gettysburg History (Adams County Historical Society), Gettysburg Museum of History, and the Little Bighorn Associates.
Come join leading historians and scholars as they discuss intriguing topics about their latest works and research on the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War during the Antietam Institute’s Civil War Summer Lecture Series. See the complete 2026 schedule.
These indoor programs are held in McKinley Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 209W Main Street with a small parking area off the alley. More parking is available on Main and Hall Streets. These lectures are free and open to the public. Each week, the Antietam Institute holds a drawing in which the proceeds support the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates and changes to the schedule.
