Heart of the Civil War

Carroll 250 Speaker Series: After the Fashion of His Country – Asia and Asians in the 18th Century Mid-Atlantic
2025-12-13 14:00 UTC | Carroll County Public Library – Mt. Airy Branch, 705 Ridge Ave, Mt Airy, Maryland, 21771
This fascinating talk with be presented by Daniel Sieh. Asia was known for centuries in Europe, and the British were keen to profit off the exotic goods through commerce. This trade was far from a one-sided exchange; it was a dialogue between two very distinct cultures. Goods, ideas and people flowed through trade routes established by the British East India Company and reached as far as the 13 colonies (soon, the nascent United States). These goods, and yes, even people, arrived as distant foreigners in a strange land, but left an indelible mark that has only recently been uncovered. Register at the link below.

Plumb Grove by Candlelight
2025-12-13 14:00 (America/New_York) | Plumb Grove Mansion, 12654 Broadfording Road, Clear Spring, MD, 21722
Plumb Grove Mansion was once surrounded by Civil War encampments, but is again now a peaceful house fully decorated in 19th century style for the holidays. Visitors will discover the house looking as it did in the 1860’s. Fireplaces will keep guests warm as they view the thirteen rooms, slave quarters, washhouse, and barn. Live music and refreshments. The house is also open the following day, Dec. 14th from 1-4pm.

Civil War Style Church Service
2025-12-14 13:00 UTC | Rocky Springs Chapel, 7817 Rocky Springs Road, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States
Attend a Civil War-style, nondenominational Christian church service at Historic Rocky Springs Chapel, 7817 Rocky Springs Road, Frederick, Maryland, on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. HRSC Trustee and Preacher Kirk Callison will preach the sermon wearing Civil War period attire. A short living history program will follow the church service. HRSC is dedicated to using living history programs to accurately educate the public on Christian practices and the impact of faith on American society during the Civil War.
The event is free and open to the public. The wearing of Civil War period attire is encouraged but not required.
Questions about the event should be directed to HRSC Trustee and Preacher Kirk Callison or HRSC Trustee Maria Callison at (301) 874-4737 (Home); (240) 409-8361 (cell); or kmcallison@verizon.net

Christmas and the Civil War
2025-12-14 15:00 (America/New_York) | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Join the National Museum of Civil War Medicine on Sunday, December 14 at 3:00 PM as volunteer Brad Stone, portraying a Civil War Santa, discusses the history behind the celebration of Christmas during the Civil War. The Civil War shaped the way we celebrate the holiday season in the United States in surprising ways. One of the most surprising is the depiction of Santa Claus, as Civil War era illustrator Thomas Nast toyed with images of the jolly elf during the conflict that evolved into the Santa we know today in the United States.

Box Lunch Talk: 40 Years of the Artist Studio Tour and the History of Art Entrepreneurship in Carroll County Presented by Linda Van Hart
2025-12-16 12:00 UTC | Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
The Carroll County Artists’ Studio Tour celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024. The tour was the brainchild of metalsmith Linda Van Hart, a founding member of the Carroll County Arts Council and renowned art educator. Linda will talk about her work and the work of other artists who comprise the vibrant art scene in Carroll County. As always, there is no registration for Box Lunch Talks. You bring your lunch, and we provide the drinks and desserts (thanks to our volunteers and staff). The cost is $3 for HSCC members and $5 for nonmembers.

Frederick County Civil War Roundtable Meeting and Presentation
2025-12-18 19:00 (America/New_York) | MD
Stephen Romaine will present “The 1864 American Insurrection That Wasn’t” in an online-only presentation. The failure of Confederate clandestine operations in the latter part of the American Civil War to prevent Lincoln’s reelection are generally attributed to ineptness, poor planning, and a last-minute loss of nerve by the collaborators. There is some truth to this, yet it is undeniable that the Lincoln Administration received an early leg-up on Rebel plans that proved consequential. The essay presents how a highly effective counter-insurgency effort was put in place that prevented the opening of a northern front that could very well have derailed Lincoln’s reelection.
Please note: This is an online only event and may be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/@nmcwm at the time noted.

Candlelight Tour of Historic Houses of Worship
2025-12-26 15:00 UTC | Multiple Sites, Downtown Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, 21701
The beloved Candlelight Tour of Historic Houses of Worship returns this holiday season in Downtown Frederick. This special open house celebrates Frederick’s stunning architecture, local history, and the holiday season on Friday, December 26, 2025 from 3PM-8PM. This is Frederick’s most popular church tour and is a great opportunity to step inside some of its most beautiful buildings.
As the sun begins to set, visitors can tour many of Frederick’s famous clustered spires and other historic houses of worship by candlelight. Guests will be welcomed with special programs, angelic choirs, and nativity scenes.
Stop by the Information Center at 19 E Church Street to pick up a printed map of participating sites and other information about Frederick including dining, shopping, and lodging guides.

History: Shaken & Stirred - Untold Stories of Industry in Carroll County
2026-01-08 18:00 (America/New_York) | Covalent Spirits, 118 E. Main Street, Westminster, Maryland, 21157
Stop in for a drink at Covalent Spirits Westminster on January 8th at 6pm as HSCC continues History: Shaken and Stirred. Once again there will be five speakers telling three 5-minute, untold, local history stories shared with the crowd in a fun, relaxed setting. This quarter, Untold Stories of Industry in Carroll County will be told. A special history-themed drink will be developed by owners Jenn and Drew.
Please have dinner before you come, as the refreshments are light and meant for snacking. Light refreshments provided by Collision Course. No RSVP or reservation required.

Carroll County's 189th Birthday Celebration
2026-01-10 14:00 (America/New_York) | Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
This year’s 189th Carroll County Birthday Party will also start the celebration of the 250th Birthday of the United States of America. The title of the celebration …
Patrician Patriot: Charles Carroll and his Fellow Maryland Signers
Charles Carroll of Carrollton and three other Marylanders were among the fifty-six men who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, pledging their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor in support of America’s revolutionary cause. Historian Glenn E. Campbell profiles the personal lives and political careers of Charles Carroll and his fellow Maryland Signers: Samuel Chase, William Paca, and Thomas Stone.

Frederick County Civil War Roundtable Meeting and Presentation
2026-01-15 19:00 (America/New_York) | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Please join the FCCWRT as Robert E. Crickenberger Jr. presents “Point Lookout and the Second Wave of Prisons.” As the Civil War progressed into its third bloody year, federal campaigns were sending thousands of prisoners north in numbers that overwhelmed existing prisons. Furthermore, the forced cessation of a prisoner exchange cartel compounded the burden of the already overcrowded prison system, further denying the Confederate government of its much-needed manpower. By mid-1863, a desperate Commissary General of Prisoners, Colonel William Hoffman, began scouring the northern states, seeking locations to build new camps to better manage this sudden influx of prisoners. Hoffman’s latest prison, Point Lookout, began the succession of new holding areas in what is now referred to as the “Second Wave of Prisons.”
This presentation is free for members, $5 suggested fee for non-members.

Art At Night: Carroll Street Buildings of Industry
2026-01-15 19:00 (America/New_York) | The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S Carroll St, Frederick, MD, 21701, United States
Join Heritage Frederick Archivist Jody Brumage, McClintock Distillery’s Braeden Bumpers, Twin Bear’s Bakery’s Andrew and Emily Roy, and the Delaplaine for an engaging look into the history of each of their buildings and the industries that shaped the Carroll Street area of downtown Frederick. You can also enjoy a whiskey tasting from McClintock, bread tasting from Twin Bears, and the art in the Delaplaine’s galleries!

How Civil War Medicine Killed President James Garfield
2026-01-17 14:00 (America/New_York) | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
When an assassin’s bullet struck James Garfield in July 1881, the battle to save the president’s life began. In the weeks that followed, doctors argued over how to treat the stricken executive. In the end, Dr. D. Willard Bliss, a former Civil War surgeon, took control of Garfield’s recovery and controversy has surrounded his role ever since. Historian Jake Wynn will discuss the history of Garfield’s recovery and how antiquated techniques learned by Dr. Bliss during his Civil War experience played a role in James Garfield’s death in September 1881.
Jake Wynn is the Senior Marketing and Communications Manager at Visit Frederick and the former National Museum of Civil War Medicine Director of Interpretation. He is a 2015 graduate of Hood College, with degrees in history and communications arts. He has formerly worked with Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, and the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area.

19th Century Winter Life Lecture in Clear Spring & Fiddling
2026-01-18 14:00 (America/New_York) | Plumb Grove Mansion, 12654 Broadfording Road, Clear Spring, MD, 21722
Everyday life in Clear Spring during the winter months. Includes who died from rat poison to Civil War happenings from a private diary. There will also be period fiddle tunes every time a party is mentioned. Learn what you don’t know and share some laughs. Held in the barn social room.

Box Lunch Talk: The Miller’s Apprentice: The Murder of Abraham Lynn and the Execution of Joseph Davis Presented by Dave Owings
2026-01-20 12:00 (America/New_York) | Historical Society of Carroll County, 210 E. Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Joseph Davis, 22 years old, murdered his friend and employer Abraham Lynn on April 5th, 1872. Lynn was a husband and father, a prosperous businessman, and just shy of his 28th birthday. The murder resulted in two trials, several hearings by the Court of Appeals, the State Legislature, and ultimately ended with Governor Pinkney Whyte interviewing witnesses himself. The final act in this story was the dramatic execution of Joe Davis before a crowd of thousands behind the old jail in Westminster. This tragic episode is a precedent – setting legal case and a peek into the lives of average Carroll Countians in the 1870’s.
Dave Owings was born and raised in Carroll County. He was a public school teacher for 30 years in Baltimore and Carroll Counties, most recently at South Carroll High School. He is currently an adjunct English professor at Carroll Community College. He has two adult daughters and lives in Finksburg with his wife, Lucy, and his dog, Roscoe.
**NOTE** – As of January 2026, our Box Lunch Talks are moving to the Society. All Box Lunch Talks will be at 210 E. Main Street in the auditorium and exhibit space. Parking is available in our back parking lot, behind Ascension Church in the municipal lot (off of Ralph Street), and on Main Street. Some Main Street parking is metered and some is free. As always, there is no registration for Box Lunch Talks. You bring your lunch, and we provide the drinks and desserts (thanks to our volunteers and staff). The cost is $3 for HSCC members and $5 for nonmembers.

Curious Iguana Presents: Author Richard Bell
2026-01-22 18:00 (America/New_York) | C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E Patrick Street, Frederick, MD, 21701
With America’s 250th birthday on the horizon, join Curious Iguana on Thursday, January 22, from 6:30-7:30 pm for a fascinating look into the past with author Richard Bell as he discusses his new book The American Revolution and the Fate of the World. Following his talk, Richard will answer questions and sign books. Copies of The American Revolution and the Fate of the World will be available for purchase at the event.
Location: C. Burr Artz Public Library – 110 E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701
This free, public event is presented in partnership with Frederick County Public Libraries. For accessibility requests, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event.
About the book: A prize-winning historian’s fascinating and unfamiliar recasting of America’s war of independence as a transformative international event
In this revelatory and enthralling book, award-winning historian Richard Bell reveals the full breadth and depth of America’s founding event. The American Revolution was not only the colonies’ triumphant liberation from the rule of an overbearing England; it was also a cataclysm that pulled in participants from around the globe and threw the entire world order into chaos. Repositioning the Revolution at the center of an international web, Bell’s narrative ranges as far afield as India, Africa, Central America, and Australia. As his lens widens, the “War of Independence” manifests itself as a sprawling struggle that upended the lives of millions of people on every continent and fundamentally transformed the way the world works, disrupting trade, restructuring penal systems, stirring famine, and creating the first global refugee crisis. Bell conveys the impact of these developments at home and abroad by grounding the narrative in the gripping stories of individuals—including women, minorities, and other disenfranchised people. The result is an unforgettable and unexpected work of American history that shifts everything we thought we knew about our creation story.
About the author: Richard Bell is Professor of History at the University of Maryland and author of the book Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home which was a finalist for the George Washington Prize and the Harriet Tubman Prize. He has held major research fellowships at Yale, Cambridge, and the Library of Congress and is the recipient of the National Endowment of the Humanities Public Scholar award and the Andrew Carnegie Fellowship. His new book, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World, was published by Penguin in November 2025.

Feast & Famine: Rations in the Civil War
2026-01-24 10:00 (America/New_York) | Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center, 5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
During the American Civil War the standard army ration was the same for both Federal and Confederate armies. Each ration was divided into five components —meat, flour, vegetable, coffee/sugar, and seasoning. Commissioned officers in the United States Army did not draw rations directly. They were given a cash allowance that was used to purchase food from the Commissary; while commissioned officers in the Confederate Army drew the same ration as privates. Depending upon the season, the region of the country and the availability, the food that was actually issued varied dramatically.
During the Civil War, soldiers did not rely solely upon the government for food either. Foraging, or taking food from the land and farms in the path of the army, was common in all armies. Soldiers could also purchase food from sutlers and received food from family and friends who sent it to camp.
This presentation will describe the food soldiers actually ate and how they cooked it through looking at original ration returns, diaries, letters and cooking equipment.

HSCC's Hard Hat Open House (Day 1)
2026-01-29 16:00 (America/New_York) | Historical Society of Carroll County, 210 E. Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
The Historical Society of Carroll County is excited to offer a one-of-a-kind open house to everyone! Join on January 29 (one of two days) for their evening open house from 4 pm – 6 pm which will start at the HSCC’s 210 E. Main Street Kimmey building. Enjoy a look at their progress for their Capital Campaign with the Cockey’s Tavern library and Kimmey building renovations, have some yummy food and drinks, and ask any questions you may have of HSCC staff. No reservations required for this free event.

Carroll 250 Event: Doing History: An Archivist’s Approach to Uncovering the Past
2026-01-29 18:30 (America/New_York) | McDaniel College, Hoover Library, 2 College Hill, Westminster, MD, 21157
Join Kyle Dalton (Union Mills Homestead), Adrienne Smith (Gatehouse Museum), and Gwen Coddington (McDaniel College) for an engaging session exploring the theme of “Doing History” as part of the Semiquincentennial celebration. This conversation invites participants to step into the historian’s role—examining how archivists interpret evidence, uncover silences in collections, and craft inclusive narratives. Through an archivist’s lens, attendees will gain insight into the historical method, learn how community knowledge and oral histories shape our understanding of the past, and discover how they too can “do history” in meaningful ways. This session emphasizes transparency, collaboration, and the evolving nature of historical interpretation, encouraging public engagement with history as a dynamic and participatory process. Registration is required is now open for this event.

HSCC's Hard Hat Open House (Day 2)
2026-01-30 14:00 (America/New_York) | Historical Society of Carroll County, 210 E. Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
The Historical Society of Carroll County is excited to offer a one-of-a-kind open house to everyone! Join on January 30 (one of two days) for their afternoon open house from 2 pm – 4 pm which will start at the HSCC’s 210 E. Main Street Kimmey building. Enjoy a look at their progress for their Capital Campaign with the Cockey’s Tavern library and Kimmey building renovations, have some yummy food and drinks, and ask any questions you may have of HSCC staff. No reservations required for this free event.

What to the Hawaiian is the Fourth of July? Paradoxes of Liberty and Independence in U.S. History - With Mallory Huard, Ph.D.
2026-02-11 19:00 (America/New_York) | Hood College, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD, 21701
In 1852, Frederick Douglass gave his famous speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” Forty-two years later, after a coup against the Hawaiian Queen Lili‘uokalani, the Republic of Hawaii was declared on July 4, 1894. Assistant Professor of History Mallory Huard, Ph.D., explores the complicated meanings of July 4 celebrations for African Americans and Native Hawaiians, offering an important perspective on the meaning of Independence Day and 250 years of American History.
This presentation will take place in the Beneficial-Hodson Library and Learning Commons, 2nd floor.
Hood College and Frederick Community College have created a series of events for the 250th, called “Liberty in Context: The American Story at 250.” Some events are at Hood, some are at FCC, and they are open to the public. The event page is on Hood’s website, and the events will end in September on or about Constitution Day.

Painting the Past
2026-02-14 13:00 (America/New_York) | Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center, 5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
Join Monocacy National Battlefield staff as they look at a wide variety of uniforms from the American Civil War and paint your own miniature soldiers. All paints and materials are provided; participants should be 10 or older. Registration is limited, so please email e-mail us with the number of intended participants. Please contact Monocacy National Battlefield at Mono_Mail@nps.gov or by phone at 301-662-3515 to register.

History on Tap: Civil War Beer Tasting
2026-02-14 16:00 (America/New_York) | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Join the National Museum of Civil War Medicine for History on Tap: Civil War Beer Tasting on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 4:00pm. Sample Civil War-inspired beers, hardtack, and cookies while exploring the stories of the people, places, and themes they’re named for. A special Valentine’s Day event. Tickets are $20/person or $35/couple. A limited number of tickets will be sold.

Hearts, Kisses, & Love of Country
2026-02-15 13:00 (America/New_York) | Plumb Grove Mansion, 12654 Broadfording Road, Clear Spring, MD, 21722
A combination of President’s Day and Valentine’s Day Exhibit. The 1831 museum house will display 19th century political items such as a Whig and Harrison for President quilts, Lincoln and Clay lithographs, and other 1840’s lithographs, an 1825 Lafayette pitcher, and other items. In addition, more than 100 antique Valentine’s Day cards will be displayed. All and all, a beautiful exhibit at a house where Civil War soldiers camped, with a charming mountain view.

Contending Combatants: 20th North Carolina vs 9th New York Heavy Artillery
2026-02-21 10:00 (America/New_York) | Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center, 5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
Among the forces fighting against each other at the Battle of Monocacy were the 9th New York Heavy Artillery and the 20th North Carolina. Both regiments fought as infantry, and both were heavily engaged as skirmishers and sharpshooters during the battle. So how did these regiments compare when facing off?
Join Living History Volunteers representing these regiments as they exhibit their equipment, both reproduction and original, as well as discuss the similarities and differences between the tactics and deployments used by the 9th New York Heavy Artillery and 20th North Carolina during the Battle of Monocacy.

Carroll 250 Event: Love Letters from the Past
2026-02-21 13:00 (America/New_York) | Sunday Morning at Savannah’s, 111 South Springdale Avenue, New Windsor, MD, 21776
Experience history through the most personal lens — love. This intimate evening features letters exchanged between couples in the early 1900s, revealing romance, devotion, longing, and everyday life from another era.
Through readings and discussion, we’ll explore how love was expressed, endured, and preserved long before modern communication, reminding us that some sentiments truly are timeless. This is a free event.

What Happened to Halfway African American Cemetery? With Emilie Amt, Ph. D., and Elizabeth Paul
2026-02-24 13:00 (America/New_York) | Hood College, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD, 21701
Created in 1897, Halfway African American Cemetery housed 400 individuals. But when the property was sold for development in 1944, the cemetery was not relocated. Instead, it was largely destroyed and forgotten – until being rediscovered decades later. Emilie Amt, Ph. D., professor emerita of history at Hood College, and Elizabeth Paul, president of the Friends of Halfway African American Cemetery, will discuss the history and preservation of this important local landmark and its significance to marginalized communities.
Supported by the Hood Office of Community and Inclusivity and the Center for the Humanities. This presentation will take place at the Beneficial-Hodson Library and Learning Commons, 2nd floor.

Parsons Newman Lecture Series: Connecting Sites and Stories: New Insights on African American History Research in Frederick County
2026-02-26 17:30 (America/New_York) | Heritage Frederick, 24 E Church ST, Frederick, Maryland, 21701
The Parsons Newman Lecture Series is FREE to attend. The series honors the civic leadership of Parsons Newman and is presented through the Parsons Newman Fund established by Mr. and Mrs. John D. Hendrickson II at The Community Foundation of Frederick County.
Building relationships through the sharing of cultural memory, research collections, and personal experiences creates a more complete and compelling understanding of our history. In recent years, such relationships between local organizations have been crucial to helping our historical sites and museums discover and share more of their own stories and their interconnectedness through the lives of the people that once inhabited them.
Particularly, this collaboration has expanded our understanding of how enslaved people experienced different living and labor conditions among Frederick County’s domestic, industrial, and agricultural settings. In the midst of such challenging circumstances, we are introduced to stories of courageous people who risked everything to seek the promises of equality, justice, and freedom that inspired our nation’s founding, for which we celebrate the 250th anniversary in 2026. We are discovering how they navigated emancipation and established new lives as free people, and how communities were formed, moved, and in some cases, lost as time went on.
This program will feature representatives from several history organizations, including Heritage Frederick, Rose Hill Manor Parks and Museum, and the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, in conversation about their shared research initiatives and how these new insights are being shared with visitors and local communities.

Carroll 250 Event: History Day Expo
2026-02-28 09:00 (America/New_York) | Winters Mill High School, 560 Gorsuch Road, Westminster, MD, 21157
This year, Carroll County History Day will be at Winters Mill High School from 9 am – 1 pm. Attend programs and visit exhibitors, including museums, historical societies, and historic sites.
Experience the incredible work of middle and high school students as they showcase their historical research on this year’s History Day theme: “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.” Explore Carroll County’s rich heritage by visiting exhibits from local historical sites and organizations at the History Expo. Plus, enjoy a keynote address from a special guest representing Maryland 250!

Multiple Belongings Reception
2026-02-28 15:00 (America/New_York) | Hodson Gallery at Tatem Arts Center, Hood College, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD, 21701
Reception – Feb. 28, 2026, 3 – 5pm; Exhibit – Feb. 23 through March 6, 2026 Hood College Galleries is pleased to present “Multiple Belongings,” an exhibition of ceramic sculptures fulfilling the Master of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics by artist Rosa M. Torres. Through her works, Torres invites the viewer to examine “belonging” and “identity,” and the roles these play in shaping culture and heritage.
In “Multiple Belongings,” clay serves as a metaphor for place and a vessel for memory, symbolizing resilience and reclamation. The exhibition offers an opportunity for dialogue about migration, identity, and cultural connection, making it a meaningful show for the arts and cultural community. By posing open-ended questions, such as “What stories of migration or movement do you see reflected in this artwork?” viewers are invited to reflect on the experiences of migration, diaspora, and transnational communities, and to consider how diverse perspectives and journeys shape both individual and collective identities, inviting visitors to a thoughtful exploration of belonging and cultural memory.

'Meet the Authors' Book Signing of "Armies of Antietam"
2026-03-07 14:00 (America/New_York) | Antietam Institute Education Center, 101 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782
“Armies of Antietam: The Union and Confederate Armies at the Battle of Antietam” is a comprehensive look at the organization of both armies during the Maryland Campaign of September 1862. This work focuses on each regiment of the Federal and Confederate armies, as well as biographical information on the regimental commanders. Each regimental entry includes information on service before, during, and after the Maryland Campaign. The work also provides for each regiment where its companies were organized, how it was armed, and the casualties it suffered during the Maryland Campaign.
Robert Gottschalk first became interested in the Civil War 60 years ago, when his family regularly visited Gettysburg. Growing up in the Philadelphia area, he graduated with a B.A. in History from West Chester University. A temporary ranger at Antietam during the 125th anniversary years, Bob continued to do interpretive programs there after leaving, as well as at Gettysburg, Harpers Ferry, Valley Forge, and Richmond, among others. “Armies of Antietam” is his first book. Robert currently lives near Indianapolis. J.O. Smith is a native of Miami, Florida, and a lifelong student of the Civil War. Jim began volunteering at Antietam in 2017 and became a certified battlefield guide in 2018. He currently serves as Vice President and a board member of the Antietam Institute. Jim contributed chapters for “Brigades of Antietam” and “Commanders of Antietam”, and has written for “The Antietam Journal.” He has an MA in history from the University of Georgia and undergraduate and law degrees from Duke University. A corporate lawyer for more than 25 years in the Washington, DC area, he has been with Hilton since 2011. Jim and his family live in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Books will be available to purchase.
