Summer Lecture Series: Before September: The Origin of the 1862 Maryland Campaign – Dr. Alex Rossino
2025-07-07 19:00 UTC | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
Confederate military and political leaders hatched multiple plans for an invasion of Maryland before Lee’s army crossed the Potomac in September 1862. In this talk, Dr. Rossino documents those plans and the impact they had on Lee’s decision to enter the state.
Dr. Alexander B. Rossino resides in Washington County, Maryland. An award-winning independent historian, Dr. Rossino earned his degree from Syracuse University and worked at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C from 1994 to 2003. He is the author of Their Maryland: The Army of Northern Virginia from the Potomac Crossing to Sharpsburg in September 1862 (Savas Beatie, 2021), Calamity at Frederick: Robert E. Lee, Special Orders No. 191, and Confederate Misfortune on the Road to Antietam (Savas Beatie, 2023) and has published several articles on the Maryland Campaign. He has co-authored The Tale Untwisted: General George B. McClellan, the Maryland Campaign, and the Discovery of Lee’s Lost Orders (Savas Beatie, 2022) with Gene Thorp. Alex has also written a two-part series of historically accurate Civil War novels published by Savas Beatie, Six Days in September: A Novel of Lee’s Army in Maryland, 1862 (2017) and The Guns of September: A Novel of McClellan’s Army in Maryland, 1862 (2024).
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 2025 schedule.
These indoors 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 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.

Culture & Cocktails: History of the Herald Mail Building
2025-07-11 18:00 | Miller House Museum, 135 W Washington St, Hagerstown, MD, 21740, United States
On Friday, July 11, Thomas Vitanza and Catherine Lavoie present the history and architecture of the Herald Mail building at 100 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown, a significant building designed by a modernist architectural firm in the 1970s that became a cutting-edge newspaper printing plant for Washington County.
Thomas Vitanza is a recently retired Senior Historical Architect for the National Park Service Historic Preservation Training Center, and Catherine Lavoie is an architectural historian for the NPS HABS program and author (with Lisa Pfueller Davidson) of Buildings of Maryland, published by the Society of Architectural Historians.
This month’s drink is the Harvey Wallbanger, a cocktail combining vodka, orange juice, and Galliano, a popular drink during the 1970s, when the Herald Mail building was constructed. Doors open at 5:30 PM and light hors d’oeuvres will be served!
Culture & Cocktails 2025 has been made possible by the generous support of the James and Mary Schurz Foundation. Tickets are $20 members/$30 non-members. Please register at the link.
Please note: Weather depending, there is a possibility this event will be held outside in the Miller House Garden.

One Vast Hospital – Civil War Walking Tour in Downtown Frederick
2025-07-12 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-07-13 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-07-19 10:30, 2025-07-20 14:00, 2025-07-26 10:30, 2025-07-27 14:00, 2025-08-02 10:30, 2025-08-03 14:00 and 2 more dates | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Saturdays and Sundays from April through September
Walk in the footsteps of doctors, nurses, soldiers and civilians who cared for 8,000 wounded soldiers in Downtown Frederick.
Join NMCWM docents for a walking tour of Downtown Frederick focused on the city’s role as a makeshift hospital in the final months of 1862 every Saturday (10:30 a.m.) and Sunday (2:00 p.m.) from April through September.
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.
In September 1862, a newspaper correspondent from the Philadelphia Inquirer referred to Frederick as “one vast hospital.” In the aftermath of America’s bloodiest day at Antietam on September 17, 1862, over 8,000 wounded soldiers, Union and Confederate, were brought to make-shift hospital wards in Frederick’s churches, schools, hotels, and private homes. From the diaries and letters of the surgeons, soldiers, and civilians who were there, this guided walking tour will explore the locations of the city’s Civil War hospitals in churches, schools, and public buildings. Many of those same buildings still make up the historic district today.

Summer Lecture Series: The Texas Brigade at Antietam – Dr. Brad Gottfried
2025-07-14 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
The storied Texas Brigade had already gained fame as a result of its actions at Elthan’s Landing, Gaines’ Mill, and Second Manassas, but it became legendary as a result of its fight at Antietam. This presentation covers the brigade’s actions before, during, and after the battle, using first hand accounts and maps to describe its actions in the blood-soaked Cornfield. Join the Antietam Institute on July 14 for “The Texas Brigade at Antietam” presented by Dr. Brad Gottfried.
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 his most recent, The Maps of Second Bull Run.
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 2025 schedule.
These indoors 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 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.

Summer Lecture Series: “Little-Known Antietam: Henry Winters and Murder at the Lodge” – Tom McMillan
2025-07-21 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
On July 21, author Tom McMillan will present – “Little-Know Antietam: Henry Winters and ‘Mystery and Murder at the Lodge.‘” Tom will take a look at two of the intriguing but lesser-known stories at Antietam. Henry Winters of the 89th New York Infantry carved his name on a windowsill at the Dunker Church — a piece of Civil War graffiti that still is visible to visitors today. But who was Henry? Why did he leave his mark? When did he come back? The second story involves two Antietam-related murder mysteries, one of which took place at the National Cemetery lodge, the other targeting a battlefield superintendent.
Tom McMillan has spent a lifetime in sports media and communications – including 25 years as VP of Communications of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL – but his heartfelt passion is history. The author of four books on American history, he has served on the board of trustees of Pittsburgh’s Heinz History Center, the board of directors of the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, the marketing committee of the Gettysburg Foundation, and as a docent at the Thomas Espy GAR Post in Carnegie, PA.. Tom and his wife, Colleen, are also volunteer ambassadors at Antietam. A former newspaper sports writer and radio talk-show host who has covered the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup Finals and the NCAA Final Four, he earned a journalism degree from Point Park University in Pittsburgh.
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 2025 schedule.
These indoors 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 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.

Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area: US 250th Convening
2025-07-23 13:30 - 15:30 | Carroll County Public Library – Mt. Airy Branch, 705 Ridge Ave, Mt Airy, Maryland, 21771
The Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (HCWHA) will be hosting another U.S. 250th Convening on Wednesday, July 23 from 1:30 – 3:30 pm at the Mt. Airy Branch, Carroll County Public Library (705 Ridge Ave, Mt Airy, MD 21771). The location is conveniently off of I-70 with plenty of free parking!
Join us for planning discussions and updates from Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties. Please come ready to share a brief update of plans for your organization or community. Learn more about the featured presentation below:
History Meets Hospitality: Building Strategic Alliances with DMOs
Heritage tourism strategist Heidi Schlag will share how history museums can partner more effectively with Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) to boost visibility, attract new audiences, and become part of the visitor economy. Learn how to speak the language of tourism and tap into the promotional power of your local and regional travel networks.
Please register at the link: https://events.humanitix.com/hcwha-250th-convening-dlk6bpby

Maryland 250 Cookbook Author – Cooking Maryland’s Way: Voices of a Diverse Cuisine
2025-07-24 17:00 | Exploration Commons, Westminster Branch of Carroll County Public Library, 50 East Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Join food historian, author, and historical faux food artist Joyce White in the Teaching Kitchen for an informative evening reflecting on the chief cultural influences of Maryland’s early foundational cuisine. Joyce will share her research on both foods and their methods of preparation as she demos traditional recipes for Hominy Patties and Beaten Biscuits.
NOTE: Seating is limited to 36 participants.
Ticket $40, includes author talk, signed copy of Cooking Maryland’s Way: Voices of a Diverse Cuisine, and recipe demonstration. Please register at the link.

History Fest 2025
2025-07-26 11:00 | Historical Society of Carroll County, 210 E. Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
The Historical Society of Carroll County is excited to bring back History Fest again this year. Join them on Saturday, July 26th at the Society where they will have many exhibitors and fun activities. You will be able to dunk King George, they will have Pat Martin’s delicious food, kids’ games, and The Cow will once again be providing ice cream. HSCC will also have representatives from many of the historical societies and sites in Carroll County, an antique fire engine from the Westminster Fire Department, as well as a cake walk. If you would like to donate a cake, please let us know.
This is a FREE event. However, the food, drinks, and dunking of King George will have a small fee. For more information or if you would like to be represented at the event, please contact Laura Bankard, Outreach & Events Director at lbankard@hsccmd.org or 410.848.6494 ext. 200.

Rural History Day - Early Church Seating and Worship Customs in the United Brethren Church
2025-07-26 12:00 | Washington County Rural Heritage Museum, 7313 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD, 21713, United States
Are you curious about a little known church tradition, rooted deep in Maryland among some branches of Christianity (and others) but rarely practiced in its most conservative format? Find out by joining us on Saturday July 26th!
The Mount Tabor United Brethren Church was built in 1853 north of Huyetts Crossroads in Washington County, Maryland. It is representative of many country churches that dot the Washington County, Maryland landscape. Prior to it being donated to the Friends of the Washington County Rural Heritage Museum and moved to their Village at the Washington County Ag Education Center, it was listed on the Maryland Historic Sites Inventory.
Volunteers have worked over this past year to build a low dividing wall in the church. As was common for the Brethren and the Mennonites, women and men entered this church through separate front doors. In this building, they were also seated separately for worship, with a low wall dividing the interior into men’s and women’s spaces.
You are invited to attend this special Rural History Day celebration and learn more about what it took to save this piece of county church history.
12:00pm – 12:45pm Special Worship Service in the Mount Tabor Church located in the Rural Heritage Village, pastor Steve Wagoner(retired) will lead the service.
1:00pm – 1:30pm Photo journey and history of the church to be presented by the David Resh family who were instrumental in saving the church and relocating it to its permanent home at the Rural Heritage Village.

Reimagining War’s Reality: A Consideration of Photographs of Antietam’s Dead
2025-07-26 15:00 | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Saturday Speaker Series: Dr. James Broomall
Historian and Professor Jim Broomall will take a new look at the famous images of dead soldiers on the Antietam battlefield. The standard tale is that Americans were shocked by these photographs and their stark depiction of war. But Dr. Broomall will look at other types of contemporary depictions such as lithographs, to reconsider this assessment.
Did the photographs of the Antietam dead truly “bring home” the “reality and earnestness of war”? The now-famous “New York Times” review, “Pictures of the Dead at Antietam,” is oft quoted and has become a lasting symbol of how Civil War-era Americans reacted to images of wartime dead. Professor Broomall will call this orthodoxy into question and challenge the audience to more fully consider the Antietam photographs’ varied meanings through a broader discussion of lithographs, postmortem images, and contemporary source materials. By so doing, we will together reimagine the reality of war.
The presentation is included with admission to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.

Civil War Style Church Service
2025-07-27 13:00 | 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 on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. Chaplain Edward “Scott” Sturdivant 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 chapel is located at 7817 Rocky Springs Road, Frederick, Maryland. 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 Kirk Callison or HRSC Trustee Maria Callison at (301) 874-4737 (Home); (240) 409-8361 (cell); or kmcallison@verizon.net

Summer Lecture Series: Organization of the Federal Artillery in the Civil War – Jim Rosebrock
2025-07-28 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
The Antietam Institute will wrap up the month’s talks on July 28 with battlefield guide and author, Jim Rosebrock presenting – Organization of the Federal Artillery in the Civil War. This talk will examine the role and evolution of the Federal light artillery organization, focusing on the Army of the Potomac. Led by innovators such as William Barry and Henry Hunt, this Army was where the artillery organizations and doctrine evolved, which would ultimately be used in some variations in every other Federal army in the war.
Jim will start with a look at the US. Army’s experience with light artillery leading up to the start of the Civil War, examine the four components of the artillery – men and organization, guns, ammunition and artillery horses, and explore the evolution of the artillery arm by looking at the two major schools of artillery organization: Dispersal and Concentration.
James Rosebrock is a retired Army officer and Department of Justice employee, with 45 years of leadership experience in the logistics, security and emergency management fields. Jim graduated from Niagara University in 1976 with a degree in Russian History. Jim served with the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces where he was awarded a master’s degree in National Resource Strategy. Jim was an instructor for Combined Arms and Services Staff School when he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He is a National Park Service certified battlefield guide at Antietam National Battlefield and served as Chief Guide from 2011 – 2018. He has two Civil War related blogs and is the author of the Artillery 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 2025 schedule.
These indoors 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 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.

Coffee with the Curator
2025-08-02 10:00 | Thurmont Historical Society, 11 N. Church Street, Thurmont, Maryland, 21788
Join the Thurmont Historical Society’s Curator, Dominic Curcio, for this special program open to both the membership and the general public. This program will highlight some of the artifacts not displayed in the Thurmont Historical Society’s latest exhibit: “From Thurmont to the Frontlines: A Community’s Call to Duty.”
Free coffee and donuts will be offered!
This event will be open to the membership for FREE from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
This event will be open to the General Public by donation. Click here to donate any amount to the Thurmont: https://thurmont-historical-society.square.site/
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Details:
– Location: 11 N. Church Street, Thurmont, MD, 21788
– Parking: Free on site. Extra parking next door.
– Time:
10am-12pm: Free to the membership
12-2pm: Open to the public by donation.

Corn Roast Festival
2025-08-02 11:00 | The Union Mills Homestead, 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, MD, 21158, United States
Each meal ticket includes a serving of fried chicken, applesauce, sliced tomatoes, roll and butter, iced tea or lemonade and all the roasted corn that you can eat! Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 children (12 & Under).
Corn is roasted in the husk served at your table.

The First Cut: A Railroad Accident, an Amputation, and a Firestorm in Congress
2025-08-02 15:00 | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Saturday Speaker Series! Popular history tells us that young Confederate James Hanger endured the first amputation of the Civil War in June 1861. But Historian Jon-Erik Gilot will explain that history discounts the tragic story of William Parker, a conductor on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad who lost both legs several days prior to Hanger, and who struggled for decades for recognition and compensation.
Jon-Erik Gilot is the Curator at the Captain Thomas Espy Grand Army of the Republic Post, Carnegie, Pa., and a contributing historian at Emerging Civil War. He works as a corporate archivist in Wheeling, West Virginia.
This presentation is free with museum admission.

Summer Lecture Series: The Fate of Antietam’s Wounded – Tracey McIntire
2025-08-04 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
Join the Antietam Institute on August 4 for Tracey McIntire’s presentation – The Fate of Antietam’s Wounded. Hear the little-known stories of some of the almost 8,000 soldiers wounded at Antietam who were sent to Frederick for treatment.
Tracey McIntire earned her BA in English at Rivier College in Nashua, NH. She is Lead Educator at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, site manager of the Pry House Field Hospital Museum, and an interpretive volunteer at Antietam National Battlefield. She is also an active Civil War living historian, where she portrays a woman soldier in various guises.
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 2025 schedule.
These indoors 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 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.

A Century of Memories with Melvin Hurwitz & Steve Bowersox
2025-08-05 13:00 | Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
The HSCC is so excited to be able to finally feature Mr. Melvin Hurwitz being interviewed by Steve Bowersox in a discussion for everyone! This will be a FREE event. They will have light refreshments which will include desserts and beverages (coffee, Coke, Diet Coke, Ginger Ale, and water). Please arrive early. The event will start promptly at 1 pm.
Mr. Hurwitz grew up in Westminster, MD to a family of local jewelry store owners. Melvin graduated from Westminster High School in 1942 and, like his other three brothers, joined the service during World War II. Mr. Hurwitz was a waist gunner and radio man on a B-17 that flew bombing missions over Europe.
More recently Melvin has become a bit of an international celebrity because he attended the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
He will celebrate his 100th birthday in March 2025. He will share stories of his life in Westminster and beyond.
Questions? Please contact Laura Bankard, Outreach & Events Director at lbankard@hsccmd.org or 410.848.6494 ext. 200.

Carroll 250 Speaker Series: Samuel Dewees and America’s Two Wars of Independence presented by James Engler, Sr.
2025-08-06 18:30 | Carroll County Public Library – North Carroll Branch, 2255 Hanover Pike, Hampstead, MD, 21074, United States
Few citizens of the early days of our republic recorded their experiences outside of pension applications; Samuel Dewees, a long-time resident of Carroll County, was an exception. During his lifetime, he published his autobiography of the events he witnessed, as a young drummer of the American Revolution, through running off to defend Baltimore as an older man in the War of 1812. In this presentation, we’ll explore some of the chief events of his lifetime that he claimed to have witnessed.
Presenter James F. Engler, Sr. is a long-time resident of Carroll County, a transplanted Washingtonian. He is a member of the Westminster Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, who joined in 2001 through his patriot ancestor, Joseph Ogle, who was raised in nearby Frederick County and served as a captain of Virginia State Militia in Ohio County, around modern-day West Virginia. He has served in a variety of roles in the SAR, including as president of both the Westminster Chapter and Maryland SAR, as well as Vice President General of SAR for the Mid-Atlantic District (Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware). Jim was instrumental in the planning and execution of the chapter’s patriot grave marking for Samuel Dewees, including doing the research on the patriot.
This program is part of the Carroll 250 Speaker Series celebrating the United States Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the 1776 United States Declaration of Independence.
NOTE: Seating is limited for this event and registration is required. Please click the link to visit the Carroll County Public Library programming page: https://ccpl.librarymarket.com/event/samuel-dewees
Questions? Please contact Laura Bankard, Outreach & Events Director, at lbankard@hsccmd.org or 410.848.6494 ext. 200.

Culture & Cocktails: Halfway African American Cemetery
2025-08-08 18:00 | Miller House Museum, 135 W Washington St, Hagerstown, MD, 21740, United States
Join the WCHS on Friday, August 8, 2025, as Dr. Emilie Amt and Elizabeth Paul present “Halfway African American Cemetery.”
Halfway MD African American Cemetery, founded in 1897, is the final resting place of nearly 400 African Americans from Washington County, including 13 veterans. Dr. Emilie Amt and Elizabeth Paul, from the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Friends of Halfway African American Cemetery, will provide exciting updates on the improvements, restoration efforts, and genealogical findings at Halfway African American Cemetery.
This month’s cocktail is the Mint Julep, a refreshing Civil War-era cocktail including bourbon, sugar, crushed ice, and fresh mint. Doors open at 5:30 PM and light hors d’oeuvres will be served!
Culture & Cocktails 2025 has been made possible by the generous support of the James and Mary Schurz Foundation. Please register at the link.
Cover photo courtesy of the Friends of Halfway African American Cemetery.

Frederick in the Civil War: A Bus Tour of the Historic City
2025-08-10 14:00 | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Step back in time aboard a vintage 1966 double-decker bus for a fascinating one-hour journey through Downtown Frederick, exploring the city’s critical role in the Civil War and the evolution of battlefield medicine.
Departing from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, this guided tour is led by a professional docent who will share gripping stories of local hospitals, heroic caregivers, and the medical innovations that emerged from wartime necessity. As you roll through historic streets and landmarks, you’ll gain insight into the challenges faced by doctors, nurses, and soldiers alike during one of the most pivotal periods in American history.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
– Explore Frederick’s Civil War history through a medical lens aboard a restored 1966 double-decker bus
– Hear expert narration from a professional museum docent
– Visit key sites where wounded soldiers were treated
– A unique educational experience in the heart of historic Frederick
– Every ticket includes admission to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine
DEPARTS FROM: The National Museum of Civil War Medicine
TICKET PRICE: $39 per person (includes admission to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine)
HOW TO BOOK: Spots are limited — join us for an unforgettable ride through the past — where history meets healing.

Summer Lecture Series: "Little Mac at the Front" – Steve Stotelmyer
2025-08-11 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
On August 11, battlefield guide and author, Steve Stotelmyer will discuss some of his latest research in his presentation – Little Mac at the Front. The accepted historical consensus of the Battle of Antietam portrays a sedentary McClellan at Antietam. The notion persists that, unlike his counterpart, Gen. Robert E. Lee, who visited several locations at the front during the battle, the allegedly timid and cowardly McClellan remained at his headquarters at the Pry House. Some authors would have their readers believe that Little Mac never led or observed from the front or was even on the battlefield when his army went into a major action. Using primary eyewitness accounts, Steve’s talk demonstrates conclusively that the accepted consensus does not reflect the historical record.
Steven R. Stotelmyer is a native of Hagerstown, Maryland. He first visited Antietam National Battlefield as a child and has been fascinated with it ever since. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Frostburg State College and a Master of Arts from Hood College in Frederick, MD. Before retirement, he was employed as a teacher, surveyor, and civil engineer. In 1989 Stotelmyer was a founding member of the Central Maryland Heritage League, a non-profit land trust which helped preserve some of the South Mountain Battlefield. During his tenure with CMHL he discovered significant information regarding the Battle of South Mountain and the Legend of Wise’s Well. This led to the publication of The Bivouacs of the Dead: The Story of Those Who Died at Antietam and South Mountain (Toomey Press, 1992). In 2019 Stotelmyer authored Too Useful To Sacrifice, Reconsidering George B. McClellan’s Generalship in the Maryland Campaign from South Mountain to Antietam (Savas Beatie, 2019). Recently Steve wrote From Frederick To Sharpsburg; People, Places, and Events of the Maryland Campaign before Antietam (Antietam Institute, 2023). Currently, Steve is a National Park Service Volunteer as well as a NPS Certified Antietam and South Mountain Battlefield Tour Guide.
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 2025 schedule.
These indoors 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 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.
