Heart of the Civil War

One Vast Hospital - Downtown Frederick Walking Tour
2026-08-08 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-08-09 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-08-15 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-08-16 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-08-22 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-08-23 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-08-29 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-08-30 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) and 5 more dates | 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.

“No Further Record” POWs of the 7th Michigan Infantry – Jack Dempsey
2026-08-10 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
Mauled in the West Woods during the II Corps’ ill-conceived assault by echelon, the 7th Michigan Infantry lost 221 out of 402 combatants. Some casualties are well-known, such as John A. Clark, whose grave Bill Frassinito identified, and Allen H. Zacharias, whose poignant note tears at the heart. What was the fate of those in that number who were captured or missing? Join author, editor, and historian Jack Dempsey as he delves into their story to reveal answers and to examine why the inquiry bears investigation during his talk on August 10.
Jack Dempsey has been a student of the Civil War since the Centennial. His name appears on 8 Civil War titles as author or editor, including the award-winning Michigan and the Civil War (2011), the most recognized single volume on that subject. Co-written with Brian James Egen, Michigan at Antietam (2015) was the pioneer study of the Wolverine State’s role in the Maryland Campaign of 1862. The two historians co-founded the Michigan Civil War Association in 2013 to advance understanding of Michigan’s role in the nation’s greatest crisis. Jack first visited Antietam in 1973 with two fellow congressional interns. He returned there with his new bride in 1975. In 2012, as chairperson of the Michigan Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, he was a part of the State’s commemoration of “Michigan Day at Antietam” at the invitation of the National Park Service. The MCWA is working with the NPS to erect a Michigan monument at the epicenter of the Antietam battlefield. Like the Institute, the MCWA publishes an annual monograph as part of a series of studies on the Civil War. The fifth will appear, as per custom, close to September 17th of this year. In addition to being an accomplished writer, he is a longtime contributor to the American Battlefield Trust. All proceeds from Jack’s Civil War writings, including his biography of Alpheus Starkey Williams, support the MCWA.
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.

Carroll 250 Speaker Series: 1876 The Centennial Celebration & America’s First World’s Fair
2026-08-13 18:30 | Historical Society of Carroll County, 210 E. Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
This talk, presented by Jim Shriver (HSCC Board of Trustees President), will cover how the USA celebrated the Centennial and the significance of a World’s Fair. Local and Maryland participants in the Philadelphia Exposition (The World’s Fair) will be included and local events held to commemorate 1876 will also be highlighted.

Carroll 250 Event: Katy: The Woman Who Signed the Declaration
2026-08-15 13:00 | Carroll County Public Library – Eldersburg Branch, 6400 Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg, Maryland, 21784
One woman, Mary Katharine Goddard, Katy to her family and friends, risked treason by signing her full name on the Declaration of Independence along with all the male signatories. Who was she, and why was she tasked with such an important job? Author Betty Bolte will share how she came to know Katy despite the absence of personal information. Find out more about Katy, the inspiring and respected woman who signed the Declaration of Independence. Ms. Bolte’s book, Katy: The Woman Who Signed the Declaration of Independence, will be available for sale and signing.
If you plan to attend, please register here.

Civil War Drumming: The Stirring Music That Inspired Civil War Soldiers
2026-08-15 14:00 | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Accomplished drummer Patrick Jones will discuss the role of drums and fifes in the military during the Civil War, as well as drum construction and makers. After exploring the various tasks musicians performed during the war, including helping with wounded removal, Patrick will play a number of stirring tunes used by the armies of both sides. He will also have original drums on hand to view.
Patrick Jones has been playing Civil War drums with various organizations since he was 13 years old. He gives frequent presentations on the topic and also creates museum-quality reproduction drums and their associated accouterments. When not drumming, he teaches 5th grade Social Studies and Science at the Upper St. Clair School district in Pittsburgh, Pa. Learn more about Patrick at rudimentsandrope.com

Battlefield Calculus: Tactics, Technology, and the Battle of Antietam – Steven Eden
2026-08-17 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
On August 17, author Steven Eden will present “Battlefield Calculus: Tactics, Technology, and the Battle of Antietam.” Using examples from Antietam, and describe the factors that caused a unit to withdraw or stop advancing. Surprisingly, it was rarely because of casualties. In fact, it was fairly uncommon for a regimental commander to lose control of his unit because of fear; it happened much more often in the wake of some tactical success. Unit commanders typically weighed several factors when deciding to hold or withdraw. These include honor, exposure, ammunition, available cover, loss ratio, and support, among others. The talk will cover this “battlefield calculus” and show how it helps to explain the tactics of the Civil War.
Steven Eden served in the Army for 25 years, including a tour in Afghanistan. During service Steve was assigned to West Point as an instructor in the History Department, where he taught Military History among other subjects, and led several staff rides for senior officers. After retirement, Steve was employed as an instructor for the Department of Defense at Fort Meade; his duties included presenting the Maryland Campaign of 1862 as a case study to field grade officers. Steven has led close to two dozen staff rides to Antietam as part of this instruction. His new book Crisis at Antietam: The Cornfield and West Woods and the Opening Rounds of the Civil War’s Bloodiest Battle, September 17, 1862, published by Savas Beatie is due to come out in 2026. Steve currently resides in Manchester, MD, with my wife Kathleen.
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.

Box Lunch Talk: Stories in Cloth: Using Genealogy to Stitch Together the Past Presented by Amy Hunt
2026-08-18 12:00 | Historical Society of Carroll County, 210 E. Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Amy will explore the use of genealogy to bring stories to light through cloth. Amy Hunt is the curator of The Museum of Frederick County History at Heritage Frederick. She has a degree in Art History from the University of Maryland at College Park and has 25 years of experience curating museum exhibitions. She is a monthly contributor to Frederick Magazine. Born and raised in Frederick County, Amy, her husband and her children have lived in Gettysburg, PA for the last 20 years. She enjoys genealogy, travel, reading and visiting cemeteries. 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.

Music on the Millrace: Hayden Shaw and This Side of Pleasant
2026-08-23 15:00 | The Union Mills Homestead, 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, MD, 21158, United States
Music on the Millrace offers a relaxed, inviting opportunity for members and friends to come out to enjoy the authentic beauty of the site, separate from our other major events.
This is a great time to enjoy an afternoon on the beautiful grounds of the Union Mills Homestead. Admission to the event is only $10. Under 12 are free! Food, beer and wine will be available to purchase. Please bring a chair or blanket to sit on. No outside alcohol may be brought into the event. Because we have to inspect any containers to ensure there is no alcohol, please refrain from bringing backpacks or coolers, although you are welcome to bring your own snacks.
Hayden Shaw and This Side of Pleasant
Hailing from right down the road, Hayden Shaw and his band This Side of Pleasant (as in Pleasant Valley) is thrilled to be back for another great day of Bluegrass! Hayden Shaw & This Side of Pleasant is a high-energy Bluegrass group comprised of some of Hayden’s best friends in Bluegrass. Last March they broke the attendance record for a Wehrly’s Auction House “Pickin’ and Biddin’” show. Hayden pulls from a wide array of influences and music genres to bring a fun and exciting bluegrass show that you won’t want to miss!

“Make me a Map” The Creation of the Artillery Atlas of Antietam – Aaron Holly & Jim Rosebrock
2026-08-24 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
Captain Albert Monroe who commanded a Federal battery at Antietam believed that “the value of the light artillery in the army as a factor in the suppression of the Rebellion, has never been accorded that credit to which it is entitled.” James Rosebrock and Aaron Holley have partnered to set the record straight by creating a visual record of the employment of artillery in the Maryland Campaign. The Artillery Atlas of Antietam explores the contribution of the artillery in the Maryland Campaign and presents new insights through the lens of topography, geography, and the words of those who made history. Join the Antietam Institute on August 24, to meet authors, Aaron Holley and James Rosebrock during their talk, “Make me a Map”: The Creation of the Artillery Atlas of Antietam.
Aaron Holley is a native West Virginian and lifelong Civil War enthusiast. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Forestry in 2013 followed by a Master of Science in Forestry with an emphasis in forest biometrics in 2015, both from West Virginia University. Upon graduation, Aaron entered the field of forest conservation consulting, working in forest ecosystems both domestically and internationally. His education and work experience introduced him to the concept of modern mapping and geospatial analysis, which led him to extensively map the Antietam battlefield beginning in 2019. The result of this mapping process was published both as a wall map and as a GPS-enabled digital map. In 2024, Aaron was invited to become a member of the board of directors for the Antietam Institute, where he assists with all things cartography. He has produced maps for several publications related to Antietam, including An Ornament to His Country, Roads to Antietam, The Artillery of Antietam and The Antietam Journal and is a co-author of the upcoming The Artillery Atlas of Antietam. Aaron lives in Fisher, Hardy County, West Virginia with his wife, daughter, and son.
Born in Buffalo New York, Jim received his undergraduate history degree in Russian history from Niagara University in 1976. He was commissioned in the US Army that year and held command and staff positions for nine years from 1976 to 1985 in the United States and Germany. His final assignment on active duty was with the 82nd Airborne Division, where he deployed to Grenada in 1983 with the division staff as part of Operation Urgent Fury. He graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University in 2002 where he was awarded a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy. As an Army Reserve officer, Jim’s final assignment was as an instructor for the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He retired in 2004 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Jim worked at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for 30 years, serving as Chief of the Security and Emergency Programs Division and subsequently as the Department of Justice’s liaison to FEMA during major disasters. He has served as a National Park Service volunteer since 2007 and is a certified battlefield guide at Antietam National Battlefield. He led the guide service from 2011-2018 and is a co-founder of the Antietam Institute, where he currently serves as the Institute’s president. Jim completed his first book The Artillery of Antietam in 2023 and is currently working on an artillery atlas of the Maryland Campaign, scheduled for release in 2026. He lives with his family in Jefferson, Maryland.
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.

The Battle of Henry House Hill at 1st Bull Run
2026-08-29 10:00 | Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center Street, Westminster, MD, 21157
Aug. 29th, Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM and Aug. 30th, Sunday 10 AM-3 PM
Battle reenactments will be Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 P.M.
The Battle of Henry House Hill at 1st Bull Run
The battle scenario will depict one of the climatic engagements of the 1st Battle of Bull Run/Manassas in 1861 where Stonewall Jackson earned his famous nickname by standing like a “stone wall.” The battle will feature the color and confusion of early Civil war units as both sides learn how to be soldiers while under fire for the first time.
Throughout the day Reenactors in full costume will demonstrate infantry drilling, artillery firing and camp life. Please note that the Camp will close at 2 PM on Sunday. Food is available for purchase at the event.
Admission: $10 per family, $5 per adult, $4 per senior (60 & over) FREE Parking.

A Farmer, a Physician, and a General: Henry Rohrbach, Nathan Mayer, and Isaac P. Rodman – John Schildt
2026-08-31 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
The Antietam Institute will wrap up their Summer Lecture Series on August 31, with esteemed local historian John Schildt presenting “A Farmer, a Physician, and a General: Henry Rohrbach, Nathan Mayer, and Isaac P. Rodman.” Although not on the battlefield proper, the Henry Rohrbach farm sat just east of the Lower Bridge and would serve as a staging area for the Federal forces, a headquarters, and a hospital on September 17, 1862. A farmer, Henry Rohrbach; a surgeon, Dr. Nathan Mayer; and a soldier, General Isaac P. Rodman, would share the trauma of war at the house and barn of the Rohrbach farmstead.
Reverend John Schildt graduated from Shepherd College, Wesley Theological Seminary and has studied at Western Maryland College, Gettysburg Seminary and West Virginia University. John’s first book, September Echoes, published in 1960, was the first on Antietam since Francis Palfrey in 1887. This led to an appointment to the Maryland Centennial Committee. He wrote the account of the battle for the Official Centennial Program and was the guest speaker for the 125h anniversary. John has been a lecturer and guide for several Civil War organizations, Round Tables, and many other groups. John led his first tour of Antietam in 1958. Since then, 2,000 additional tours have followed. John has written over thirty-five books relating the various aspects of the Maryland Campaign of 1862 and local history. This list includes Drums along the Antietam, Roads to Antietam, Four Days in October, Islands of Mercy, and Roads to Gettysburg. He and his wife and daughter live in Sharpsburg.
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, 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.

Artillery Day
2026-09-05 10:00 | Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center, 5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
Once again, the “King of Battle”, the artillery, will shake the ground of Monocacy National Battlefield! Demonstrations with different types of cannons will occur throughout the day with rangers and volunteers providing an understanding of light field artillery and its use on the battlefield landscape. Remember to cover your ears!

Troops through Time (Living History Event)
2026-09-05 10:00 | Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center, 5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
Join in celebrating America’s 250th with a weekend of living history. Reenactors from 1775 through WWII and beyond will be on site to demonstrate the life of a soldier in some of our most notable struggles to preserve freedom. Camps open to public from 10-4. Events include living history demonstrations, Civil War Field Music performances and Civil War Artillery demonstrations. Guest Speakers will give talks on a variety of military topics throughout the day.

Tolson's Chapel Open House
2026-09-05 10:00 | Tolson’s Chapel, 111 E. High St., Sharpsburg, MD, 21782
Open House 1oam – 2pm.
Tolson’s Chapel is open the first Saturday of every month between April and October. Onsite docent(s) 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.

"Ancestors at Antietam" - William Campbell, 34th NY and Bennett Livingston, 13th NJ
2026-09-05 14:00 | Antietam Institute Education Center, 101 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782
Join the Antietam Institute on September 5 as Institute member Cindy Cohrs-Brandt explores the battlefield experiences of two Union regiments at Antietam: the veteran 34th New York and the newly raised 13th New Jersey. Shaped by prior combat in the Peninsular Campaign, the 34th New York entered the battle as seasoned soldiers, while the 13th New Jersey faced its first engagement only weeks after mustering in. Each regiment confronted its own distinct challenges on the field at Antietam. Cindy’s ancestor presentation is called, Discovering my Antietam roots: William Campbell, 34th New York and Bennett Livingston, 13th New Jersey.
A native of New Jersey, Cindy’s interest in the Civil War began in childhood when she walked Pickett’s Charge with her father. That experience left a lasting impression and sparked a fascination that grew into a lifelong passion for Civil War history.
Cindy holds a BA in American History from Drew University, a Master’s in Library Science from Emory University, and a Master’s in Teaching from Montclair State University. After working as a corporate librarian, she now serves as a school librarian, where she enjoys sharing her love of history and research with her students.
Through her interest in genealogy, Cindy discovered two Civil War ancestors—one from each side of her family—deepening her personal connection to the conflict. Antietam is her favorite battlefield, where both ancestors fought in close proximity, and visiting all the battlefields where they served remains a lifelong goal.

Elevated Architecture Double Decker Bus Tour
2026-09-13 14:00 | 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

Uncovering Civil War Resources in the Western Maryland Room: Authors Share Their Insights
2026-09-13 14:00 | Washington County Free Library, 100 South Potomac St., Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740
Three authors who used Western Maryland Room (WMR) resources to write about the Civil War as it affected the citizens of Washington County will discuss their research and writing methods in a panel discussion format, and talk about why the WMR’s resources are so valuable for historians, writers, and genealogists. The authors are Emilie Amt (Black Antietam), Mark Brugh (Ghosts of Antietam), and Steven Stotelmyer (The Bivouacs of the Dead). Part of America’s 250th Celebration, and in commemoration of the 164th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam in Sharpsburg, Maryland.

Alexandria’s Civil War Prisons: Confinement and Justice During Union Occupation
2026-09-19 14:00 | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
During the Civil War, Alexandria was home to five military prisons. Speaker Madeline Fierstein will examine what life was like in these institutions for both Confederate and Union prisoners and how this disrupted the daily lives of Alexandria residents. Learn about the medical treatment of jailed soldiers and prisoners of war at hospitals like the confiscated Lee-Fendall House. You will hear first-hand accounts from those who experienced imprisonment within the city limits, from the earliest days of battle to the beginning of Reconstruction.
Madeline Fierstein is a historian of American history based in Alexandria, Va. She is the founder of “Rooted in Place”, LLC, which focuses on psychiatric institutions, military hospitals, and prisons. Madeline has developed popular guided tours in Alexandria and Washington, D.C. She leads significant projects documenting the soldiers who were treated in Alexandria’s wartime hospitals. Visit her website for past research and upcoming tours at www.madelinefeierstein.com
