Heart of the Civil War

Carroll 250: Patriots Buried in Carroll County Cemeteries
2026-04-20 18:30 (America/New_York) | Exploration Commons, Westminster Branch of Carroll County Public Library, 50 East Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Presenters: James Engler and John Laycock, members of the Westminster Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution
Description: There are an estimated 60 Revolutionary War patriots buried in Carroll County across several cemeteries. Many of these are known, but many more are likely lost to history. It is important to remember our patriot ancestors. This talk will provide an overview of family cemeteries, church cemeteries, and town cemeteries located in the county and discuss patriots buried there.
Registration is required for this event. Please register at the link.

Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Sons of the American Revolution Speaker Series
2026-04-19 15:00 | C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E Patrick Street, Frederick, MD, 21701
Presented by Dr. John George
Of all the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, only one was Roman Catholic, and among the wealthiest men in colonial America. He was Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Frederick County’s own Signer.
This presentation describes Carroll’s Irish roots, the early Maryland settlement, his European education, and his many reasons for supporting Maryland’s independence from British rule. Carroll’s legacy includes contributions to the Bill of Rights, transportation, agriculture, and commerce. Also Included are the interesting roles of his descendants.
Location: C. Burr Artz Library, Programming Room

Revolutionary Times in Burkittsville
2026-04-19 14:00 | Zion Lutheran Church, 107 West Main Street, Middletown, MD, 21769
The historic village of Burkittsville was founded on a crossroads that has linked it to the broader story of the United States for over 250 years. As our country marks its Semiquincentennial anniversary in 2026, South Mountain Heritage Society (SMHS) is opening a special exhibition exploring the role Burkittsville and the surrounding communities of the lower Middletown Valley have played throughout the 18th and 19th centuries in our nation’s founding.
Jody Brumage is an active Frederick County public historian and current Archivist and Museum Manager for Heritage Frederick and President, Historian and Curator of SMHS. Jody will provide an overview of the SMHS exhibit and share some of the unique stories and artifacts of Revolutionary times in the Burkittsville area.

One Vast Hospital - Downtown Frederick Walking Tour
2026-04-19 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-04-18 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-04-12 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-04-11 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-04-04 10:30 - 11:00 | 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.

Junior Ranger Day
2026-04-19 10:00 | Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center, 5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
Join National Park Service rangers and living history volunteers for Junior Ranger Day! Guests will be encouraged to do participate in the Monocacy National Battlefield Junior Ranger program, earning their Junior Ranger badge if they complete at least five activities. In addition, guests are invited to “enlist” with Monocacy National Battlefield living history volunteers who will be teaching both infantry and artillery drills to anyone who would like to take part. How did soldiers move and fight on Monocacy National Battlefield? How long did it take to load a cannon? You will find out with this fun, hands on activity.

Members Only: Learning to Look
2026-04-18 14:00 | The Union Mills Homestead, 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, MD, 21158, United States
You can get your hands on one-of-a-kind objects at the Union Mills Homestead’s very first Members Only program!
Learning to look is a unique workshop where the Union Mills Homestead’s Executive Director will personally walk you through how to handle and examine original pieces from their collections. Unlock exceptional stories of the people who lived at the Homestead in centuries past and take home new skills with a suggested donation of $10.
Reserve your spot by emailing at: info@unionmills.org
You can become a member today through the Union Mills Homestead’s website: https://unionmills.org/membership/

A Heart Touched By Fire: Union Nurse Cornelia Hancock’s Civil War
2026-04-18 14:00 | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
In 1863, Cornelia Hancock, a 23-year-old Quaker girl, wrote “After my only brother and every other male relative and friend that we possessed had gone to War, I deliberately came to the conclusion that I, too, would go and serve my country.” Two days after the great Battle of Gettysburg she was the first woman to reach the Union Army of the Potomac’s 2nd Corps Hospital. Hancock served as a nurse for the remainder of the war. Well known during the war, she is little remembered today. Author Carolyn Ivanoff will tell Hancock’s story through her own words and annotated letters. This program highlights the events and tragedies of Civil War from a woman’s point of view.
Carolyn Ivanoff is a retired high school administrator and independent historian. She has won several awards for her historical work and presentations. Previous to her new book on Cornelia Hancock, Ivanoff authored “We Fought at Gettysburg,” which features first-hand accounts by the survivors of the 17th Connecticut Infantry and their experiences on the greatest battlefield of the Civil War.

Carroll 250 Speaker Series: The Memory of Landscapes: A study of four historic National Parks within an hour’s drive of Carroll County
2026-04-15 18:30 | Taneytown Branch of Carroll County Public Library, 10 Grand Drive, Taneytown, MD, 21787
Join presenter Winona R. Peterson, retired NPS Cultural Resource Program Manager, for this fun informative talk.
All landscapes have stories to tell; even the ones we interact with daily. This program will present compelling layers of history found at selected historic national park sites within an easy drive of Carroll County. We will explore the importance of nationally significant landscapes and the complexities of managing resources that have more than one significant story to share with the visiting public. The discussion will focus on how the National Park Service studies and manages these cultural landscapes. We will be visiting Hampton National Historic Site, Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site.
Winona R. Peterson graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a BS in Recreation and Parks. She began and ended her 41-year career with the National Park Service at Gettysburg National Military Park. In between, she worked at Everglades National Park, Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Hampton National Historic Site and Eisenhower National Historic Site. She was an interpretive park ranger, an administrative clerk, a chief ranger, historian and a cultural resource specialist. During the last 5 years of her career, she was the historian responsible for assessments completed at eight historic parks in the northeast region. Mrs. Peterson recently became a member of the Preservation Maryland Board of Directors, an organization that has been at the forefront of historic preservation in Maryland for 90 plus years. She lives on a 90-acre farm in Carroll County with her husband Steve.
Registration is now open and is required.

Music of the Regiment
2026-04-12 14:00 | Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ (ERUCC), 15 W. Church St., Frederick, MD, 21701
Join Music of the Regiment for this FREE exploration of the classical and military music traditions of the late 18th and early 19th centuries! Founded in 2023, this group of musicians and educators presents the music of the past in as near a format as possible, performed on instruments appropriate to the time period. New in April 2026, join them for “Equal to any Band in this Country…,” a historically immersive program combining dramatic readings with marches and opera arrangements that formed the soundtrack of the French, American, and British forces as they converged on Yorktown in 1781. The concert will begin at 3:00 in the main sanctuary of Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ (ERUCC). Join at 2:30 for a short preconcert talk before the main show!

Carroll 250: Midwives to the Revolution - Maryland Women in the Early American Printing Industry
2026-04-11 13:00 | Carroll County Public Library – Eldersburg Branch, 6400 Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg, Maryland, 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 for this event. Please register at the link.

Emmitsburg: From Way Back When to Now
2026-04-11 12:00 | National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 339 S Seton Ave, Emmitsburg, MD, 21727
Join the Daughters of Charity Provincial Archives for their special exhibit on the history of Emmitsburg, the town they have called home since Mother Seton’s arrival in 1809! From its humble founding in 1785 through the Civil War, the founding of Mount St. Mary’s and St. Joseph Colleges, the rise and fall of the railroad, and its place of distinction among America’s firefighters, Emmitsburg has a story far larger than its small size. Opening Saturday April 11, 2026 through the holiday season 2027.

Living History at the Museum
2026-04-11 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 Confederate 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.

History: Shaken & Stirred - Untold Stories of Roads in Carroll County
2026-04-09 18:00 | Covalent Spirits, 118 E. Main Street, Westminster, Maryland, 21157
Stop in for a drink at Covalent Spirits Westminster on April 9th 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 Roads 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.
Covalent Spirits is located at 118 E Main St, Westminster, MD 21157 in the 1920s building that served as the City Garage. More information can be found here: https://covalentspirits.com/home
Please contact Laura Bankard, Outreach & Events Director at lbankard@hsccmd.org or 410.848.6494 ext. 200 with any questions.

“Ancestors at Antietam” - “Rediscovering William” Lt. William Alden Horton and the 16th Connecticut at Antietam“
2026-04-04 14:00 | Antietam Institute Education Center, 101 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782
The Antietam Institute’s First Saturday programs are back, and this year’s theme is “Ancestors at Antietam.” They’ve invited several Institute members who had ancestors who fought at Antietam, or have unique connections with Sharpsburg, to tell us a little about their ancestor and/or their experiences. Join on April 4, to hear Laurie Buckler Mack share the story of her ancestor called, “Rediscovering William” Lt. William Alden Horton and the 16th Connecticut at Antietam.”
Laurie is a native of Maryland and lived in the Boston area before moving back to Maryland and settling in Annapolis. Laurie has a BA in English and AA in Veterinary Technology and has enjoyed a second career as a RVT at a Veterinary Surgical Referral practice for the last 25 years. She grew up in the suburbs of Washington DC surrounded by references to the American Civil War: Attending Walt Whitman High School, learning to drive on the Clara Barton Parkway and taking endless trips across the Potomac River on the Jubal Early at White’s Ferry are just a few. Her father Don was a huge history buff and loved to talk about family history, reminding Laurie that she had an ancestor who was killed at Antietam. Laurie was finally able to visit Antietam during Covid in August of 2020, sparking an interest in the Maryland Campaign, Lt. William Alden Horton, and the 16th Connecticut. Laurie is currently a member of the Jamestowne Society, the Maryland Mayflower Society, Society of New England Women, Daughters of the American Revolution, National Society United States Daughters of 1812, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Hobbies include fulfilling Find-a-Grave requests, exploring historical sites, and reading.
These monthly 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.

Hooves, Paws, and Claws for the Cause: Animals in the U.S. Civil War
2026-03-28 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 a special Saturday Speaker Event with NMCWM author and volunteer Brad Stone who will be discussing his new book “Hooves, Paws, and Claws for the Cause: Animals in the U.S. Civil War.” Dogs, cats, horses, pigs, camels, bears, badgers, bald eagles, silk worms, and many other creatures played important roles during the American Civil War. “Hooves, Paws, and Claws for the Cause: Animals in the U.S. Civil War” tells the stories of these remarkable animals and the many ways they helped the soldiers and sailors they served with during the war. Stone will share some of his favorite stories from the book. A book signing will follow.

Shipwreck on the Potomac: Disaster in Pursuit of Lincoln’s Killer
2026-03-21 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 author Karen Stone. While helping catch President Abraham Lincoln’s killers, the barge “Black Diamond” was rammed and sank in the Potomac River, killing 87 men. In this talk, Stone will unfold the story of this heroic pursuit that turned tragic.
Karen Stone has been the Museum Division Manager for St. Mary’s County, Md., where this event took place, since 2017. A Lincoln fan and student of his assassination since childhood, she was fascinated when she first heard about this story and its connection to Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth. She is the author of “Shipwreck on the Potomac: Disaster in Pursuit of Lincoln’s Killer.”

Maryland, My Maryland
2026-03-21 10:00 | Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center, 5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
Join Living History Volunteers at Monocacy National Battlefield as they discuss the perilous position of Maryland in the Civil War. Marylanders fought on both sides of the Civil War and even occasionally fought each other! Learn about the clashes between Marylanders in blue and gray during the Monocacy Campaign, their fights and their relation to the parts of the state they fought in.

Frederick County Civil War Roundtable Meeting and Presentation
2026-03-19 19:00 | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Jim Rada will present “Battlefield Angels: The Daughters of Charity.”
When the Civil War broke out, the Union and the Confederacy were prepared to fight, but they weren’t prepared to care for the wounded that their fighting created. While many people volunteered to care for the soldiers, the only ones with any experience were Catholics sisters. Among the sisters, the most-experienced were the Daughters of Charity based in Emmitsburg, MD. When war broke out, they had already been caring for the sick for decades. However, the brutality of the war would test even their abilities as they ran hospitals, served on troop transports and provided care in battlefield hospitals and ambulances. They even had their own Central House occupied by armies from both sides of the war.
The Daughters of Charity had such a high level of trust among the government officials that they were allowed in the early part of the war to move back and forth across the border between the two warring countries. Nor did they betray that trust as they served officers and soldiers, Union and Confederate, with the same level of care. With their wide, white cornettes looking almost like wings, the Daughters of Charity did resemble battlefield angels. The sight of those wing-like cornettes told soldiers that relief was on the way; someone who cared for them was coming.
This presentation is free for members and a $5 suggested fee for non-members.

The American Experiment: American Ideals Through the Lens of the U. S. Military
2026-03-19 19:00 | Hood College, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD, 21701
Hood Alumni Dr. Youssef Aboul-Enein is a 9/11 Pentagon survivor who spent 28 years on active duty, retiring as a US Navy Commander. Youssef spent the bulk of his career combating terrorism and he served as Director for North Africa and Egypt and as Assistant Director for Arabian Gulf Affairs for the late Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He retired from active duty at the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2022. Youssef authored and coauthored seven books on the Mid East, extremist ideology, and radicalization. He will be talking about his books and the importance of America’s unique experiment in liberty in his effort to understand why other countries struggle with managing alienation with a segment of its population. He will also discuss his experiences in advising policymakers in finding the right balance between civil liberties and public safety.
This presentation will take place in the Beneficial-Hodson Library and Learning Commons, 2nd floor.

Carroll 250 Speaker Series: Accidental Citizen: Major General von Steuben and the American Revolution
2026-03-19 18:30 | Eldersburg Branch of Carroll County Public Library, 6400 Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg, MD, 21784
Join U.S. Army Historian Joseph Seymour for this presentation on Friederich Wilhelm von Steuben, who proved to be among the more unlikely American revolutionaries. Rising through the ranks of the army of Frederick the Great, von Steuben found himself in the service of a much different army, in a much different setting—the Continental Army’s encampment at Valley Forge. Serving as a volunteer without pay or formal rank, von Steuben took to the task of drilling George Washington’s army. His efforts paid off, and in June 1778, a newly reorganized and thoroughly drilled Continental Army marched out of Valley Forge. During the war, von Steuben learned to appreciate the unique culture of the American soldier and earned the respect of privates and general officers alike. Von Steuben’s career in the Continental Army mirrored that of so many Continental Army veterans. He performed inestimable service to his adopted country, but in his lifetime achieved neither great fame nor material wealth. As the decades passed, successive generations of Americans, many of whom, like von Steuben, were new arrivals from Germany, came to recognize the old drillmaster for his service in the founding of the country. They took pride in his achievements and elevated him as a symbol of the contributions of German immigrants to the establishment of the United States. This presentation will trace his journey from a military adventurer to an American military icon.
About the Presenter: Joseph Seymour has worked as a U.S. Army historian since 2004 and presents regularly on this topic. His professional focus has been on organizational history, the history, and culture of the American soldier in the 18th century, and the evolution of small arms and tactics during that era. Representative works include The Pennsylvania Associators, 1747-1777 (Westholme Publishing, 2012), “Light the Match Load Away: The Ordnance and Organizational Structure of the Philadelphia Artillery, 1747 – 1777,” American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin (May – June 2006), and “A Chart Showing the Results of a 1779 Woolwich Ballistic Test,” Military Collector & Historian (Winter 2013). He works at the U.S. Army Center of Military History at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, DC.

Curious Iguana Presents: Bestselling Author Erik Larson
2026-03-18 18:30 | Downtown Community Room at ERUCC, 15 W Church St, Frederick, MD, 21701
We are excited to welcome New York Times bestselling author Erik Larson to Frederick on Wednesday, March 18, from 6:30-7:30 pm at the Downtown Community Room at ERUCC in Downtown Frederick. Erik will be discussing his bestseller, The Demon of Unrest. Following his talk, Erik will answer questions and sign books. Copies of The Demon of Unrest and additional backlist titles will be available for purchase at the event.
Tickets are required for this event and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/erik-larson-the-demon-of-unrest-tickets-1978477572679?aff=oddtdtcreator
There are 2 ticket options, each including a paperback copy of The Demon of Unrest with admission. Books purchased as part of a ticketed bundle and books purchased at events are non-returnable.
For accessibility requests, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event.
About the book: #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The author of The Splendid and the Vile offers a gripping account of the run-up to the Civil War in this “riveting reexamination of a nation in tumult” (Los Angeles Times).
“This is Erik Larson at his best . . . an irresistible thriller.”—The Wall Street Journal
Master storyteller Erik Larson brings to life the pivotal five months between Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860 and the Confederacy’s shelling of Fort Sumter—a period marked by tragic errors and miscommunications, enflamed egos and craven ambitions, personal tragedies and betrayals. At the heart of this suspense-filled narrative are Major Robert Anderson, Sumter’s commander and a former slave owner sympathetic to the South but loyal to the Union; Edmund Ruffin, a vain and bloodthirsty radical who stirs secessionist ardor at every opportunity; and Mary Boykin Chesnut, wife of a prominent planter, conflicted over both marriage and slavery and seeing parallels between both. In the middle of it all is the overwhelmed Lincoln, battling with his duplicitous Secretary of State, William Seward, as he tries desperately to avert a war that he fears is inevitable—one that will eventually kill 750,000 Americans.
Drawing on diaries, secret communiques, slave ledgers, and plantation records, Larson gives us a political horror story that captures the forces that led America to the brink—a dark reminder that we often don’t see a cataclysm coming until it’s too late.
About the author: Erik Larson is the author of six New York Times bestsellers, including The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz, which examines how Winston Churchill and his “Secret Circle” went about surviving the German air campaign of 1940-41. Larson’s The Devil in the White City is set to be a Hulu limited series; his In the Garden of Beasts is under option by Tom Hanks for a feature film. He recently published an audio-original ghost story, No One Goes Alone, which has been optioned by Chernin Entertainment, in association with Netflix. His Thunderstruck has been optioned by Sony Pictures Television for a limited TV series. Larson lives in Manhattan with his wife, who is a writer and retired neonatologist; they have three grown daughters.

Box Lunch Talk: Springfields Iron & Copper Mining Legacy Presented by Johnny Johnsson
2026-03-17 12:00 | Historical Society of Carroll County – Shriver-Weybright Auditorium, 210 East Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157
George Patterson’s “Springfield Estate” (where ACTS-Fairhaven formerly Integrace/EMA is located) once hosted significant 19th-Century iron and copper mines. Initially, iron ore was mined to supply the Elba Furnace in Sykesville. Then rich copper ore was discovered and the mines prospered for a time during the 1850s & 60s. We will recount some details of the history of these interesting mines through maps, photos, text, & discussion.
Johnny Johnsson received his B.S. in mining engineering from Virginia Tech in 1985. He later acquired his Professional Engineer’s License and earned his M.B.A. at the University of Baltimore. He is responsible for environmental permitting and compliance in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware for Vulcan Materials, a major aggregates and concrete manufacturer. Mineral collecting as a youngster led to his career and to an interest in mining history, particularly the mining and manufacture of chromium, copper, and iron related to Maryland’s Tyson family. Johnny serves as a Volunteer Ranger at the Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area, a serpentine barren near Reisterstown with historic chrome mines, one of several locations where he conducts interpretive mining history hike programs. Johnny has published several papers on local mining history. He resides in Finksburg, Maryland with his wife Dawn and three children.
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. Questions? Please contact Laura Bankard, Outreach & Events Director at lbankard@hsccmd.org or 410.848.6494 ext. 200.

Carroll 250 Event: Historical Women of Carroll County
2026-03-14 14:00 | Sunday Morning at Savannah’s, 111 South Springdale Avenue, New Windsor, Maryland, 21776
This program honors the women of Carroll County whose lives, labor, leadership, and resilience helped shape the Carroll County community across generations. From homemakers to entrepreneurs, educators to advocates, the program will highlight stories often overlooked but deeply influential. Join to celebrate women’s history, legacy, and lasting impact — past, present, and future. This is a free event.
Please contact Sunday Morning at Savannah’s for more information at 240.550.2312.

Painting the Past
2026-03-14 13:00 | 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 for reservations.

History Pub Crawl: Downtown Frederick
2026-03-12 16:30 | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Uncover stories from Frederick’s Civil War nightlife on a historically-inspired pub crawl presented by the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and Jake Wynn – Public Historian
Civil War soldiers loved Downtown Frederick for the same reasons we love it today. Stores hawking anything from clothing to home furnishing, busy restaurants filled with hungry patrons, and notorious drinking establishments. The bustling streets of Downtown Frederick in the 1860s were filled nightly with soldiers looking for a strong drink and night away from their concerns about the war. On the other side were the military authorities and local police seeking to stop the booming alcohol trade in Frederick. What played out was a cat-and-mouse game featuring drunken riots, shoot-outs in the street, and chaotic evenings under the glow of the city’s gaslights.
The tour will gather at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $25/person and $20 for members.

'Meet the Authors' Book Signing of "Armies of Antietam"
2026-03-07 14:00 | 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.
