Conflict and Consequence: Commemorating the Civil War

The Garland County Library will commemorate the Civil War sesquicentennial with a four day series of events entitled “Conflict and Consequence,” running May 19^th -22^nd.

“We’ve worked hard to gather the best speakers, living history interpreters and performers we could find to try to look at the Civil War from different perspectives,” Karen Covey, one of the organizer’s of the events, said. “It should be a wonderful series of programs, ranging from lectures on local history and women’s roles in the war to living history programs that bring the past to life with period costumes. We’ll also have a Civil War encampment on the grounds outside the library one day, so we can get an idea of what life was like on the battle front.”

The program begins Thursday, May 19^th at 6 pm with a lecture by Dr. Angela Boswell focusing on Women’s roles during the Civil War. Boswell is a Professor of History at Henderson State University. Her research and teaching focus on Southern History, Women’s History, Early United States, and Civil War and Reconstruction. Boswell earned the Liz Carpenter Award for Best Scholarly Book on the History of Women and Texas (2010) from the Texas State Historical Society.

“I can’t wait to learn more about a side to the Civil War that we don’t often hear about, that is, women’s roles during the war,” Covey said. “Dr. Boswell’s talk should delve into not only how women served on the home front, but also what we’ve learned about some who served as soldiers and even as spies.”

Friday, May 20^th will feature a Civil War encampment outside the library staged by the 9^th Arkansas Confederate Infantry from 10 am until 5 pm. Reenactors will guide visitors through various tents, including a medical station, cannons and artillery. The encampment will continue Saturday.

Inside the library on the same day is a series of living history and educational programs. At 10 am, Hot Springs resident Deborah Wright will perform “Journeys: the Legacy of Harriet Tubman.” Wright combines dramatic interpretation and song as she follows Tubman’s journey from childhood through her trips on the Underground Railroad.

At noon, National Park Service interpreters will present a costumed living history presentation of the Lydia Belding letters. Belding was a Civil War era resident of Hot Springs whose letters reflect the changes wrought by the war. Art works inspired by the Belding letters will be presented by the Hot Springs Fine Arts Center. Attendees are invited to bring a brown bag lunch.

Civil War Medicine Woman Dyan Bohnert will present a living history program at 2 pm. Bohnert specializes in discussing medicine, food, women’s roles, and artillery during the Civil War. Her reenactment includes recipes, remedies, stories and history.

The Ouachita Chapter of the Arkansas Archaeological Society will present “Some Civil War Sites You May or May Not Know About” at 4 pm.

“The Archaeological Society is a wonderfully dedicated group who will definitely unearth, pardon the pun, some fascinating information about local Civil War sites,” Covey said.

On Saturday, May 21^st, the library will celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the publication of Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone With the Wind.” Festivities, including snacks, book discussion, trivia games, prize giveaways, and “Gone With the Wind” memorabilia show and tell will begin at 10 am. The film will be presented at 1 pm.

“This is such a beloved story that I’m sure we’ll have a wonderful time talking about it,” Covey said. “We’ve had great luck with people lending us copies of the book for a display that will be up during the event and I’m hoping that people will also bring their Scarlett dolls, plates, souvenir programs and whatever collectibles they have, to the event so everyone can see them.”

Sunday, May 21^st also features a show and tell event, but not limited to “Gone With the Wind” related items. At 1 pm, historian Dennis McGee, owner of The Battlefield: A Civil War Bookshoppe, along with members of the Ouachita Chapter of the Arkansas Archaeological Society, will share Civil War artifacts and memorabilia and invite the public to bring in theirs to discuss and show off.

“It will be a little like ‘Antiques Roadshow,’” Covey said, “but without the appraisals. Everyone should break out their treasure chests and clean out their attics and bring in their items to learn more about them.”

State Historian Wendy Richter will present “The Impact of the Civil War on Hot Springs, Arkansas” at 3 pm on Sunday. Richter is Director of the Arkansas History Commission and serves on the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission.

All events are sponsored by the Friends of the Garland County Library. Registration is required for most events. Call the library at 623-4161 or 922-4483 to reserve a seat or for more information.