Upcoming Events

Kenosha Public Museums offer many cultural and educational activities throughout the year. 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of President Lincoln's birth, and the Museums will be offering special Lincoln Bicentennial Programs. Lincoln Bicentennial Programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Museums.

Here's a list of upcoming events at the Civil War Museum.

The Election of 1860: Cast Your Vote in the Election!

January-November 2010

The election of 1860 was the most polarizing and divisive election in our country's history as four candidates vied for president. Who would you have voted for? Now is your chance to have your vote count as the Civil War Museum recreates this historic election during its 150th anniversary year. Come to the Museum, learn about the candidates, study the issues, and pick up a ballot to cast your vote.

Ida B. Wells: In Her Own Words

Wednesday, March 17, 2010; 7pm

Civil rights activist and journalist Ida B. Wells will be the subject of a theatre program and book signing. The free public program, sponsored by the Mary Lou and Arthur F. Mahone Fund, will feature Michelle Duster, great grand-daughter of Ida B. Wells. Duster shares her great grandmother's stories in her new books, Ida: In Her Own Words and Ida from Abroad. Copies of the books will be available for purchase and signing by the author following the theatre presentation. Free tickets to the program will be available at the Museum beginning at 9am on Tuesday, March 16, 2010. Seating is limited and unreserved.

On the Authority of the Lord God Almighty

Saturday, March 27, 2010; 1pm

This program is presented by Betsy Estilow, professor of history and biology at Hood College, Frederick, Maryland. Mother Mary Ann Bickerdyke, one of the best known nurses during the war and a Galesburg, Illinois native, became a legend in the armies of Grant and Sherman. Numerous colorful stories have been told of her exploits and her lack of respect for rules and regulations. She later wrote of her services, "I served for four years. I was in 19 hard-fought battles. I did the work of one and I tried to do it well." Ms. Estilow's presentation separates myths from truths and explores the life of this amazing woman.

This program qualifies for undergraduate college credit at Carthage College. Click here for additional information.

Sponsored by the Milwaukee Civil War Round Table and the Iron Brigade Association.

Divided by Conflict, United by Compassion

Wednesday, April 7, 2010; 6:30pm-8:30pm

Dr. Gordon Dammann, chairman of the board of directors of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Frederick, Maryland, presents a one session class on the medical care that sick and wounded soldiers received during the Civil War. From recruiting station to training camp to field hospital, Dr. Dammann's class will discuss the challenges facing doctors and patients throughout the conflict and also the advancements in medical care that came out of four years of warfare. Using original artifacts and case studies, Dr. Dammann's presentation will illustrate the tools, medicines, and education that the surgeons had at their disposal to treat the thousands of sick and wounded soldiers they encountered as a result of the Civil War. $15 ($10 FOM).

Second Friday Lunchbox Lectures

April 9, May 14, and June 18, 2010; Noon-1pm

Free presentations in Freedom Hall. Bring your own lunch to eat during the presentations or buy snacks and beverages in the Museum vending machines.

Friday, April 9, 2010; Noon-1pm

Presented by Civil War Museum curator Doug Dammann. On the anniversary of the event, join Doug Dammann as he discusses General Lee's surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox, Virginia.

Friday, May 14, 2010; Noon-1pm

Presented by Rick and Joanne Scheffel. Using photographs and artifacts, Rick and Joanne Scheffel discuss Hans Heg, colonel of the 15th Wisconsin volunteers. Hans Heg emigrated to America from Norway with his family in 1840 and settled in Racine County. When the Civil War started, Heg resigned his position as warden of the state prison in Waupun to return to Racine County to raise the 14th Wisconsin, a regiment almost completely made up of Norwegian immigrants. Hear about the exploits of Heg's regiment.

Friday, June 18, 2010: Noon-1pm

Presented by Brett Lobello, Civil War Museum curator of education. Participate in a discussion on why South Carolina was the first state to secede. A brief PowerPoint on the roots of South Carolina Radicalism begins the discussion. Come ready to share your ideas.

Civil War Sundays

Sundays - March 7, April 11, May 16, 2010; 1:30pm-3:30pm

Codes and Spies!

April 11, 2010; 1:30pm-3:30pm

Spies were used by both the North and South to find out information about the military forces they were fighting. Families can make messages with their own cipher code, learn how Morse Code was transmitted, and play a quick "spy" activity.

Life in the Cavalry Camp

May 16, 2010; 1:30pm-3:30pm

One of the most interesting parts of the Civil War Armies were their horsemen, the cavalry. These men were fast, attacked the enemy, and scouted to find the enemy. What was it like in the cavalry camp? Try some food the cavalry soldiers would have eaten. Make a stick horse. Join in a flashy cavalry charge! Please leave your horses at home, though.

Baseball in the Civil War

Saturday, April 17, 2010; 1pm

Did General Abner Doubleday invent the game of baseball? What were the rules of the game prior and during the Civil War? By 1860, baseball was an American sport. Cities in the Northeast and only a few in the South played various forms of the game. Soldiers from both sides played baseball, not just to relieve boredom at camp, but also to pass the time in prison camps. During the war, some individuals found ways of making money on the sport. Even journalists and club officials encouraged women to attend games to lend greater respectability to the game and help control unruly males. The Civil War made baseball our national pastime. A free program presented by Marty Cain, Lake County Civil War Round Table and sponsored by the Milwaukee Civil War Round Table and Iron Brigade Association.

From 2pm--4pm, members of the Milwaukee Cream City vintage baseball team will present hands-on instruction as to how the game of baseball was played in the 19th century. The Cream Citys are fashioned after Milwaukee's first professional team, the Milwaukee Cream Citys, which was formed in 1869 and joined the National League in 1878 before going bankrupt during their first season. Come and have a catch, take batting practice, and explore the rules of vintage baseball. Just remember, no glove is needed. Baseball players (or ballists of the 19th century played with their bare hands.

Stories Out of the Box

Sunday, April 18, 2010; 12:30-1:30pm and 1:30pm-2:30pm

Listen to the book Henry's Freedom Box, join in an activity related to the book, and then make a simple take-home craft. Pick up free tickets at the Civil War Museum's Resource Center beginning April 18 at 10am. K-4th grade with an adult. One adult required for every 3 children.

Forgotten Warriors: The Forgotten Role of Native Americans in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan Regiments

Wednesday, April 21, 2010; 6:30pm-8:30pm

The service of the Native Americans who fought with the regiments from the Upper MIddle West is all but lost to history--they drift through soldier memoirs here and there with a casual mention. Yet, many members of the Great Lakes tribes put on Union blue from 1861 to 1865 and served with regiments from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Their record of service, however, was little recognized at the time or even now. This class will take a look at the evidence and uncover the stories of such as a company of Ojibwas from Minnesota and Moses Ladd, an Oneida who served as a scout to General William Sherman. Presented by professor Lance Herdegen. $15 ($10 FOM).

A Discussion with President Lincoln and Judge Douglas

Saturday, April 24, 2010; 1pm; Freedom Hall

Veteran Lincoln and Douglas interpreters Timothy Conners and George Buss will recreate a portion of the famous 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates and discuss the 1860 Presidential election during their presentation of "A Discussion with President Lincoln and Judge Douglas." This is a free program.

Surrender Items

Saturday, May 29, 2010; 1pm

Daniel Weinberg, owner of Chicago's Abraham Lincoln Book Shop, presents an illustrated talk on collections and historical artifacts that have passed through his shop. His emphasis will be placed on an Appomattox Surrender Collection, featuring an actual desk used during the surrender meeting between Grant and Lee, which will be on display only during the talk.

A Salute to Freedom

Saturday and Sunday, June 12-13, 2010

Wave the flag and celebrate hometown heroes at the second anniversary of the Civil War Museum. More details will be available soon!

Looking Ahead: Great Lakes Civil War Forum

Saturday, September 11, 2010; 9am-3:30pm

James Lighthizer, president of the Civil War Preservation Trust office, will be the keynote speaker at the Third Annual Great Lakes Civil War Forum.

The focus of this year's Forum will be the three major battles which took place in and around the Fredericksburg, Virginia, area during the four years of the Civil War. Lighthizer's lecture will focus on the challenges his group has encountered in attempting to preserve and protect these battlefields from modern development.

In addition to Lighthizer's program, there will be three other lectures focusing on aspects of one of the major battles that took place around Fredericksburg during the war.

Registration information will be available after April 1.

The Civil War Preservation Trust is the nation's largest nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation of our nation's endangered Civil War battlefields. The Trust also promotes educational programs and heritage tourism initiatives to inform the public of the war's history and the fundamental conflicts that sparked it. Lighthizer served in the Maryland state legislature and later as its Secretary of Transportation. He has been president of the Trust since 1999.