Civil War 150 was made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, in partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the Library of America. It is a collaboration between the library and the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest. A lively series this February and March of films, author events, dramatic interpretations, and more will mark the 150th anniversary of the end of America’s Civil War. 834 Lake St., Oak Park, 60301 | 708.383.8200 Learn more at oppl.org Civil War Chicago: Eyewitness to History Film Screening: “Shenandoah” SUNDAY, FEB. 1, 2 PM, MAIN LIBRARY Learn how the Civil War affected Chicago when Loyola University professors and co-editors Ted Karamanski and Eileen McMahon share stories from their new book, Civil War Chicago: Eyewitness to History. Not only did Chicagoans play an important role in the politics of the conflict, encouraging emancipation and promoting a hard war policy against Southern civilians, but they supported the troops materially through production of military supplies and foodstuffs. The Civil War transformed Chicago from a mere commercial center to an industrial power as well as the nation’s railroad hub and busiest port. Historical Interpretation: Major General George Henry Thomas SUNDAY, FEB. 8, 4 PM, PLEASANT HOME, 217 HOME AVE., OAK PARK Meet Major General George Jerry Kowalski Henry Thomas and his wife to learn how a man born on a slave-holding plantation in Virginia became a graduate of West Point and later fought for the U.S. Army in the Mexican-American War. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Thomas did not resign his commission in the U.S. Army. His decision to remain loyal to the Union created a deep rift with his family, one that would not heal in his lifetime. Major General Thomas will be portrayed by Jerry Kowalski, former president of the Chicago Civil War Round Table and his wife, JoEllen Kawalski. Audience members are invited to dress in their Civil War best. TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1:30 PM, MAIN LIBRARY Join film historian Doug Deuchler to see and discuss “Shenandoah,” a 1965 film with James Stewart as a widowed farmer, a family patriarch with six sons, strongly opposed to slavery yet struggling to remain neutral during the Civil War. Film Screening: “Glory” TUESDAY, FEB. 10, 1:30 PM, MAIN LIBRARY Join film historian Doug Deuchler to see and discuss, “Glory,” a 1989 film starring Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman. The film tells the true story of black soldiers who fought prejudice and neglect to prove themselves in battle. Film Screening: “Friendly Persuasion” TUESDAY, FEB. 17, 1:30, MAIN LIBRARY Join film historian Doug Deuchler to see and discuss “Friendly Persuasion,” a 1956 film about a peaceful, neutral Quaker family who is tested when the Confederate army invades their area. Gary Cooper and Anthony Perkins star in this film. Civil War Tales: True Stories from Oak Park THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 7 PM, MAIN LIBRARY Through a multi-media experience combining footage from the Historical Society’s Tale of the Tombstones Cemetery Walk, which focused on the Civil War with live re-enactors portraying Oak Park citizens, hear first-person tales from Oak Park citizens. These include Ernest Hemingway’s two grandfathers who fought in the Civil War, Major Wilbur Crummer who was left for dead at Vicksburg, a young man who lied about his age to help the Union. Film Screening: ‘‘The General” TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1:30 PM, MAIN LIBRARY Join film historian Doug Deuchler to see and discuss “The General,” a 1926 silent film. This silent comedy classic, starring Buster Keaton, combines inventive humor with exciting action. When Union spies steal an engineer’s beloved locomotive, he pursues it single-handedly, straight through enemy lines. Historical Interpretation: Civil War Nurse Clara Barton SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2 PM, MAIN LIBRARY Clara Barton earned fame as the first woman to serve as a nurse on the front lines of a battlefield. This first-person program presented by Leslie Goddard introduces Barton as a tireless worker who faced remarkable challenges in her quest to care for wounded soldiers. Learn about the courage required for a woman who dared to brave the front lines. Leslie Goddard
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