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