|
By Lawrence E. "Larry" Keener-Farley
Although we study the past, we always have to
look toward the future. Two items of special interest in the near future
are the opening of "The Museum" and our Annual Civil War Days.
As this issue of The Bugle goes to press, the National
Civil War Museum is preparing to open. After years of planning and a year
and a half of construction, Mayor Stephen Reed's dream is about to become
a reality.
Camp Curtin has been involved, in several small ways,
in the creation of what will be a world class facility. Several of our
members have given advice on the preparation of exhibits, especially those
relating to local history. Camp Curtin arranged for the musket volley that
announced Gov. Tom Ridge's presentation of the state grant check that funded
construction of the Museum. We provided the living history encampment during
the first public preview of the construction site in June 2000. And, as
we approach the opening ceremonies Camp Curtin is arranging for reenactors
and volunteers to assist with these special events.
Once the Museum opens, Camp Curtin plans to have a permanent
office in the building and we expect to hold two of our events at the Museum
each year. The goals of the Museum match those of our Society - preservation,
education and commemoration - and I see a fruitful relationship stretching
into the future. I encourage all of you to visit and support the National
Civil War Museum and its activities.
Also in the future is our annual commemoration of the
Confederate invasion of Cumberland County and the defense of Harrisburg
by Union troops. This year, our Annual Civil Wars Days will be held July
21 and 22 (mark your calendars now and plan to attend), with the emphasis
concentrating on the capture of Mechanicsburg. This event is one month
later than usual because the Borough of Mechanicsburg has asked us to coordinate
our activities with the 175th anniversary of the local meeting
house. While still in the planning stages, we hope to expand on the excellent
program we had in 1998. Many of you may remember the cannon firing in the
streets of Mechanicsburg and the capture of the mayor, portrayed by the
current mayor and Camp Curtin member, Jack Ritter. We will keep you posted
as plans for this event develop.
|
With all of this activities coming
up, Camp Curtin and Harrisburg Area Community College decided not to hold
the Harrisburg Civil War Exposition this year. We are taking the year off
and developing plans for revamping this popular event. We will be back
in 2002 and have already reserved the rooms and the Farm Show Complex.
Camp Curtin and other organizations have lots of Civil War events planned for the coming months. See the list on page 13 and make your future plans now! New Members On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Society, I
am pleased to welcome the following new members:
Terry Burrows Colette Coder Sharon E. Duncan Charles E. Falk Chuck Gummo Matilda L. Hallman Tobias Heike Sally Hitz Sue Shultz Derwood A. Stacknick Danny A. Stoner Bob Trombley
The next meeting of the society will be the Annual Membership Meeting on Sunday, March 4, 2001 at 2 pm. This meeting will be held at the Camp Curtin Memorial-Mitchell United Methodist Church, 2221 North Sixth Street, Harrisburg. Our featured speaker is Marc Riddell, who is also treasurer for the society. Marc will present a program entitled "Hiram Berdan and His Sharpshooters." He will discuss Berdan’s life and the recruiting of the United States Sharpshooters. Also covered will be the camp of instruction, uniforms and equipment, and their importance at the battle of Gettysburg. We look forward to hearing Marc speak about this fascinating topic Marc’s presentation will follow the presentation of reports from the treasurer, report of the nominating committee, and the election of society officers and directors. As always, our meetings are free and open to the public, and plenty of parking is available behind the YMCA. Refreshments will be served following the last presentation. Members who have not yet renewed their memberships are reminded that they should turn in their annual dues at this meeting. |
3