Humanities NY awarded the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site a “Reading and Discussion” grant titled “Let’s Talk About It: Making Sense of the Civil War.” Humanities NY hopes this Civil War themed series will encourage casual discussions among participants, thus enriching an understanding of the war’s military and cultural impact on the nation.
Jefferson Community College history instructor Josh Canale guides the series theme, during sessions held alternately at the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site and United Presbyterian Church.
This grant provides three books to borrow: March by Geraldine Brooks, Antietam by James McPherson, and America’s War by Edward Ayers. The series includes not only selected portions in these books, but conversations about ancestors involved from both the North and South, local connections to the war, and other choice readings in diaries, historical fiction, and biographies.
This discussion series consists of four sessions at 7 pm on Thursdays May 11, May 18, May 25, and June 1, in addition to the first “meet and greet” with book sign-outs Thursday May 4 at the Hay Memorial Library.
That first 7 pm evening orientation at the Hay Memorial Library on May 4 th brings participants together to learn about the series, along with signing-out the three books provided for loan by Humanities NY.
This is a free program. Space is limited, call the Battlefield Site to register (315) 646-3634 or email Constance.Barone@parks.ny.gov.
Illustration: Soldiers Leaving for War, 1863.
Leave a Reply