The Picket Post NewsletterÂ

Many thanks to all who have already registered for the spring conference. If you have not yet registered for our spring 2018 conference, “Another Era in Our War Life”: When the Home Front Became the Battle Front, there still is time to do so. Registration remains open until Sunday, April 1. The conference will examine the ways in which some of the conflict’s most storied battles and campaigns impacted civilians and communities. The conference will feature nationally recognized Civil War historians Eric Campbell, Allen Guelzo, Jonathan Noyalas, Frank O’Reilly and Anne Sarah Rubin. The conference will be held on the campus of Shenandoah University. The registration fee of $50 includes all presentations, lunch, and an interpretive program at the Sheridan’s Field Hospital site. For additional information on the conference, including registration forms, visit The McCormick Civil War Institute website.

MCWI is pleased to offer a special student rate of $20 to any student with a valid ID. For additional information about the conference or student registration, please contact the director via email at jnoyalas01@su.edu.

Expanded Interpretation Planned for Cool Spring

In 2018, the McCormick Civil War Institute will expand interpretive efforts at Cool Spring, building off the work accomplished in 2017. In addition to having “The Lodge” open on select Saturdays in June, July and August (see calendar of upcoming events for specific dates) so visitors can enjoy the exhibition about the Battle of Cool Spring and children can learn about Civil War soldiers in our “Call to Learn” exhibit, we will also offer some additional interpretive programs throughout the summer months. Additionally, new interpretive signage will be added to the kiosk at the head of the battlefield walking trail, and a new wayside marker added in the bluffs portion of the walking trail, interpreting Union artillery at the battle.

McCormick Civil War Institute Becomes Part of Virginia Civil War Trails Sponsorship Program

At the end of January 2018, the McCormick Civil War Institute signed an agreement with Virginia Civil War Trails (VCWT) to sponsor interpretive signs at Cool Spring. The sponsorship program, which comes with an annual fee of $400, will make Cool Spring part of the VCWT network, increase the site’s visibility through VCWT’s various print and digital media outlets, and cover maintenance costs associated with interpretive waysides on the battlefield that are incessantly exposed to the elements. Any financial contributions to the McCormick Civil War Institute to aid in offsetting our $400 annual membership fee with VCWT would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks to Generous Donors

MCWI wishes to thank all of those who have made contributions to support the McCormick Civil War Institute. Since the publication of our last newsletter the following individuals have made generous contributions, which will support interpretive efforts at Cool Spring, public presentations, and a variety of unique opportunities for Shenandoah students—Dr. Warren Hofstra, Mr. Bruce Kramer, and Mr. Phil Spaugy.

Journal of the Shenandoah Valley During the Civil War Era Is Well-Received

Several weeks prior to Christmas, the McCormick Civil War Institute released the inaugural volume of the Journal of the Shenandoah Valley During the Civil War Era. In the two months since its release, the McCormick Civil War Institute has sold nearly 300 copies, and copies continue to be sold every day. Many thanks to all who purchased copies and to those who have helped spread the word. If you have not yet purchased your copy, you can purchase one at the following retailers—Winchester Book Gallery, Cedar Creek and Belle Grove Visitor’s Center, Winchester-Frederick County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation and Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society. The Journal is always available for purchase online at Amazon.

Save the Date for Fall Semester Seminar and Tour—Saturday, Oct. 27

This year’s fall semester seminar and tour—“A Peculiarly Undesirable Place”—will focus on the Civil War in Martinsburg, West Virginia (our director’s hometown). Throughout the Civil War, Martinsburg, an important commercial and transportation hub, changed hands 37 times, was the scene of numerous military actions, and the home of such notable figures as Belle Boyd and David Hunter Strother. This program, based out of the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg, will provide an important look into this border community’s oftentimes overlooked, yet important, place in the Shenandoah Valley’s Civil War story. Registration for this event, with limited slots, will open at our spring conference, on April 7. The registration fee of $25 for this event will cover the morning lecture, lunch at the Holiday Inn, all handouts and the guided tour, which will be conducted in our traditional caravan format to allow easier access to sites. Online registration goes live the week of April 9.

Spring “Perspectives” Lecture Set for Wednesday, March 28 at 7 p.m.

On Wednesday, March 28, the spring “Perspectives” lecture will feature Dr. Heather Butts (Columbia University) who will speak on her most recent book, “African American Medicine in Washington, D.C.: Healing the Capital During the Civil War Era.” The lecture will be held in Halpin-Harrison Hall, Stimpson Auditorium. This lecture is free and open to the public. We already have the speaker for our fall 2018 “Perspectives” series booked—Dr. Jennifer Murray of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Murray will deliver the presentation, “On A Great Battlefield’: The History of Gettysburg National Military Park,” on Thursday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. on the campus of Shenandoah University. Additional details about Murray’s visit and presentation will be forthcoming.

Volunteers Wanted!

Beginning in the summer of 2018, the McCormick Civil War Institute plans to increase visitor accessibility to the exhibition in “The Lodge” and offer more guided tours of the battlefield. MCWI cannot realize that goal without the assistance of volunteers. Volunteers would be responsible for staffing The Lodge, answering basic questions about the site and exhibition. MCWI is looking to staff the battlefield and offer various programs on the following Saturdays in the summer of 2018: June 9, June 23, July 7, July 14 (battle anniversary commemoration), July 21, July 28, Aug. 11 and Aug. 25. The Lodge will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on those days. Training sessions will be planned for this spring. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact our volunteer coordinator, Ms. Shelby Shrader, at sshrader12@su.edu. Anyone with additional questions about volunteer responsibilities can contact MCWI’s director via email at jnoyalas01@su.edu or by phone 540/665-4501.

McCormick Civil War Institute Summer Fellowship to Continue in Summer 2018

Thanks to the continued generosity of Dr. David and Mrs. Melanie Miles, we will be able to continue the summer fellowship program in 2018. This summer, two Shenandoah University history majors will work with our director on a special project to identify and collect information about the 145 Union and Confederate soldiers who perished at the Battle of Cool Spring. This research will then be used to create new exhibitions at the site and develop new interpretive programs.

Artist Continues Work on Cool Spring Watercolor

In October, MCWI commissioned Pennsylvania-based artist Wendy McKeithan to paint an original watercolor depicting the Union crossing at Island Ford on July 18, 1864. The watercolor will portray troops from Colonel George Wells’ brigade crossing under fire from troops of the 42nd Virginia Infantry. Mrs. McKeithan continues to work diligently on this watercolor, and it is anticipated that it will be complete by the 154th anniversary of the Battle of Cool Spring. Once complete, MCWI will make a limited run of prints which will be available for purchase. All proceeds from this project will go to support MCWI’s many efforts, including interpretive efforts at Cool Spring.

McCormick Civil War Institute Has Presence during SU’s MLK Commemoration

During Shenandoah University’s commemoration of MLK Day, the McCormick Civil War Institute’s director conducted a variety of programs for university faculty, students and staff as well as the broader community, including a caravan tour of sites associated with the Civil War experience of African Americans in Winchester, and a lecture, “A Joyous Daybreak”: Reflections on Lincoln, King and Emancipation’s Centennial. Despite frigid temperatures throughout that week, all events were well-attended.

The McCormick Civil War Institute Always Needs Your Help!

One of the reasons the McCormick Civil War Institute is able to offer more public programming and opportunities for students than ever before in its history is due to the generosity of those who have responded to the call for contributions. While those contributions are much appreciated and will allow MCWI to do a great deal in the short-term, MCWI appeals to your generosity, kindness, and love of Civil War era history and graciously asks for your continued support.

If you would like to make a contribution to the Civil War Institute to support its various efforts—free public programming, offering unique learning opportunities for Shenandoah University’s history majors focused on Civil War era studies, and various interpretive efforts at Cool Spring—we would be most appreciative. Any amount, however big or small, will go a long way to support the Civil War Institute’s vision; one of the most significant of which is making certain that younger generations understand the Civil War's importance and its complexities.

A Note from Our Director

Headlines from the Quarter

Register for the Spring Conference—“Another Era in Our War Life”