Remembering America's Civil War: A 150 Year Retrospective
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Exhibit Descriptions
Abraham Lincoln and Coles County (Coles County and the Civil War) Although he never lived in the county, Abraham Lincoln visited Coles County more than 30 times between 1831 and 1861. He came to the county to visit his parents, practice law, and in 1858 to debate his rival Stephen Douglas. Lincoln�s close relationship with Coles County is explained in this exhibit. Bradley P. Tolppanen, curator (Marvin Foyer) African American Soldiers and Sailors of the Civil War African-Americans composed 12% of the Union army during the Civil War and fought in 41 major battles and 449 smaller clashes. This poster exhibit studies the role of African-Americans in the conflict. Bradley P. Tolppanen, curator (Northeast Side Marvin Foyer) |
Both the Union and the Confederacy sought for a competitive edge in warfare by utilizing modern (for its time) nineteenth century science and technology. Railroads were used not only to deliver supplies and transport troops, but were also equipped as battering rams and for mobile mortar fire. Scientists made advancements in electric telegraph communications and pioneered efforts to create new technologies such as aerial balloon surveillance, remotely detonated mines, ironclad warships, and early submarines. Extreme times resulted in extreme weaponry.
Jeanne Goble and Lee Whitacre, curators (Marvin Foyer)
Charleston Riot of 1864: The Civil War Comes to Town (Coles County and the Civil War)
This exhibit depicts the events of March 28, 1864, when a group of Southern sympathizers clashed on Charleston�s courthouse square with a contingent of Union soldiers at home on leave.
Robert Hillman, curator (Marvin Foyer)
Children and the American Civil War
Looking through tintype photographic images and diary excerpts, viewers may be surprised by glimpses into the lives of children living during the American Civil War. During this tumultuous time, some children were underage soldiers, espionage agents, slaves, and battle siege witnesses.
Jeanne Goble and Lee Whitacre, curators (Marvin Foyer)
A Civil War Chronology
This exhibit uses illustrations and a timeline to examine the political, military, and social aspects of the Civil War, including the origins of the conflict as well as the Reconstruction Era.
Bradley P. Tolppanen, curator (North Lobby)
The Civil War Diary of Lyman Chittenden
This exhibit showcases the diary of a Civil War chaplain, who traveled by ship through the lower Mississippi River, and was present at the Battle of Mobile Bay. The diary is owned by Eastern�s University Archives.
Robert Hillman, curator (Northwest Side Marvin Foyer)
The Civil War Newspaper Business
During the Civil War, hundreds of newspapers throughout the north and south reported and editorialized about the events of this unprecedented American conflict. This exhibit surveys the 1860s American newspaper industry and the crucial role of printed media in disseminating news, opinion, and even visual information such as maps, illustrations, cartoons, and photographs.
David Bell, curator (Reference Hall)
Civil War Reads
A suggested reading list of novels dealing with the Civil War, in one way or another, from Ambrose Bierce�s An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and Stephen Crane�s Red Badge of Courage, from the 1890�s, to the ever-popular 1939 classic Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell and the more recent Gods and Generals trilogy by Jeff Shaara (1995).
Deborah Fennema, curator (Atrium)
Civil War Soldiers North and South
Displayed in this exhibit are images showing the wide range of soldiers who fought on both sides of the Civil War, along with actual photographs of individual soldiers from the Union and Confederate armies.
Robert Hillman, curator (Northwest Side Marvin Foyer)
Coles County Soldiers in the Illinois Regiments (Coles County and the Civil War)
This exhibit provides information on the service of the more than 2,000 soldiers from Coles County that served in the Illinois regiments during the Civil War.
Bradley P. Tolppanen, curator (Marvin Foyer)
Gardner�s Photographic Sketch Book of the War
Alexander Gardner, like his mentor Mathew Brady, was a highly skilled photographer in his own right. For a number of years he served as Brady�s chief assistant. Originally from Scotland, Gardner left Brady�s operation in 1863, but continued to take memorable pictures of the Civil War�some of which appear in this exhibit. After the war Gardner opened a photo gallery in Washington, D. C. Later he traveled extensively in the west, capturing images of the Union Pacific railroad and frontier life in Kansas, Texas, and along the Chisholm Trail.
Robert Hillman, curator (Atrium)
Hollywood and the Civil War
A poster exhibit presenting a series of major motion pictures that portrayed different takes on the Civil War. All films represented are available for checkout from the library�s DVD and video collection.
Janice Derr, curator (Northeast Side Marvin Foyer)
Lincoln�s Inauguration as President
This exhibit displays images and text to illustrate Abraham Lincoln�s inauguration as president on March 4, 1861.
Bradley Tolppanen, curator (Marvin Foyer)
Pieces of the Past
Reproductions are displayed of Union and Confederate flags, currencies, and correspondences. Favorite leisure time keepsakes, such as games, toys, and magazine advertisements, are also on display.
Jeanne Goble and Lee Whitacre, curators (Marvin Foyer)
The Singing War: Music and Musicians during the U.S. Civil War
Music was such a central part of the U.S. Civil War, the war is sometimes referred to as the �singing war.� Learn about the integral role of music in the North�s decision to fight for emancipation, how music was used to deceive the enemy (on both sides), and other anecdotes related to music and musicians of this era. Audio excerpts from a selection of tunes mentioned in this display will be available for sampling.
Kirstin Duffin, curator (Reference Hall)
Walt Whitman and Louisa May Alcott: Literary Nurses
Many Civil War nurses wrote about their experiences in letters and diaries but two nurses went on to achieve fame in American literature. Whitman�s poems and newspaper articles and Alcott�s story, Hospital Sketches, resonate even today with their passionate portrayal of the horrors of war and the heroism of those who sought to alleviate some of the pain.
Janice Derr and Pamela Ortega, curators (Southeast and Southwest sides Marvin Foyer)
Women Soldiers of the Civil War
Women disguised as men fought for both sides in the Civil War. Their reasons for fighting varied, and most were eventually discovered to be women and were subsequently discharged. Many others died in battle or from illness, and a very few succeeded in surviving the war with their true identity unknown.
Pamela Ortega, curator (Marvin Foyer)
The Words of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln delivered many famous speeches and has been called by historians the �eloquent president.� This poster displays excerpts from Lincoln�s most noteworthy addresses, including the �House Divided� speech and the Second Inaugural.
Bradley P. Tolppanen, curator (Northwest Side Marvin Foyer)
