Friday, March 18, 2016

Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College


          If you enjoy history, particularly United States military history, there is still time to register for the 2016 Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College. The annual CWI is a five-day seminar about the war from various approaches with presentations by the top authorities in the field.


          Each year the CWI includes battlefield tours. This year all tours are at Gettysburg.

          Attendees learn every year what the latest scholarship is on virtually every Civil War-related topic. This year much of the attention will be devoted to the Reconstruction years from the viewpoint of both returning soldiers and the civilian population.

          Don’t make a decision about the CWI based upon what you read here. Go to www.Gettysburg.edu/cwi/ for more information about the schedule, how to register, who the speakers will be and how to contact the CWI.

          The first time Your Loyal Blogger attended the CWI, it was with the solemn promise not to speak or raise a question during the entire length of the stay. Better to be thought a fool, the thinking went, than to remove any doubt.


          The first speaker that year was Dr. Peter Carmichael, the guy who runs the CWI. And there, on national television, was YLB standing in front of a microphone and challenging a point made by the distinguished Dr. Carmichael. So much for staying quiet.

          The interaction with the speakers is a highlight for many attendees and it is easy to accomplish.

          Another attraction for this reporter is the availability of Civil War-related books during the conference. Lots of Speedylee dollars get spent on new books each year at the CWI. You can’t find a book store with as many current books on the topic as you’ll find at the back of the CUB during the CWI.

          The worst part of the event comes at the end of the final day when attendees realize they have to wait another 360 days before the next CWI.
          Hope you can make it this year and thanks for reading.

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