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By TED ALEXANDER
What do a factory worker from Baltimore, a history teacher from Chambersburg, a nurse from New Jersey, and, a priest from Australia have in common? They all attend Chambersburg Civil War Seminars! Indeed, since the founding of these events in 1989, more than 6,000 men and women, from 38 different states and four foreign countries, have trekked to our area to take part in these educational seminars.
These events have put us on the map, featuring top names in the Civil War field. Among them: James McPherson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author; Ed Bearss, who has been a commentator on Ken Burn’s “The Civil War” on PBS, as well as numerous documentaries on The History Channel; Edna Greene of Howard University, who has appeared on both The History Channel and C-Span; and James I. “Bud” Robertson, the author of the critically acclaimed biography of “Stonewall Jackson,” just to name a few. We have even had actor Stephen Lange, well known for historical roles in movies such as “Gettysburg,” “Gods and Generals” and “Tombstone.”
Seminar attendees frequently stay in town an extra day or so, and I know that some of these folks come back to the area for visits even when we are not holding any seminars. Studies show that the average tourist spends around $100 per day when traveling.
Another important aspect of the Chambersburg Civil War Seminars is our emphasis on historic preservation and education. Over the years we have raised, through book raffles and auctions, more than $140,000. With this we have made sizable contributions to The Civil War Preservation Trust and other like-minded groups. We have also assisted local preservation efforts, such as the restoration of the Memorial Fountain on the Square in Chambersburg. In addition, part of the money goes each year to a scholarship for deserving school teachers and students, and this allows them to attend our annual July seminar.
Remember, your support of these events helps promote our local and regional Civil War heritage and preservation.
About Ted AlexanderTed Alexander of Greencastle is chief historian at Antietam National Battlefield and the co- founder of Chambersburg Civil War Seminars. |
Chambersburg Civil War Seminars and Tours, is a divison of the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce and is in partnership with Ted Alexander, chief historian at Antietam National Battlefield and the author of Civil War-related books and articles and author and tour guide Scott Anderson. Three seminars are held yearly. At these events we often tour Civil War sites not open to the general public. We also feature many of the top historians and guides in the country. The Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce and Ted Alexander have been offering seminars since 1989.
