Free Civil War-Themed Public Programs in September
Press Release · Friday, August 6, 2010

Part I of Discovering the Civil War Exhibit will close after Labor Day, Part II will open November 10

Washington, DC…The National Archives presents a special series of programs in September including panel discussions, and a film screening, inspired by Part I of Discovering the Civil War, scheduled to close after Labor Day. The programs are free and open to the public and will be held at in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Building on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. Use the Special Events entrance on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street.

Discovering the Civil War Part I, Beginnings, is featured in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, through September 6, 2010. Part II, Consequences, opens November 10, 2010 and runs through April 17, 2011. The exhibit peels back 150 years of accumulated analysis, interpretation, and opinion to reveal a Civil War that is little-known and even more rarely displayed. The exhibition offers visitors the chance to join researchers in unlocking secrets, solving mysteries, and uncovering unexpected events in the Civil War records of the National Archives. Museum Spring/Summer hours (through Labor Day) are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily. The exhibition is presented by the Center for the National Archives Experience and the Foundation for the National Archives.

The Great Generals Series with General Wesley K. Clark, Thursday, September 9, at 7 p.m.
During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis each faced the difficult task of finding capable military leaders. Who were the great generals of the Civil War? What kind of men were they? Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero will introduce General Wesley K. Clark (ret.) who will moderate a panel discussion of The Great Generals book series. Panelists include John Mosier, author of Grant; Steven E. Woodworth, author of Sherman; Donald A. Davis, author of Stonewall Jackson; and Noah Andre Trudeau, author of Robert E. Lee. Book signings will follow the program.

Alvarez Kelly, Saturday, September 11, at noon
Based on an actual incident, this action-adventure film stars William Holden as a cattleman whose herd is stolen by Confederate raiders. Also stars Richard Widmark. (1966; 116 minutes) Please note—viewer discretion is advised.

Bloody Crimes: The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Death Pageant for Lincoln’s Corpse
Tuesday, September 28, at 7 p.m.
James L. Swanson discusses his newest book Bloody Crimes: The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Death Pageant for Lincoln’s Corpse, the sequel to his award-winning work Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer. Swanson weaves together the stories of two fallen leaders as they made their last journeys through a wounded nation. Abraham Lincoln’s final journey began when soldiers placed his corpse aboard a special train for the 1,600-mile trip to Springfield. Many were convinced that Davis, president of the Confederacy, was involved in the conspiracy that led to Lincoln’s assassination. His last journey, hunted down by Union cavalry, was the beginning of a dramatic odyssey that would transform him into a martyr of the South’s Lost Cause. Interviewing Swanson will be Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley. A book signing will follow the program.

To verify the date and times of the programs, the public should call the Public Programs Line at: (202) 357-5000, or view the Calendar of Events online. To request an accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter) for a public program, e-mail public.program@nara.gov or call 202-357-5000 two weeks prior to the event.

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