Tuesday February 21, 2023, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time. “At War with King Alcohol: Debating Drinking and Masculinity in the Civil War.” A free online lecture and discussion with Dr. Megan Bever. During the Civil War, soldiers and officers put liquor to a variety of uses. Even so, they debated the extent to which they could drink and still be considered patriotic men who served their countries effectively. Their conclusion – that they could drink for their well-being as long as it did not hinder their military performance – put them at odds with many civilians, who wanted teetotalling armies. The event is free, but advance registration is required: click here to register now.
March 24-26, 2023. Virginia Tech’s Annual Civil War Weekend. With the theme “Civil War Journeys,” this year’s speakers include Caroline E. Janney, Garry Adelman, Cassandra Newby-Alexander, and Ted Widmer. For full details and registration, go to https://www.cpe.vt.edu/cww/
Saturday April 22, 2023, 1:00 p.m. Free screening and discussion of Harriet (2019). Lyric Theatre, 135 College Ave, Blacksburg, VA. The latest installment of the Civil War Film Series showcases the incredible life of Harriet Tubman. The movie portrays Tubman’s escape from slavery, her heroic journeys back into the South to guide other enslaved people to freedom, and the Civil War raid she led into the South Carolina Lowcountry. Professor Erica Armstrong Dunbar will join us to discuss the history behind the film. Professor Dunbar is author of She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman (copies will be available for sale!), a lively, informative, and illustrated tribute to one of the most exceptional women in American history whose fearlessness and activism still resonate today. Professor Dunbar’s other books include National Book Award finalist Never Caught: The Washingtons’ Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge, and she is the main historical consultant and co-executive producer for HBO’s The Gilded Age.
Please note: We are committed to making our events accessible. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Paul Quigley at 540/231-9090 or pquigley@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.