It is difficult to believe that an entire 150 years separate us from one of the most defining events in our national history. This anniversary provides a fresh opportunity to discover the role Ohio played in the Civil War.

The Portsmouth Public Library has planned a series of activities and presentations both to commemorate the event but also to allow our community to learn about the war in a whole new way. We have invited actors, speakers, and planned a wide variety of programs for our community to enjoy.

Some of the highlight events include; ‘An Evening with Harriet Tubman’ portrayed by Portsmouth’s own Portia Williams, ‘Nutrition and Food Preparation in the Civil War’ hosted by the Ohio State University Extension Office, ‘The Amazing Race’ photo scavenger hunt, ‘Battery L Encampment’ when Civil War soldiers take over the library’s front lawn, and ‘Medical Advancements During the Civil War’ presented by Dr. Peter D’Onofrio, President of the Society of Civil War Surgeons.

Below is a complete list of Events:

Please note that several programs are presented more than once at different locations for your convenience.

(Location key: P: Portsmouth branch, WH: Wheelersburg branch, SW: South Webster branch, NB: New Boston branch, LU: Lucasville branch, NW: Northwest branch)

Kickoff-10/15 at 11am @ P

Join us for the exciting beginning of our Civil War Series. There will be refreshments, re-enactors, and much more fun to be had.

Archive-a-Thon- 10/15 from 10am-6pm @ P

Most of us have a treasured historical photo or item. Bring it to the Main library any time today and allow us to scan it, photograph it, and teach you how to preserve it.

Ohio Historical Society ‘Case Histories’ Display- 10/15-10/27 @ P

The Ohio Historical Society has loaned the Portsmouth Public Library two of their ‘Case History’ boxes. Each box contains items that help define and explain a particular era in history. We will be displaying the “Life of a Civil War Soldier”case and the “Underground Railroad” case. The ‘Life of a Civil War soldier case contains items that a Union soldier would have carried with him into battle as well as the drawings that were done by Henry Otis Dwight while he served in the Ohio Volunteer Infantry 20th Regiment. The ‘Underground Railroad’ case contains the stories of escaped slaves and those who assisted their flight.

Girls’ Reading Club- Little Women- 10/15 at 6pm @ P

The Girls’ Reading Club will be reading Little Women this month. When they finish the book they will meet to watch the video version and enjoy a Civil War themed event.

An Evening with Harriet Tubman- 10/16 at 6pm @ P

Scioto County native Portia Williams has a long list of talents to her credit. One of which is that of being a gifted actress. She will be showing off her skills as she portrays one of history’s most celebrated icons; Harriet Tubman. Come and watch as history comes alive.

Civil War Quilts- 10/18 at 6:30pm @ P

Cecilia Morris, as well as other members of the ‘Down by the River Quilt Guild,’ will be offering an opportunity for patrons to come and learn about the role quilts played in the Civil War, the symbolism of various quilt patterns, and even view several reproduction Civil War Era Quilts.

Movie Showing (Glory)- 10/19 at 2pm @ NB

Don’t miss the opportunity to watch the 1981 film, ‘Glory,’ starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes and Morgan Freeman. This film is based on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first formal unit of the US Army to be made up entirely of African American men, as told from the point of view of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, its commanding officer.

Movie Showing (Secrets of the Civil War : the stories of lost battles and covert missions finally revealed)- 10/20 at 1pm @ LU

Even today, almost 150 years after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House, unexpected secrets and little-known stories continue to emerge from Civil War history. Don’t miss this look into the Secrets of the Civil War.

Col. Charles D. Whitt Presentation-10/20 at 2pm @ P

Author of eight published works, Colonel Charles Dahman Whitt is extremely knowledgeable about history and the study of genealogy. In addition to writing books about the Civil War era, he also participates as a re-enactor portraying a southern colonel at events all over the country. Mr. Whitt will be speaking, in period clothing, about the Civil War era as well as his books; “The South Won, What If?,” “Confederate American,” and “Legacy 2nd Edition, The Days of David Crockett Whitt.”

Nutrition and Food Preparation in the Civil War-10/22 at 4:30pm @ P

The standards for nutrition and safe food preparation have changed a lot since the days of the Civil War. The Ohio State University Extension Nutrition Division will be sharing the details of what mealtime looked like for soldiers during this time. There will even be samples of typical foods eaten by soldiers on both sides.

Ohio in the Civil War-10/22 at 6pm @ P

Carol Cartaino and Denvis Earls, authors of It Happened in Ohio: Remarkable Events that Shaped History will be speaking about the role Ohio played in the Civil War.

Irish Regiments in the Civil War-10/23 at 6pm @ P

John Hogan, owner of the Port City Café and Irish Pub, will be speaking about the history and influence of the all-Irish regiments of the Civil War. He will even have some interesting artifacts to view.

Civil War Style Drum Making (for kids)- 10/23 at 6pm @ P

Kids can come and make drums like those used by the regiments of the Civil War.

Scioto County in the Civil War- 10/24 at 4pm @ LU

Our Local History Department has heavily researched the specific role that Scioto County played in the Civil War. A Local History representative will be sharing the findings from that research in a very informative presentation.

Movie Showing (Secrets of the Civil War : the stories of lost battles and covert missions finally revealed)- 10/25 at 1pm @ WH

Repeat program- Even today, almost 150 years after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House, unexpected secrets and little-known stories continue to emerge from Civil War history. Don’t miss this look into the Secrets of the Civil War.

Scrapbooking: Then and Now- 10/26 at 3pm @ P

Keeping mementos of friends and family was very important in the lives of Civil War era families. We do the same thing today through scrapbooking. Join us and learn how families of the Civil War era saved and preserved their mementos as well as some newer methods of scrapbooking including how to document your family’s military service or visit to a Civil War battlefield.

The Amazing Race- 10/27 at 12pm @ P

Teams of three are invited to take part in the library’s first ever Amazing Race. Teams will meet at the Main library to receive their first clue. Clues will lead them to different historical locations in Portsmouth. The team with the most clues solved at the end of the race will get a prize. *Teams must provide their own digital camera and bring a cell phone.

Battery L Encampment- 10/27 from 11am-4pm @ P

Civil War soldiers are taking over the library’s front lawn! The Battery L Reenactment Troop will be hosting an encampment on the Main library’s front lawn. Visitors are invited to speak with the re-enactors, view their activities and ask questions.

Nutrition and Food Preparation in the Civil War-10/29 at 4:30pm @ NB

Repeat program-The standards for nutrition and safe food preparation have changed a lot since the days of the Civil War. The Ohio State University Extension Nutrition Division will be sharing the details of what mealtime looked like for soldiers during this time. There will even be samples of typical foods eaten by soldiers on both sides.

Scioto County in the Civil War- 11/1 at 4pm @ NB

Repeat program- Our Local History Department has heavily researched the specific role that Scioto County played in the Civil War. A Local History representative will be sharing the findings from that research in a very informative presentation.

Portsmouth at Gettysburg by Chip Horr- 11/1 at 6pm @ P

Chip Horr, member of Battery L, local re-enactment unit, will speak on Scioto County’s 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery L and its place in history at the battle of Gettysburg.

Scrapbooking: Then and Now- 11/2 at 3pm @ WH

Repeat program- Keeping mementos of friends and family was very important in the lives of Civil War era families. We do the same thing today through scrapbooking. Join us and learn how families of the Civil War era saved and preserved their mementos, as well as some newer methods of scrapbooking, including how to document your family’s military service or visit to a Civil War battlefield.

Ohioans of Color in the Civil War- 11/3 at 2pm @ P

A chronicle of how, where, and why African-Americans served in the Civil War. This lecture especially focuses on the men of color whose homes were in the Scioto Valley and gave up much to defend a country they considered theirs even though disenfranchised. It includes a display of pictures, documents, letters, and stories of these heroic and overlooked men. Presented by Beverly Gray of the Ross County Historical Society’s Speakers Bureau.

Medical Advancements During the Civil War- 11/5 at 6pm @ P The Civil War was the first modern war and resulted in the highest number of U.S. casualties per capita of any of our wars as approximately 620,000 men perished, including 360,000 in the North and 260,000 in the South; 25% of those involved died. These casualties exceeded those of all other U.S. wars and affected nearly every family in the North and South. What are not often understood or appreciated now are the rapid advancements made in American medicine that were stimulated by this conflict. This presentation explains those advances and their impact on the subsequent development of American Medicine. Presented by Dr. Peter D’Onofrio, President of the Society of Civil War Surgeons.

Movie Showing (Glory)- 11/6 at 3pm @ SW

Repeat program- Don’t miss the opportunity to watch the 1981 film, ‘Glory,’ starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes and Morgan Freeman. This film is based on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first formal unit of the US Army to be made up entirely of African American men, as told from the point of view of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, its commanding officer.

Scrapbooking: Then and Now- 11/8 at 3pm @ NB

Repeat program- Keeping mementos of friends and family was very important in the lives of Civil War era families. We do the same thing today through scrapbooking. Join us and learn how families of the Civil War era saved and preserved their mementos, as well as some newer methods of scrapbooking, including how to document your family’s military service or visit to a Civil War battlefield.

Morgan’s Raiders-11/10 at 2pm @ P

Professor Andrew Fite will be speaking about Morgan’s Raiders in Southern Ohio.

As always all programs are free and open to the public. We hope you will join us for these exciting events. If you would like more information please call 740-354-5688 ext. 10513 or visit the library’s website www.yourppl.org