Civil War Summer Lecture Series

John Schildt hardly needs an introduction. He is well known for his many books relating the various aspects of the Maryland Campaign of 1862 and local history. Reverend Schildt graduated from Shepherd College, Wesley Theological Seminary and has studied at Western Maryland College, Gettysburg Seminary and West Virginia University.

Rev. Schildt was introduced to Civil War history by his great-grandmother who fed Union troops on the way to Gettysburg when she was a little girl. John has been a lecturer and guide for the Gettysburg College Civil War Institute, Bud Robertson’s “Campaigning with Lee”, the Chicago Civil War Round Table, and many other groups. He was the main speaker at the 125th anniversary of Antietam. Outside of Civil War history, John has led three educational excursions to Normandy and took part in the American and French commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the D-day landing in 1994. While leading explorations, he likes to make history come alive by sharing human interest stories about people and places. Having been a lifelong student of Antietam, John has written many books on the subject, including “September Echoes,” “Drums along the Antietam,” “Roads to Antietam,” and several others.

Rev. Schildt will present the final talk in this year’s Summer Lecture Series talks on Wednesday, August 31st with “Four Days in October”.  The Valley of the Antietam has heard the beat of Indian drums, the drum beat of revivalism, and the drums of the Blue and the Gray during the Maryland Campaign of 1862 . But two weeks after the battle the drums beat again. This time in honor of the visit of the President, Abraham Lincoln. John will discuss the story of Mr. Lincoln’s visit to Antietam, telling why he came, how he arrived, and what he did during those eventful days when he made history by walking over the hills around Sharpsburg.

Come join leading historians, Antietam Battlefield Guides, NPS volunteer interpreters and living historians as they discuss intriguing topics of the Maryland Campaign of 1862 and the Civil War during our Civil War Summer Lecture Series.

These Wednesday evening programs are free and open to the public.  They will be held outdoors on the grounds of the Jacob Rohrbach Inn at 7:oo p.m.  Feel free to bring a chair or blanket to sit around the event tent. In case of inclement weather talks will be moved to the Sharpsburg Christ Reformed United Church of Christ. Parking is available on Main and Hall Streets.
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