Civil War

Kentucky played a unique role in the Civil War. Neither North nor South, our commonwealth was vital to but did not squarely side with the Union. Events early in the War led to a harsh federal occupation that saved Kentucky from destruction but alienated many Kentuckians from Kentucky-born president Lincoln, yielding up young men who fought for the Confederacy.

During the 2011-2014 commemoration of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, the Kentucky Humanities Council will offer many opportunities to learn about and reflect upon this troubled and tragic time in our history.

Kentucky Chautauqua® presents dramatic interpretations from Kentucky's Civil War story. Joining Abraham Lincoln, Henry Clay, Margaret Garner, Johnny Green, Justice John Marshall Harlan, Emilie Todd Helm, Billy Herndon, and Miss Dinnie Thompson, we'll add three new stories in August, 2011:

Mary Settles, the last survivor of the Pleasant Hill Shakers, was left at the village along with her infant when her husband learned she would be of no use in producing the large family he needed to farm in Missouri. Mary Settles saw the Civil War from the point of view of the Shakers, her adopted extended family.  Settles is portrayed by Janet Scott, who coaches opera students in theatre at UK and is an experiences actress with a career in New York.

Rev. Newton Bush was in the Company "E" 5th United States Colored Cavalry who mustered in at Camp Nelson, was wonded at Simpsonville, and worked to try to get a pension on behalf of a widow of a fallen soldier from the Simpsonville massacre. Rev. Bush is portrayed by Robert Bell, a veteran re-enactor and member of the Kentucky Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission.

John G. Fee was an abolitionist and founder of Berea College. Fee gave up his comfortable life and his property to pursue the cause of abolition, and to dedicate himself to providing the education he believed was equally important to true emancipation. He is portrayed by Obadiah Ewing-Roush, an MFA student in theatre at the University of Louisville.

Speakers
From our catalog of outstanding speakers, you will find some fascinating Civil War topics. Just look for the Civil War designation.

Kentucky Humanities magazine
You can count on us to look for untold stories of Kentucky's Civil War and deliver them to your door twice each year.

Your Ideas
Have your own ideas to explore? A Kentucky Humanities Council minigrant might be helpful.  Please check our guidelines,