Historical society presents '1862 in 48 Minutes' Jan. 23
As the nation continues to honor the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, which began on April 12, 1861 and ended on April 9, 1865, the Warrenville Historical Society is continuing its four-year program, “Warrenville & the American Civil War.” This series of programs and exhibits centers on Warrenville in the greater context of the United States' struggle to maintain a unified union.
At the time the fighting broke out, Warrenville and DuPage County had been a center for the Abolitionist Movement for over a decade, and the strong sense of the injustices of slavery spurred 50 volunteers from Warrenville to fight for the cause over the four-year war.
By the beginning of 1862, 13 men had left for Warrenville to fight in the war. During the course of 1862, 25 more brave men would volunteer to fight for the Union. Tragically, 1862 would also see Warrenville's first war casualty, Ashley Carpenter, Colonel Warren's nephew.
At 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, the Warrenville Historical Society will host “1862 in 48 Minutes,” a program detailing the year month by month, highlighting local and national events. Aided by a presentation of images, presenters will detail life in Warrenville and the events our country was facing with the Civil War.
The program will be held at the Warrenville Public Library, 28W751 Stafford Place. No admission fee will be charged and light refreshments will be served.
When the Warrenville Historical Museum and Art Gallery reopens on Sunday, Feb. 5, the year 1862 will also be featured in a new exhibit that will run through the end of November. Those wishing to relive the historic year can also check out the Historical Societies blog, www.warrenvillehistorical.wordpress.com, where 1862 will be detailed through posts from the diary of Hiram E. Leonard, as well as Ashley Carpenter's wartime diary.
Please visit our website at www.warrenvillehistorical.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about these events and other Historical Society programs. Contact info@warrenvillehistorical.org or (630) 393-4215 with any questions.