Grayslake museum programs showcase end of Civil War

The Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum, working in partnership the Grayslake Historical Society, will participate in Bells Across the Land to commemorate the end of the Civil War Thursday, April 9, at 2 p.m.

The National Park Service is encouraging organizations with bells to join them in a nationwide observance on this day, which marks the 150th anniversary of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's surrender to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse.

Organizations with bells are encouraged to ring them for four minutes beginning at 2:15 Central Time, to mark each year of the war. Prior to ringing the bell at the museum, Grayslake Historical Society volunteers, museum staff and community members are invited to participate in singing popular songs of the Civil War at 2 p.m. Executive Director Dave Oberg will be wearing a Union artillery uniform and Grayslake Historical Society President Charlotte Renehan will be dressed in Civil War-era attire.

Visit the museum and help observe this solemn occasion or ring your own bell at 2:15 p.m.

Later that evening, the Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum will host the Lake County Civil War Roundtable, with a special program scheduled for 7 p.m. The Roundtable will welcome Jerry Kowalski, who will portray Union General George Thomas. General Thomas will look back on his life and career from the vantage point of April 9, 1865, exactly 150 years ago.

The museum is also staging a program to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the death of Abraham Lincoln. On Saturday, April 11, at 2 p.m., actress Lynn Rymarz will portray Mary Surratt, charged as a conspirator in the assassination of President Lincoln. There is a suggested donation of $3 for adults and $1 for children for Rymarz's performance.

For more information, visit www.grayslakeheritagecenter.com, call (847) 543-1745 or email doberg@villageofgrayslake.com. For more information about the Grayslake Historical Society, visit www.grayslakehistory.org, call (847) 223-7663 or email charenehan@aol.com.