The Battle of Antietam: One of the 'Worst Days in American History,' and 3 Events Commemorating Maryland in The Civil War

Marking the 150^th Anniversary of Antietam, The Maryland Historical Society presents special lectures, living-history performances, and the launch of a new book on Maryland's Civil War photographs

BALTIMORE, Sept. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Antietam, Sharpsburg, whatever you want to call it – September 17, 1862 was one of the worst days in American history," says Burton Kummerow, President of the Maryland Historical Society. During the Battle of Antietam, "tens of thousands of young citizen soldiers marched onto the killing grounds with old tactics and new, deadly weapons."

When the smoke cleared 12 hours later, more than 23,000 soldiers were killed and wounded. History books tell us that the Battle of Antietam was a questionable Union victory, which eventually led to President Lincoln's unveiling of the Emancipation Proclamation, Kummerow continues. "But the real story… what poet Walt Whitman said would never get in the books, was the appalling casualty count harvested in the fields around Sharpsburg. It was a season of suffering."

To commemorate the 150^th Anniversary of Antietam, The Maryland Historical Society is hosting three special events:

• On Saturday, September 22 at 2 p.m.: The Maryland Historical Society Players will hold a special performance of their Divided Voices: Maryland in the Civil War Outreach Tour. This "living history" program features actors portraying Clara Barton, the "Angel of the Battlefield," and Christian Fleetwood, one of the first African-Americans to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery. The program is co-sponsored by The Maryland Humanities Council and the Maryland Historical Society. Location: the France-Merrick Auditorium. Tickets are $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 children and FREE for members. Reservations are not required.
• Friday, September 28 at 6 p.m., join Ross J. Kelbaugh as he discusses his new book, "Maryland's Civil War Photographs: The Sesquicentennial Collections." A reception will follow at 7 p.m. Admission to the lecture is $10 for non-members and FREE for members. We will also introduce a new 3-D photo show about the Battle of Antietam in our outstanding Civil War Gallery.
• And on Saturday, September 29, is Smithsonian Museum Day with free admission to our museum. From 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.: Learn about the "Season of Antietam" Medicine & Photography. There will be lectures, tours, demonstrations and performances interpreting medicine and photography during the Civil War. The events are included with the regular price of admission to the museum: $6 adults, $5 seniors and $4 children and FREE for members.

Founded in 1844, The Maryland Historical Society Museum and Library occupies an entire city block in the Mount Vernon district of Baltimore. The society's mission is to "collect, preserve, and interpret the objects and materials that reflect Maryland's diverse cultural heritage." The Society is home to the original manuscript of the Star-Spangled Banner and publishes a quarterly titled "Maryland Historical Magazine."

For more information, contact Marketing Director Laura Rodini at 410-685-3750 Ext. 322 or [email protected].

SOURCE The Maryland Historical Society