The West Virginia Humanities Council established its Sesquicentennial Speakers Bureau to help organizations around the state observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial and strengthen their related programs. Now in its fourth year, the bureau offers scholars from state colleges and universities speaking on Civil War and West Virginia statehood topics.
For 2014 the bureau welcomes new speakers and new lecture topics. Beginning February 1, speakers are available for presentations through October 31, 2014. The Humanities Council covers the honorarium of the speakers and provides promotional assistance with each program. Host groups should be able to provide an audience of at least forty people and any lodging costs that might be required.
Speakers are available to groups such as historical societies; sites including museums, colleges, libraries, and reenactment events; and other community organizations. All programs must be publicized and free to the public. Requests for speakers should be received no later than the 10th of the month prior to the presentation month; for example, May 10th for a June 20th presentation. The program has booked more than 45 lectures over the past three years in communities all across the state. Advance scheduling is advised.
The topics and speakers for 2014 are:
“Mothers of Martyrs: Women and Civil War Commemoration” by Katherine Antolini, history professor at West Virginia Wesleyan College;
“Methodists and West Virginia Statehood” by Matthew Foulds, history professor at Shepherd University;
“The Common Soldier in the Civil War” by Jason Phillips, history professor at West Virginia University;
“Revisiting the Emancipation Proclamation: West Virginia and Beyond” by Michael Woods, history professor at Marshall University.
Groups interested in scheduling a speaker should contact Humanities Council program officer Mark Payne at 304-346-8500 or payne@wvhumanities.org.