The American Civil War: Treasures from the Vault

  • Starts: 9:00 am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
  • Ends: 4:30 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
The American Civil War: Treasures from the Vault: A new exhibition of original historical documents from the collections at the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center. This major exhibition explores, from a variety of perspectives and categories, the causes, reactions, and responses to the great nineteenth-century conflict that divided the fledgling nation of the Unites States of America. This is accomplished with a broad selection of original manuscript pieces: letters, journals, maps, official documents and publications, all selected from collections held in the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center. Among the collections involved, the Military Historical Society of Massachusetts and the First Corps of Cadets present a close view of the part Massachusetts played in the conflict. Categories explored in the exhibition include slavery, emancipation, Abraham Lincoln, his Cabinet, and his assassination, the armies of both sides, the Union navy, and the difficulties faced post-war. There are also investigations into slave narratives, the relatively new art of photography, poetry and popular music of the day, to name a few. Some of the rare items on display include a Richmond, Virginia ledger recording the capture and return of runaway slaves, dated April 1854 - July 1856, shown along with a handwritten bill of sale for a young boy. There are letters from Lincoln and his various Cabinet members: Secretary of War Simon Cameron, Secretary of the Interior Caleb B. Smith, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, and Secretary of State William Seward. Also shown is an extremely rare wanted poster, issued by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, with tipped-on photographs of conspirators John Surratt and David Herold, as well as the assassin himself, John Wilkes Booth. Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation as the Gotlieb Center celebrates its own 50th Anniversary as a repository of both contemporary and historical figures. Limited Engagement, March 2013 – August 2013, Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Boston University, Richards-Frost Room, 771 Commonwealth Avenue, First Floor
Event Open To
public
Building
Mugar Memorial Library
Room
Richards-Frost Room
Show Fees
free
Contact Organization
Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center
Contact Name
Christopher Gately
Information Phone
(617) 353-3696
Contact Email
cfgately@bu.edu
Show Who
yes
Show Contact
yes