MOUNT VERNON — This year marks the 150th anniversary of the outbreak of America’s Civil War, an event that spanned the years from 1861 to 1865. The Knox County Historical Society is planning a number of special events and exhibits to commemorate Knox County’s participation in the war, and the first of these will be at the Wednesday meeting at the museum, 875 Harcourt Road, at 7:30 p.m.
The evening’s program, “Women in the Civil War,” will be presented by Dr. Roxanne Baumgartner of Loudonville, and will highlight women who not only provided traditional military support, but also those who disguised themselves as soldiers and fought alongside their male counterparts.
Baumgartner is retired following her medical career in the military as a pathologist, and continues her work now as a veterinarian pathologist from her home in Loudonville. She has done extensive research to qualify their historic residence for National Register status, and she continues to pursue her interest in topics of fashion, architecture and social customs of the 19th century.
The April meeting of the historical society also serves as the group’s annual meeting, at which trustees are elected to the board. In addition, the Mark Schwendener family will present to the society the special donation of an original handwritten letter, dated 1794, from Gen. Henry Knox, for whom Knox County was named in 1808.
The Wednesday evening meeting is free and open to the public. All persons interested in area history are encouraged to attend. For more information, call the museum at 393-5247.
Published on April 6, 2011
