LaVergne's role in the Civil War to be remembered

Feb 14, 2013 at 05:00 am by bryan


The La Vergne Public Library is commemorating the sesquicentennial of the Civil War with multiple special events, guest speakers, and presentations from February 16-23. 

“Given that several members of the library’s staff grew up in and around La Vergne, we’ve taken great interest in the role that Middle Tennessee played in the Civil War,” said Assistant Library Director Paula Donahue. “Since this year marks its sesquicentennial, we are proud to take this opportunity to share with the community the area’s significant cultural and historical contributions to the war.”

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The library’s observance of the war’s 150th anniversary begins on February 16 at 1:00 p.m., with a local historian recounting La Vergne’s role in the events that culminated with the Battle of Stones River, as well as detailing the artifacts and relics that were discovered during the excavation of the land on which the library was built.  At 2:00 p.m., there will be a special Civil War-related storytime and craft project for children. The afternoon’s programs conclude with a 2:30 p.m. presentation on the life of Mary Kate Patterson, a local female spy for the Confederacy.

The award-winning film “Glory” will be the focus of the event held on February 19 at 6:00 p.m., with a showing of the documentaries “The True Story of Glory Continues” and “Voices of Glory,” which shed light on some of the ways in which African Americans made vital contributions to the war. 

The remembrance continues with a “Finding Your Civil War Ancestors” genealogical demonstration on February 21 at 3:00 p.m.

The special events draw to a close on February 23, beginning at 11:00 a.m., when the library welcomes a representative from the Sam Davis Home for the presentation “Patting Juba.” This children’s program will explore African American life and culture in the South during the 19th century with a concentration on the role that music played in their lives both historically and today.  At 1:30 p.m., a representative from the Stones River Battlefield will deliver a presentation about the historic conflict.  Finally, at 3:00 p.m., the library hosts “A Day in the Life of a Civil War Era Woman,” which will detail what day-to-day life – including activities and style of dress - was like for an average woman during the war.

Photo:Army mail wagon in LaVergne (illustration from civil war period)

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