On the two-year anniversary of the founding of the Antietam Institute, Vice President Jim Rosebrock surprised President Chris Vincent at the February Board meeting with the presentation of the Founder’s Award recognizing Chris’s outstanding leadership and his vision and central role in establishing the Institute.
In its two years of existence, the Institute has steadily grown to over 230 members. It has sponsored four educational events, published the critically acclaimed Brigades of Antietam, and established the Antietam Journal., a scholarly publication distributed semiannually that promotes further study and research into the Maryland Campaign. Under Chris’s leadership, the Institute also created an internship program with Shepherd University, donated thousands of dollars to several important historical preservation efforts in the region, and established the Historical Research Center, an online repository of reference materials related to the Maryland Campaign.
The Founder’s Award is a one-time special award conceived by and paid for by Board members to recognize and thank Chris for his outstanding efforts.
The second annual appreciation event for members at the Honor Guard/Lifetime ($1,000) level was held on September 10. Noted historian and author Kevin Pawlak kicked off the event with a tour of the Battle of Shepherdstown. The excursion included a stop at the Osbourne Farm, an historic property encompassing the majority of the battlefield, yet rarely seen by the public and only recently rescued from developers. Wine, food and music at Antietam Creek Vineyards, located along the final attack route on Branch Avenue and owned by one of the Institute’s Corporate Sponsors, followed the tour.
Starting the tour at Ferry Hill Place, the childhood home of Henry Kyd Douglas
Kevin Pawlak provided an excellent tour of the Battle of Shepherdstown and the conclusion of the Maryland Campaign. Here are some highlights of the tour at the Shepherdstown Ford and the Osbourne Farm.
Group photo at the Osbourne Farm L to R: Bill Lowe, Lucas Cade, Mike Crume, Darin & Jan Wipperman, Erin Short, Chris Vincent, Jim Rosebrock. Jim Buchanan, Kevin Pawlak, Laura & Ed Marfut, Joe Stahl, and Sharon Murray. Randy Short photographer. Also attending the event at the winery were Miriam Cunningham, Amy Vincent and Julie Cade
It was a wonderful time at Antietam Creek Vineyards. Thanks to Joan, George and Kim.
Laura thanks Kevin for a great hike.
President Chris Vincent highlighted some of the activities the Institute has been conducting over the summer.
