Dunker Church – Antietam Institute

“One of Abraham Lincoln’s 300,000: The 125th Pennsylvania Infantry” – D. Scott Kenepp

Learn about the recruitment and muster of the 125th Pennsylvania. See how this newly organized unit behaved in battle for the first time. How did the mortal wounding of XII Corps commander Joseph Mansfield change the trajectory of the 125th Pennsylvania? Follow the track of the regiment across the field as it engages the enemy. Experience some of the stories of the participants and explore the memorialization and dedication efforts of the unit’s monument on September 17, 1904. On May 2, Institute historian Scott Kenepp will follow in the footsteps of “One of Abraham Lincoln’s 300,000: The 125th Pennsylvania Infantry.”

D. Scott Kenepp retired with 37 years of government service from the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community performing Geospatial Intelligence Production, Analytic Tradecraft, and Strategic Resource Management. He developed and executed multiple analytic staff rides supporting two federal agencies with Intelligence Analysis. Scott earned a Geography degree from Penn State University and a Masters in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University. He is a Volunteer and Licensed Battlefield Guide at Antietam National Battlefield Park.

This two-hour hike covers approximately 1 ½ miles, across moderate terrain and park trails. All excursions will run from 9:30 to 11:30 am and start at the Visitor Center overflow parking area. The “Following in the Footsteps” hikes are for current members only, and advance registration is required (login before registering), but there is no fee to attend. Members are required to purchase the park entrance pass at the Visitor Center.

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“Little-Known Antietam: Henry Winters and ‘Mystery and Murder at the Lodge'” – Tom McMillan

Dunker Church window sill – HENRY WINTERS

On July 21, author Tom McMillan will present – “Little-Known Antietam: Henry Winters and ‘Mystery and Murder at the Lodge‘.” Tom will take a look at two of the intriguing but lesser-known stories at Antietam. Henry Winters of the 89th New York Infantry carved his name on a windowsill at the Dunker Church — a piece of Civil War graffiti that still is visible to visitors today. But who was Henry? Why did he leave his mark? When did he come back? The second story involves two Antietam-related murder mysteries, one of which took place at the National Cemetery lodge, the other targeting a battlefield superintendent.

Tom McMillan has spent a lifetime in sports media and communications – including 25 years as VP of Communications of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL – but his heartfelt passion is history. The author of four books on American history, he has served on the board of trustees of Pittsburgh’s Heinz History Center, the board of directors of the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, the marketing committee of the Gettysburg Foundation, and as a docent at the Thomas Espy GAR Post in Carnegie, PA.. Tom and his wife, Colleen, are also volunteer ambassadors at Antietam. A former newspaper sports writer and radio talk-show host who has covered the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup Finals and the NCAA Final Four, he earned a journalism degree from Point Park University in Pittsburgh.

Come join leading historians and scholars as they discuss intriguing topics about their latest works and research on the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War during our Civil War Summer Lecture Series. See the complete 2025 schedule.

These indoors programs are held in McKinley Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 209W Main Street with a small parking area off the alley. More parking is available on Main and Hall Streets. These lectures free and open to the public. Each week we hold a drawing in which the proceeds support the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. Be sure to check our Facebook page for updates and changes to the schedule.