
We will be kicking off our 2026 Civil War Lecture Series on Monday, June 1st, with historian James L. McLean, Jr., telling the unique story of the 14th New York State Militia (14th Brooklyn) and the regiment’s actions in the 1862 Maryland Campaign. The 14th New York State Militia, nicknamed the “14th Brooklyn,” “Brooklyn…

Join us on September 5 as Institute member Cindy Cohrs-Brandt explores the battlefield experiences of two Union regiments at Antietam: the veteran 34th New York and the newly raised 13th New Jersey. Shaped by prior combat in the Peninsular Campaign, the 34th New York entered the battle as seasoned soldiers, while the 13th New…

Join us on Saturday, August 1, to learn about the Union Veterans’ Association of Maryland by Institute member and relic collector, Kevin Boyer. The Union Veterans’ Association of Maryland was a Civil War veteran’s organization unique to this state. The presentation will discuss the history, badges, ribbons, and ephemera of this group. Several Maryland…

My interest in the American Civil War and the Battle of Antietam in particular occurred many years ago when I was told the story of a young man named Henry. In August of 1862, Henry, who was from Montour County, Pennsylvania answered President Abraham Lincoln’s call for 300,000 nine-month militia. Henry enlisted in the…

Our First Saturday programs are back, and this year’s theme is “Ancestors at Antietam”. We’ve invited several Institute members who had ancestors who fought at Antietam, or have unique connections with Sharpsburg, to tell us a little about their ancestor and/or their experiences. Join us on April 4, to hear Laurie Buckler Mack share…