PRESQUE ISLE — One hundred fifty years ago, this country suffered the largest death toll from any war our nation has ever been involved in. These are well-known facts about the Civil War. It is, however, not well known what the impact was on those left behind. With communities far away from the actual battlefields such as here in northern Maine, it is generally believed that there were no consequences. This is definitely not the case.
Recently, four local organizations have partnered to receive a collaborative grant, “Local & Legendary: Maine in the Civil War.” The Presque Isle Historical Society, Northern Maine Community College, Presque Isle Middle School and the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library have been awarded a grant to study the local impact and educate the community on the findings. This program is funded, or supported, and made possible by a grant from the Maine Historical Society and Maine Humanities Council, with the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
This will be a year-long effort and will include an online exhibit on Maine Memory Network, a one-man interactive play for a high school audience on the decision many men who served in the Civil War had to make as to whether to return home or go elsewhere, four readings on various Civil War materials with the community, and much more. The grantees will hold a kickoff celebration for the public on Monday, Oct. 7, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Edmunds Conference Room at Northern Maine Community College. The celebration will include live Civil War music performed by Frank Grant and Doug Drew, light refreshments, an overview of the project, the unveiling of NMCC’s newest READ poster and an appearance by local educator Jeff Roberts in Civil War uniform. The grant will culminate next spring with a final celebration including an exhibit of Civil War artifacts from the Historical Society’s collections and a report of the findings from the project.
Presque Isle Historical Society is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to study, preserve and promote the history, culture, heritage and physical artifacts of Presque Isle for present and future generations. For more information on the organization, to make a tax deductible donation, or to obtain dates and times of other upcoming events, call the Society at 762-1151 or visit www.pihistory.org.
