The Library is pleased to host Civil War 150, a national traveling exhibit, on display from Monday, February 3 to Tuesday, February 25.  We are one of fifty sites nation-wide selected to host the exhibit.

Developed from letters, personal accounts and images, the display shows how people grappled with the end of slavery, the nature of democracy and citizenship, the human toll of civil war, and the role of a president in wartime.

The Library is sponsoring free programs in conection with the exhibit.  The kickoff program, "America's "Terrible Swift Sword": The Civil War at 150 Years", will be presented by Dr. Thomas Agostini, SDSU associate professor of history, on Thursday, January 30 at 7 pm.

On Tuesday, February 4 at 7 pm, join the discussion of the book, For Cause and Comrades; Why Men Fought in the Civil War.  Books are available in the Library's collection.

Local Civil War re-enactor Louise Coull will present "Life on the Home Front" on Thursday, February 6 at 7 pm.

The novel, My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira, will be discussed on Tuesday, February 11 at 6:30 pm.  This is the story of a midwife who dreams of being a surgeon and travels to Washington, DC to tend the Civil War wounded. 

On Thursday, February 20 at 7 pm, Ride into History, an historic performance touring troupe, will present in character "Fighting Beside My Brother".  There were a number of women who disguised themselves to fight with the men during the Civil War.

The Civil War 150 programming will wrap up with a showing of the movie, Lincoln, on Thursday, February 27 at 6:30 pm.

Developed by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in partnership with The Library of America, this exhibit was made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.