Civil War Exhibit Opening And Encampment

WASHINGTON GREEN — Gunn Memorial Museum will host the opening its spring-summer exhibit, “Letters from the Battlefield: Stories of Washington’s Civil War Soldiers,” to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War on Sunday, May 1, from 10 am to 4 pm.

The exhibit traces the evolution of Washington from a slavery-supporting community to one that came out strongly on the side of the abolitionist forces. Civil War letters, pictures and artifacts from local families and the museum’s collection are used to explore the lives of Washington’s soldiers, sharing their stories of bravery and horror.

Features of this exhibit include the research of Shepaug Valley Middle School’s eighth grade students, who transcribed Civil War letters from the collection of The Gunn Museum; Civil War artifacts from noted collector Thomas Zanavich and others; Civil War murals painted on the walls of the museum by local artists Keith Templeton, Chris Zaima and Susan Newbury; and the research done by Zachary Bodnar, a student at The Gunnery School, on Frederick Gunn’s abolitionist views and the students he prepared for war.

The collaborative research project and exhibit will be on display through October 30.

To coincide with the opening of the exhibit on Sunday May 1, a Civil War Encampment will take place on the grounds of the Museum from 10 am to 4 pm, with numerous living history reeneactors depicting soldier and civilian life. Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Frederick Gunn and others will be in attendance to witness military drills, camp life, wartime medical practices, blacksmithing, firing demonstrations, and more. An authentic Civil War Gatling Gun will be firing throughout the day.

A Civil War Church Service will be conducted at the First Congregational Church on Washington Green with period hymns, sermon and reenactor participation from 10:30 to 11:30 am; all are invited to attend.

Descendants of Washington’s Civil War soldiers from across the country will be present for a remembrance ceremony to honor their ancestors at noon. Edith Nettleton, the 102 year old granddaughter of Washington Civil War soldier Samuel Jay Nettleton, will be the afternoon’s guest of honor.

All of the events are free and open to the public.

Gunn Memorial Museum is at 5 Wykeham Road, at the intersection of Wykeham Road and Route 47, on Washington Green. Call 860-868-7756 or visit GunnLibrary.org for more information.