The Civil War Through A Newlywed’s Eyes

At Gunn Museum

WASHINGTON — Civil War reenactor Mary Lou Pavlick will present “A Newlywed Wife Brings The Civil War To Life,” a first-person presentation to be offered at Gunn Memorial Library on Sunday, September 11, at 1 pm.

Assuming the role of Mary Ann Lewis Bronson, a young wife during the Civil War and Ms Pavlick’s great-great-grandmother and namesake, “Mary Ann” shares her opinions and observations of the War from a Northern lady’s point of view. She also relates the harrowing experiences of Mary Ann’s husband, Dr George Bronson, by sharing six of his precious letters with the audience, from his embarkation in 1861 to the war’s end in 1865.

The program is free and the museum’s exhibit “Letters from the Battlefield: Washington’s Civil War Soldiers” will be open before and after the presentation.

Dr George Bronson married Mary Ann Lewis on September 5, 1861. Five weeks later, Dr Bronson enlisted in the Union Army with the 11th Connecticut Volunteer Regiment. Much to his newlywed wife’s horror and disbelief, George enlisted as a private. This rank was to be short lived and he served proudly for four years as Hospital Steward.

The only contact that the newlyweds had was through their correspondence. The family has preserved 44 of George’s original letters to Mary Ann.

The library is at 5 Wykeham Road, just off Route 47 in Washington Green. Call 860-868-7586 or visit GunnLibrary.org for additional information.