Historical Society plans for July 4, 2012

The Van Wert County Historical Society is already at work on the 2012 Holiday at Home celebration. Trustees of the Historical Society, along with Dave Walker and Chuck Eberle, are planning a commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, 1861-1865.

The historical society has been in contact with the Ohio History Service AmericCorps Program and will be meeting with the Region I director of the Civil War 150 Leadership Corps. Civil War re-enactors have been contacted and it is hoped that the historical society will have Confederate and Union encampments on the campus next July 4. There are rumors that there will be a skirmish between the two at the battle of Town Creek Foot Bridge.

A debate between Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis is being scheduled despite the busy lives of both presidents. There will be other guest speakers throughout the day providing their expertise on some aspect of the Civil War.

The traditional aspects of the July 4 Celebration will also continue. There will be crafters, music and activities for the youngsters with lunch being provided by the Rotary. Many of the Civil War activities will take place after 5 p.m. There are discussions about hosting a Civil War Ball in the evening as well as a hog roast. The committee will finalize plans by the end of the year so as to prepare a budget for the event.

Those who would like to share their ideas with the committee are urged to contact Eberle, Walker, Larry Webb, Joe Steffan, Chad Kraner, or Tom Mosier. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 21, at 7 p.m. in the museum’s annex.