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150 Years | Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial

The Commission

Join the Sesquicentennial Commemoration

Order your license plate today and support Civil War Battlefield preservation and the Tennessee Civil War Trails program

The Mission of the Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission

The Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission was created to lead the state's efforts in commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Governor Bredesen appointed the 24 members of the Commission including Civil War scholars, professors, state historian, state legislators, and tourism professionals.

The goal of the Commission is to educate the public, promote the commemoration, and preserve the lands and legacies of the Civil War, by engaging individuals and communities in an accurate and inclusive portrayal of Tennessee's contributions to the Civil War. During the multi-year commemoration, the Commission's goal is to bring about an understanding of the past to improve relations in the present and leave a lasting legacy for the future. Our mission is to lead a state effort to promote, fund and preserve the complete story of Tennessee's Civil War and its legacy. Click to learn more about the Commission's Action Plan.

For press related inquiries, contact Cindy Dupree, Director of Communications, TDTD. For information about Tennessee's Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission or Tennessee's Civil War Trails Program, contact Patricia Gray, Research Development Coordinator, TDTD, 615-741-9004 or Lee Curtis, Director of Program Development, TDTD at 615-741-9045

How Can I Get Involved?

  • Ask a question. Contact Patricia Gray, Research Development Coordinator, TDTD.
  • Purchase the Sesquicentennial Civil War License Plate online.

Member Directory

A complete listing of all Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission members.

  • Susan Whitaker, Chair Title: Commissioner Phone: 615-741-9001 Email: Susan.Whitaker@
    tn.gov
    Organization: Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Link: Website
  • Dr. Carroll Van West, Co-Chair Title: Executive Director Phone: 615-898-2947 Email: cwest@
    mtsu.edu
    Organization: Center for Historic Preservation, MTSU; Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area Link: Website
  • Lee Curtis Title: Director of Program Development Phone: 615-741-9045 Email: Lee.Curtis@
    tn.gov
    Organization: Department of Tourist Development Link: Website
  • Jeremy Harrell Title: Director for Constituent Services and Community Phone: 615-253-7761 Email: jeremy.harrell@
    tn.gov
    Organization: Governor's Office, State Capitol Link: Website
  • Representative Joe Armstrong Title: Representative Phone: 615-741-0768 Email: rep.joe.armstrong@
    capitol.tn.gov
    Organization: House of Representatives Link: Website
  • Dr. Michael R. Bradley Title: Professor Emeritus Email: michaelrbradley@
    lighttube.net
    Organization: Sons of Confederate Veterans
  • Lisa Oakley Title: Curator of Education Phone: 865-215-8824 Email: oakley@
    east-tennessee-history.org
    Organization: East Tennessee Historical Society Link: Website
  • Ann Toplovich Title: Executive Director Phone: 615-741-8934 Email: atop@
    tennesseehistory.org
    Organization: Tennessee Historical Society Link: Website
  • Bill Radcliffe Title: Military Affairs Committee Head Email: normhill1@
    msn.com
    Organization: 13th U.S. Colored Troops Infantry re-enactors Link: Website
  • Dr. Reavis Mitchell Title: Division Chair/Director Phone: 615-329-8610 Email: rmitchel@
    fisk.edu
    Organization: Department of History, Fisk University Link: Website
  • Dr. Wayne Moore Title: Assistant State Archivist Phone: 615-253-3458 Email: Wayne.Moore@
    tn.gov
    Organization: Tennessee Library and Archives Link: Website
  • Elaine Turner Title: President, Heritage Tours Phone: 901-527-3427 Email: heritagetours@
    bellsouth.net
    Organization: Manager, Slave Haven Underground Museum Link: Website
  • Fred Prouty Title: Director of Programs Phone: 615-532-1550 Email: Fred.Prouty@
    tn.gov
    Organization: Tennessee Wars Commission Link: Website
  • Laura Holder Title: Manager Phone: 615-898-2947 Email: lholder@
    mtsu.edu
    Organization: Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area Link: Website
  • Lois Riggins-Ezzell Title: Executive Director Phone: 615-741-2692 Email: Lois.Riggins-Ezzell@
    tn.gov
    Organization: Tennessee State Museum Link: Website
  • Mary Ann Peckham Title: Executive Director Phone: 404-550-5092 Email: mapeckham@
    aol.com
    Organization: Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association Link: Website
  • Norman Hill Title: President Phone: 615-444-5533 Email: nhill@
    CBRLGroup.com
    Organization: Cracker Barrel Foundation, Cracker Barrel Corp. Link: Website
  • Patrick McIntyre Title: Executive Director Phone: 615-532-1550 Email: Patrick.McIntyre@
    tn.gov
    Organization: Tennessee Historical Commission Link: Website
  • Rep. Steve McDaniel Title: State Representative Phone: 615-741-0750 Email: stevemcdanielrep@
    bellsouth.net
    Organization: Tennessee State Legislature Link: Website
  • Michael Grainger Title: Board Member Phone: 615-771-7785 Email: mjgrainger@
    cox.net
    Organization: Civil War Preservation Trust Link: Website
  • Sen. Bill Ketron Title: State Senator Phone: 615-741-6853 Email: Sen.Bill.Ketron@
    capitol.tn.gov
    Link: Website
  • Walter Durham Title: Tennessee State Historian Phone: 615-452-3201 Email: wtdurham@
    bellsouth.net
    Link: Website
  • Herb Handly Title: Executive Vice President of Tourism Phone: 800-525-6834 Email: hhandly@
    smokymountains.org
    Organization: Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau Link: Website
  • Robert Hicks Title: Historian and Author, Widow of the South Phone: 615-790-0395 Email: robthicks@
    aol.com
    Link: Website
  • Woody Harrell, ex officio Title: Superintendent Phone: 731-689-5275 Email: woody_harrell@
    nps.gov
    Organization: Shiloh National Military Park Link: Website