Shiloh National Military Park Commemorates 150th 2012 Civil War Sesquicentennial Signature Event

Sep 20, 2011

Tennessee's Sesquicentennial Commission announces the state's third annual Sesquicentennial Signature Event April 4 and 5 during the 150th commemoration of the Battle of Shiloh. The two day event will take place at Pickwick Landing State Park and Shiloh National Military Park. The theme for the special commemoration is "Invasions by Rail and River."

Tennessee's Sesquicentennial Commission announces the state's third annual Sesquicentennial Signature Event April 4 and 5 during the 150th commemoration of the Battle of Shiloh. The two day event will take place at Pickwick Landing State Park and Shiloh National Military Park. The theme for the special commemoration is "Invasions by Rail and River."

 

Tourism Commissioner Susan Whitaker and Director of MTSU's Center for Historic Preservation, Dr. Carroll Van West, co-chairs of the Commission, will serve as event hosts. Among the special guest speakers are Dr. John Marszalek, Mississippi State Univeristy (ret.). Dr. James L. McDonough, Auburn University, and noted Civil War authors, Wiley Sword and Larry J. Daniel. Dr. Timothy B. Smith, University of Tennessee-Martin, will speak on "Shiloh: The Preservation Story."

 

The two-day battle of Shiloh which took place April 6 and April 7, 1862, resulted in nearly 24,000 killed, wounded, and missing. The interpretation of Shiloh, one of the Civil War's most momentous battles, will be provided through historical discussions, musical performances, stories and living history demonstrations.

 

Tennessee is the only entire state designated by the U.S. Congress as a Civil War National Heritage area. Another important Sesquicentennial initiative is Tennessee's Civil War Trails program. The program is part of a multi-state Civil War Trails initiative which interprets and creates driving tours of both the great campaigns and the lesser-known Civil War sites. Tennessee, ranking in the top two states for Civil War battlefield sites, joins four other states in this important project. The entire program has been identified by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the most successful and sustainable heritage tourism programs in the nation.


Registration for Tennessee's Sesquicentennial Signature Event is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit tncivilwar150.com.

 

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