Stones River National Battlefield will kick-off the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Stones River with The Legacy of Stones River: Why the Battle Matters 150 Years Later, Friday and Saturday,Oct. 26-27, 2012. This symposium will reexamine one of the most significant battles of the Civil War. The Battle of Stones River proved to be one of the war’s bloodiest battles and had far reaching strategic, political, and social consequences. It changed the lives of thousands and still has meaning today.
Programs will begin at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 26 at the First Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro with a presentation by well-known Civil War historian Larry Daniel. Mr. Daniel’s new book on the Battle of Stones River is a must have for anyone studying the war in the Western Theater.
Saturday’s programs will begin at the church with morning presentations by historians, Earl J. Hess, Richard McMurry, Antoinette van Zelm, and park ranger Jim Lewis. A book signing will follow the presentations. Living history characters drawn from Murfreesboro’s history will share their stories with the audience in between speakers.
Participants will have lunch at Stones River National Battlefield while listening to the insights of former National Park Service Chief Historian Dwight Pitcaithley. The afternoon programs will conclude with concerts by the Stones River Musicianers, reminiscences by Andrew Johnson, former Military Governor of Tennessee and Vice President of the United States, and ranger talks about soldiers who fought in the Battle of Stones River,
The $20 registration fee includes Friday evening snacks and continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday.
The entrance to Stones River National Battlefield is located at 1563 N. Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, TN, and The First Presbyterian Church is located at 210 N. Spring Street, Murfreesboro, TN.
For more information and a registration form, visit www.nps.gov/stri/planyourvisit/legacycurrent.htm. or by phone at 615-893-9501.