Lincoln’s Life & Legacy in Stories and Music; A Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the End of the Civil War

From the Historical Society of Harford County:

On Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 6 pm the Historical Society of Harford County, the Maryland Conservatory of Music and the Bel Air Arts and Entertainment District will present a major celebration of one of the most significant historical events in our country’s history at the Bel Air Armory, 37 N. Main Street in Bel Air, MD. The presentation will bring to life the war years using a very unique venue of music, stories and exhibits that show how crucial and conflicting the war was locally and nationally.

Harford County citizens played major roles on both the Union and the Confederate sides during the Civil War, but there were no significant battles here so you seldom hear their incredible stories. Come help celebrate the 150th Anniversary ending this conflict and learn these hidden truths about the war’s local heroes and villains as Erika Quesenbery Sturgill portrays her ancestor Elizabeth Quesenbery, a Fallston resident and spy.

Doors will open at 6 pm so come early to enjoy an exhibit of seldom seen Civil War artifacts from the Historical Society and Tudor Hall collections, costumed Civil War Re-enactors, Dave Gigliotti’s Civil War and battlefield photographs, light refreshments and a silent auction. At 7pm the first performance will begin with stories of the war years in Harford County, followed by a musical tribute to President Lincoln presented by concert pianist and story teller, Dr. Duke Thompson. Dr. Thompson will recount Lincoln’s “Triumphs and Tragedies” in a musical performance accompanied by a presentation describing the President’s formative years, the excitement of the 1860 Presidential election and the terrible struggles from then to the Battle of Gettysburg. According to Dr. Thompson, “the President’s love of music and its impact on these crucial formative years allowed him a unique opportunity to develop a musical program that will transport the audience to another time and place.” The concert and presentation will be further enhanced by background photographs portraying the events that shaped Lincoln’s life and the country.

This is the first of two events, on Saturday, April 18, 2015 a second program will be presented extending the story to “Beyond Gettysburg”, tracing the events locally and nationally from 1863-1865 , the end of the Civil War. Both programs are generously sponsored by Klein’s Shoprite of Maryland and Harford Mutual Insurance Company. Proceeds from the event will be used for the restoration of the Historical Society’s headquarters on Main St. in Bel Air, for a scholarship program at the Maryland Conservatory and for the arts in Bel Air.

Tickets are available at the Historical Society, 143 N. Main St, Bel Air, MD, 410-838-7691, www.harfordhistory.org. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the performances, but reservations are suggested. Tickets are $25 for one show or $40 for both shows.