Dorset Theatre Festival, Northshire Bookstore and Bennington Museum Announce Joint Vermont Civil War Series

The Civil War has a deep history in southwestern Vermont. To commemorate many of the events and people associated with the 150thAnniversary of this period, Northshire Bookstore, Dorset Theatre Festival, and Bennington Museum have created a series of programs, events and exhibits that take place throughout the Shires of southwestern Vermont beginning on May 23 and continuing through October.

The Civil War in Vermont Series kicks off on May 23rd at 6 pm with a talk and discussion at Northshire Bookstore called The Meaning of Freedom. Seth Bongartz, Hildene Executive Director, discusses Lincoln's relationship with slaves and their pending freedom. Vermont Humanities historian Lars Nielsen talks about the Jews during the Civil War. Dina Janis, Artistic Director of the Dorset Theatre Festival, will moderate the Q & A that follows. The Dorset Theatre Festival production of the renowned Civil War drama, The Whipping Man, acts as the springboard for this discussion. This award-winning play follows the story of a Jewish Confederate soldier and two of his former slaves, who meet on Passover as the war ends and grapple with new definitions of freedom and what that means in the post-Civil War landscape.

The series continues with the opening of the Bennington Museum exhibit Southwestern Vermont and the Civil War running from May 25 - October 27. On June 30 at 3 pm, Northshire Bookstore hosts Howard Coffin in a special program called Something Abides: Discovering the Civil War in Today's Vermont. From July 11- 20, The Dorset Theatre Festival presents The Whipping Man by Matthew Lopez. Related to this play, Bennington Museum offers a special program in collaboration with the DTF Design Team for The Whipping Man called Conjuring the Civil War: Recreating History. This takes place on July 13 at 2 pm at the museum. At 7 pm on September 6, the Northshire Bookstore hosts quilt historian Pam Weeks who offers a special program called Civil War Quilts. On exhibit from August 31 - October 14 at the Bennington Museum is the 150th Anniversary of the Jane Stickle Quilt featuring this world-renowned example of American Folk Art. The exhibit is complemented by a presentation and trunk show featuring Brenda Papadakis, noted authority on Jane Stickle and her quilt. This is scheduled for October 4 at 7 pm. On Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6, join Brenda Papadakis at the Bennington Museum for special quilting workshops. Registration is required.

Drawing upon the deep history in the southwestern portion of Vermont, this collaborative series offers something for all interests. If you would like more details on any of the events affiliated with The Civil War in Vermont, visit any of the collaborative partners' websites. www.northshire.com, www.dorsettheatrefestival.org, or www.benningtonmuseum.org or call any of these locations for details.