“Looking Back: The Civil War in Tennessee Project” Seeks Tennessee-Related Items
The Tennessee State Library and Archives continues the successful “Looking Back” project during the 2014 Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Signature Event at the Williamson County Archives at 611 Main Street in Franklin, Tenn.
As part of the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, a team of professional archivists, curators and conservators from the Tennessee State Library and Archives will be on-hand 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 14 to digitize privately-owned Civil War manuscripts, artifacts, and photographs from Tennessee citizens and visitors free of charge.
“Franklin is ground-zero for the Civil War in Tennessee and a hotbed of interest in preserving the memory of the unforgettable events that happened there 150 years ago,” said Dr. Wayne Moore, assistant state archivist. “We are very much looking forward to bringing the Looking Back project to Franklin for the 2014 Sesquicentennial Signature Event and tapping into that rich historical vein.”
The goal of the “Looking Back: The Civil War in Tennessee” project is to digitize records and artifacts from all 95 counties in Tennessee and promote public interest in Tennessee’s Civil War history. The files are maintained by TSLA and will become part of a virtual archive to be used by the general public as well as K-12 teachers and students.
Many of the digital records are featured in an online exhibit titled, “Looking Back: The Civil War in Tennessee http://tn.gov/tsla/cwtn/.” Those interested in participating should refer to the schedule www.tn.gov/tsla/cwtn and call 615-253-3470 or email civilwar.tsla@tn.gov to schedule a reservation.
During the event, the public will not only have the opportunity to have their Tennessee-related Civil War memorabilia copied, but can review relics related to the Battle of Franklin.
The state’s 2014 Sesquicentennial Signature Event, “The Last Campaign in Tennessee,” will be held Nov. 13-14 in Franklin and surrounding historic sites. The Tennessee Sesquicentennial Commission sponsors a series of major signature events. Presenters like keynote speaker Damian Shiels, Irish historian and author, will discuss the battles, events, and stories of the Civil War, as well as offer brief dramas and musical entertainment during the free event.
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For more information on Tennessee’s Civil War Sesquicentennial, visit www.tncivilwar150.com or download the free, Addy award-winning Tennessee Civil War 150 iPhone app, available at www.itunes.apple.com/us/app/tennessee-civil-war-150.