Civil War Museum
Workshops

In-Person Workshops

P.H. Sheridan vs G.K. Warren: Five Forks–and a Knife in the Back

Wednesday, November 19 | 6pm – 8pm | Instructor: Robert Girardi | $20 ($25 for non-members) | Register Here

In the closing days of the siege of Petersburg in 1865, Phil Sheridan and Gouverneur K Warren were engaged in overlapping offensive operations. Warren seized the White Oak Road while Sheridan got bloodied at Dinwiddie Court House. Warren was ordered to support Sheridan, while Sheridan was authorized by U.S. Grant to relieve Warren if he so chose. Sheridan did just that, only moments after the two won the Battle of Five Forks. Sheridan then accused Warren of being reluctant to fight. It took Warren 17 years to get justice.

The two generals could not be more different in personality, character, and education. Both graduated from West Point and, in the pre-war years, had decidedly different careers. When circumstances brought them together in 1864 during the Overland Campaign, a series of clashes between them ignited the spark that would result in Warren’s relief from command a year later. This is a study of two men, their interactions, and the abuse of power.

Civil War Media Club: The Mexican-American War Experiences of Twelve Civil War Generals

Edited by Timothy D. Johnson

Tuesday, December 9 | 6:30pm – 8pm | Instructor: Doug Dammann | $8 ($10 for non-members) | Register Here

Long overshadowed by the American Civil War, the Mexican-American War (1846–1848) has received significantly less attention from historians, partly because of its questionable origin and controversial outcome. The contributors to this volume, however, argue that the Mexican-American War was a formative experience for the more than three hundred future Civil War generals who served in it as lower-grade officers. The Mexican War was the first combat experience for many of them, a laboratory that equipped a generation of young officers with practical lessons in strategy, tactics, logistics, and interpersonal relationships that they would use later to command forces during the Civil War.

Media Club attendees are encouraged to read the book before meeting and come prepared to share their views and opinions on it in an open forum.

The Civil War Museum After Dark Tours

The Civil War Museum After Dark: Wide Awakes

Wednesday, October 30 | 7:00pm – 8:00pm | Presenter: Doug Dammann | $16 ($20 for non-members) | Register Here

Who were the Wide Awakes and why did they participate in nighttime torch-lit parades wearing special costumes? Why did the wounds of some soldiers glow after the Battle of Shiloh? Did Mary Todd Lincoln attend seances at the White House?

Curator Doug Dammann will lead a lantern-lit tour of the Civil War Museum’s Fiery Trial gallery that explores these and other strange and odd stories of the Civil War.

Walking Tour of the Grounds of the Milwaukee Soldier’s Home

Saturday, May 6 | 10:00am – 12:00pm | $12 ($15 non-members) Register Here

Participants must provide their own transportation to the site.

The Civil War Museum, in collaboration with volunteers from the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance, is excited to offer a walking tour of the buildings and grounds of the newly rehabbed Milwaukee Soldiers Home. Highlights of the tour include the interior of Old Main and the building’s history exhibit as well as exterior stops at the Home’s historic Theater, Church, Library, and Cemetery. Our guides will also concentrate on the personal stories of the Civil War veterans who made the Soldier’s Home their home after the war.

The group will meet at the grounds at 10am to begin the walking tour. Parking is available.

A portion of the proceeds from the tour will be donated to the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance.

Virtual Workshops

Hayes and Garfield: The War Years

Tuesday, February 4 | 6:00pm-7:30pm | Presenters: Joshua Dubbert and C.W. Goodyear | $12 ($15 non-members) | Register Here

Join the Civil War Museum online for an in-depth discussion led by Joshua Dubbert and C.W. Goodyear about Rutherford B. Hayes and James A. Garfield and their lives during the Civil War Years.

Joshua Dubbert is the Historian at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums. His research focuses on Victorian America, particularly its culture, art, architecture, and the era’s presidents. He enjoys giving public programs and tours of the Hayes Home, and sharing the fascinating history of Hayes, his presidency, his family, and his era, with the public.

C.W. Goodyear is an author and historian based in Washington, D.C. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and grew up abroad before graduating from Yale University. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post, and his latest book, President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier, is a critically acclaimed biography of America’s 20th president.

Six of the eight presidents to serve after the Civil War fought in the war itself, including Rutherford B. Hayes and James A. Garfield. The two men had many other things in common—both were Ohioans, Republicans, and U.S. Congressmen. Their mettle was tested in battle and their politics were shaped by their leadership roles during the great conflict. This program examines Hayes and Garfield’s individual war experiences, presented by Joshua Dubbert, historian at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, and C.W. Goodyear, author of the recent acclaimed biography President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier.

Participants will be sent a link the day-of to access this live virtual workshop at their home computers.

Cancellations and Refunds

A full refund will be issued if the Kenosha Public Museum, Dinosaur Discovery Museum, or Civil War Museum cancels a workshop or camp.

All refunds requested within 72 hours of the program are subject to a $10 processing fee.

No refunds are offered on or after the day a workshop or camp begins.

Class cancellations can happen if enrollment minimums are not met two days prior to the event. You will be contacted via phone or email if your event is canceled.

If unforeseen circumstances (i.e. weather, power outages, instructor illness) occur within 72 hours of the workshop or camp and the program must be canceled, the museum will do its best to reschedule or provide a voucher to take a program of a similar or same cost.