Civil War Museum
Workshops

In-Person Workshops

Civil War Museum Teacher Seminar

Friday, August 7 | 9:00am – 3:30pm | $50 | Registration Coming Soon

Check-in begins at 8:30am

Join the Kenosha Civil War Museum staff and guest speakers for an engaging and informative seminar that dives into creative and immersive ways to utilize history education resources from your community to your classroom. The price of the seminar includes coffee and kringle, a guided tour, four guest speaker sessions, catered lunch, and professional development credits (Illinois educators only). KUSD Educators: Apply for a scholarship to attend the seminar.

Seminar Schedule

8:30am | Seminar check-in

9:00am | Seminar begins

9:10am-9:45am | “Things Your History Teacher Didn’t Teach You”, presented by Judge Derek Mosley

9:45am | Break

10:00am-10:50am | Guided tour of the Civil War Museum’s main exhibit, “The Fiery Trial”

10:50am-11:15am | View 360-degree film, “Seeing the Elephant”

11:15am-12:15pm | Enjoy a catered lunch and free time

12:15am-1:15pm | Educator session presented by Dr. Benjamin Wellenreiter, Associate Professor of Middle Level Education at Illinois State University and Executive Director of Illinois Council for the Social Studies

1:15pm-2:15pm | “My Indepedence Day”, performed by Dr. Shannon Sloan-Spice

2:15pm-2:30pm | Break

2:30pm-3:30pm | Educator session presented by Chuck Taft, 8th Grade American Studies History Teacher at University School of Milwaukee and President of Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies

3:30pm | Seminar ends

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.

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

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858

Tuesdays, February 17 – March 3 | 6pm – 8pm | Presented by: Mr. Steve Rogstad | $48 ($60 for non-members) | Register Here

Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas were political adversaries for nearly 30 years in Illinois and argued the issue of American slavery in the crucible of public debate. The 1858 senatorial Lincoln-Douglas debates have been held up as the quintessential example of American public debate style. This course will closely examine the political context for the debates, identify the various Illinois voters, discuss the topics both candidates introduced into the debates, and study the rhetorical ploys used by both Lincoln and Douglas to further their political positions. Many maintain that the ideas expressed by Abraham Lincoln before and during the debates foreshadowed the Civil War and threatened American social order. Learn what is the myth of the seven debates, and how they differ from history.

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