James A. Garfield National Historic Site

11 11, 2023

Deconstructing the Gettysburg Address

By |2023-11-09T14:22:36-05:00November 11, 2023|

In commemoration of Veterans Day, discover the story behind Abraham Lincoln’s famous and brief (only 262 words!) speech.

What did Lincoln hope to accomplish with his speech? What was the public reaction? And who was the actual headliner that day?

Todd Arringtong, site manager of James A. Garfield National Historic Site and Gettysburg native, dives deeply into the Gettysburg Address.

This talk is part of a monthly series on the leaders and legacies of the Civil War that is hosted by the James A. Garfield National Historic Site and Mentor Public Library. Several talks in this series can be viewed online in their entirety including:

10 21, 2023

The Civil War: Veterans’ Physical, Mental & Emotional Wounds

By |2023-10-11T15:21:23-04:00October 21, 2023|

Our friends and neighbors from James A. Garfield National Historic Site discuss the physical, mental, and emotional wounds that the veterans of the US Civil War experienced.

This talk is part of a monthly series on the leaders and legacies of the Civil War that is hosted by the James A. Garfield National Historic Site and Mentor Public Library. Several talks in this series can be viewed online in their entirety including:

10 11, 2023

Explore the pivotal year of 1863 in American history

By |2023-10-05T08:36:43-04:00October 11, 2023|

1863 was the crucial year of the Civil War, perhaps the most important year in US history. Dr. John Foster of Mentor Public and Dr. Todd Arrington of James A. Garfield National Historic Site describe the momentous battles of early 1863 — Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Vicksburg — and their importance to our country’s history. Dr. Foster focuses on the eastern front while Dr. Arrington limns the west.

They also talk about landmark policies — The Emancipation Proclamation and Homestead Act — that altered the nation’s future.

The second part in this series will be on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Arrington is the site manager of James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor and holds a doctorate in history from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He’s also the author of The Last Lincoln Republican: The Presidential Election of 1880.

In addition to being a reference librarian, Foster has a doctorate degree in history. He has taught history at both high school and college levels. Previously, he has led series on the Battles of World War IIthe Cold Warthe American RevolutionThe Vietnam Wars, and US Presidents of the 20th Century at the library.

And for more talks on Civil War history, visit our YouTube channel:

09 23, 2023

Buffalo Soldiers, Bonita Canyon & President James A. Garfield

By |2023-09-14T10:10:49-04:00September 23, 2023|

Discover the connection between the famous Buffalo Soldiers, Arizona’s Bonita Canyon, and Mentor’s own President James A. Garfield! Sharon Kennedy – an author and historian from Arizona – shares the story of the 10-foot monument in Bonita Canyon that soldiers from the 10th cavalry erected after President Garfield was assassinated in 1881.

This talk is part of a monthly series on the leaders and legacies of the Civil War that is hosted by the James A. Garfield National Historic Site and Mentor Public Library. Several talks in this series can be viewed online in their entirety including:

For those interested in the Civil War, we’re hosting the first of two lectures about the war’s pivotal year, 1863, at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at our Main Branch. The program is free to attend. Due to limited space, registration is required. Sign up online or call us at 440-255-8811 ext. 1.

06 21, 2023

Mapping the Civil War: The Ethics & Methodology of Civil War Archaeology

By |2023-06-14T14:51:11-04:00June 21, 2023|

Ranger Alex from James A. Garfield National Historic Site explains the ethics, legalities, and methods used while excavating Civil War sites.

Our Civil War series continues at noon on July 12 with a look at the Battle of Gettysburg.

By the way, if you’re interested in Civil War history, several talks in this series can be viewed online in their entirety, including:

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