Newburyport Preservation Week - Newburyport's Civil War Highlights

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Author and Civil War expert William Hallett has a family friendly event planned as a part of this year’s Newburyport Preservation Trust. Bill will offer highlights from his new book, “Newburyport and the Civil War”, with an emphasis on the waterfront and maritime Civil War history.

William Hallett was president of the Civil War Roundtable of New Hampshire, founded 20 years ago and his wife, Liz Hallett is a charter member and program director of the Civil War Roundtable of the Merrimack.

“We’ll be highlighting some of the buildings and locations of importance and interest along State Street,” says Bill Hallett. “As a town, Newburyport did not experience any battles, but its inhabitants played a significant role in the war.  Both on the battlefield and at home, Newburyport shares in the legacy of the strife and political intrigue.”

In April, 1861 Captain Albert Bartlett said, “Men, my orders are to appear in Boston, whether with few men or many, I must go. Be ready to march.” The 8th Massachusetts Company A gathered in response to this request. Come and see where the troops gathered to set forth that fateful day.

The lecture, tour and demonstration will be free of charge. It begins in the Program Room of the Newburyport Public Library on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 1:30 pm. In Civil War period attire, Bill and Liz will provide a modified “Footsteps of Heroes” tour. It begins at 2:00 pm in front of the Library and concludes at the Custom House Maritime Museum (grass area directly behind the museum) for an exciting live firing musket demonstration.

Newburyportcelebrates and commemorates historic preservation and Newburyport's Waterfront  during the sixth annual Newburyport Preservation Week, May 16 through May 20, 2012. Activities spanning five days will feature something for all ages and interests, including a walking tour and musket firing, expert panel discussion and rediscovered Newburyport’s wharves, the connection between the Newburyport Powder House, the waterfront and preparation for the War of 1812, historic photo slide shows and films, and the annual Historic Preservation Awards. Activities are open to the public and most are free. For more information, visit www.nbptpreservationtrust.org.