The Friends of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park welcomes National Park Service Chief Historian Emeritus Ed Bearss for three different local programs March 15 and 16. Mr, Bearss, who is recognized as the “Father of 20th Century Civil War Battlefield Preservation,” and who Smithsonian Magazine called “a rock star in Civil War circles,” is the feature of a new documentary, American Journey: The Life and Times of Ed Bearss.
On Sunday, March 15, Mr. Bearss will lead a bus tour, Prelude to Chickamauga: Civil War Actions in McLemore’s Cove.
Leaving from Chattanooga, the tour from 2-5:30 p.m., will examine the Confederate withdrawal from the city and the Union army’s attempt to defeat them in McLemore’s Cove prior to the Battle of Chickamauga. Participation in the tour is limited to 45 participants. Tickets for the Sunday afternoon tour are $65.
On Monday, March 16, A Conversation with Ed Bearss, a special luncheon at the Mountain City Club, offers participants the opportunity to meet Mr. Bearss, hear some of his favorite Civil War stories, and ask Civil War related questions of the man referred to as “a living American treasure.” Limited to 30 participants, tickets for the 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. luncheon are $75. Tickets for the tour and luncheon are available at
www.friendsofchch.org or by calling 423-648-5623. All proceeds from the program benefit the work of the Friends of the Park.
On Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m., the National Park Service and the Friends of the Park will present a program on the documentary, American Journey: The Life and Times of Ed Bearss. Public historian and documentary producer David Currey will share clips from the documentary that highlight the life "of one of the nation's most renowned historians.” As Mr. Currey notes, Mr. Bearss is “an authentic American character, who rose from humble beginnings on the majestic plains of central Montana to become the most recognized face of the Civil War battlefield preservation movement in the latter half of the 20th century. Grievously wounded in the Pacific during World War II, he has used the experience as a tool to teach future generations the value of service and sacrifice. During a long and distinguished career in the National Park Service Ed rose to chief historian where he led efforts to save battlefields across the country.” Mr. Currey will also lead a discussion with Mr. Bearss. Copies of the documentary will be for sale and Mr. Bearss will be available for signing. Proceeds from sales benefit the work of the Friends of the Park. The presentation is free to the public and will take place in the McCallie School Chapel, 500 Dodds Ave.
The Friends of the Park is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and enhancing the units of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park for the benefit of the American public. For more information on these programs and the work of the Friends, visit www.friendsofchch.org or call the Friends at 423-648-5623.