GA Stationery - Genteel Arts Academy

ARCHIVED INFORMATION FOR THE 2016 SYMPOSIUM
- FOR REFERENCE ONLY Genteel Arts is pleased to announce the program for The Civilian Symposium at Harrisburg, to be
held in Camp Hill (Harrisburg), PA on March 9-13, 2016. In its 22nd year, new and experienced historians,
researchers, museum personnel, reenactors and other enthusiasts will meet with their counterparts from across
the country and around the world to discover new information and to learn new skills. Attendees at previous
conferences have hailed from 47 states and four countries. We invite you to join us for informative
presentations, hands-on workshops, seminars and tours about the men and women of the mid-nineteenth
century, what they wore, and how they lived.
The 2016 Symposium features:
 A full program of presentations of interest to both ladies and gentlemen.
 A combination of joint and concurrent sessions.
 A notebook with handouts for all of the presentations offered during the Symposium, not just the handouts
for the sessions you attended.
 Angels’ Project at the Shippensburg University Fashion Archives and Museum on Wednesday.
 Pre-symposium seminars, tours and hands-on workshops on Thursday and Friday. Space permitting, these
sessions will also be open to the general public.
 Welcome Reception and Sociable Thursday evening.
 A formal Ball on Saturday evening.
 Needlework competition.
 Extensive exhibits of original clothing, accessories, jewelry, and artifacts, changed daily. Bring your
camera!
 A juried Marketplace open to Symposium participants, guests and the general public. Admission is free.
 Door prizes!
 Reduced registration for junior attendees and full-time college students.
 Several options for meals during the weekend, including packages for your family or guests.
 Installment plan for paying the registration fee.
Make plans now to attend this enriching weekend and meet others who share a dedicated interest in life in the
mid-nineteenth century. Complete details, hotel information and registration forms are listed below. Register
early! Previous Symposia have been sold out!
A Commitment to Preservation
Genteel Arts has designated the registration fees from selected pre-symposium tours held during the past
nine years to historic and preservation sites and organizations. We are pleased to announce your participation in
these tours has helped raise $3,600.00 for the Adams County Historical Society, $2,000.00 for the archives at
the Gettysburg National Military Park, $3,200.00 for the Shippensburg University Fashion Archives and
Museum, $1,100.00 for the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, $400.00 for the Dauphin County
Historical Society, $375.00 for the Gettysburg Civil War Round Table Preservation Fund, $300.00 for the
Strawberry Hill Nature Center and $250.00 for the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center – a total of
$11,225.00. We hope you will continue to help us support these and similar institutions in the future.
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Some Comments about Previous Conferences/Symposia
“The Conference is the college of Civil War civilian reenacting!”
“I am always amazed with the amount of information that is available at this conference. I may think I’m
not interested in a particular topic, but I ALWAYS leave with some information that I can use in my
impression and at events.”
“A good balance of subjects: North and South, men and women, external appearances as well as the
sociology and mindset of the day.
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"I have learned so much. Too bad we can't make this conference mandatory for all reenactors before they
go out in public! Worth every penny, and then some!”
"The displays of original garments are amazing! The opportunity to view so many of them up close is
priceless - worth the price of the conference alone!"
“Saturday evening was wonderful. Everyone looked lovely, and I had the best time!”
"Very educational, well organized, great way to network with others and form new friendships."
“The conference is always an anticipated delight—the knowledge learned from speakers and visual displays
is unparalleled. Impossible to always be perfect, but each year is the best offered anywhere.”
"I'm thrilled to see more on men's clothing. This is one of the best displays to be found anywhere!
"Very informative - not only with techniques and alternatives, but also the culture and social aspects."
"This is my first conference (I am a relative 'newbie"). I loved it! So much more professionally managed and
presented than I expected."
"I don’t know anywhere else where you can learn so much, see so many original garments, meet so many
new and old friends, and have such a good time. It’s worth every penny!”
“I looked forward to attending the conference with high expectations. The conference far exceeded my
anticipations.”
"Broaden your background - attend this conference!"
"Always new knowledge for everyone no matter what level of re-enacting they occupy."
"The expanded number of workshops with the element of hands-on learning was excellent. It's wonderful to
have so many choices."
"Glad to see presentations on 19th century life other than clothing."
"The pre-conference tours were incredible!"
"The workshops I've taken over the years have always been so informative and have so much information
for my group. FUN!"
"I love that meals are included. I go to many conferences in connection with my work, and have gone
through too much wasted time/frantic search for a quick meal. It also gives us that much more time for
networking."
“I told my table mates that this was my first time at this event. They told me, ‘Well, you started at the top.’
They were right.”
"VERY professionally run. My employer offers conference management services and we could not have
done it better. Any equipment (AV) needs were seamlessly dealt with."
“This is my Christmas gift to myself. I wouldn’t miss it.”
“I learned about clothing. I learned about stuff. I learned when and where to wear the clothing and what to
do with the stuff!”
Saturday Morning Opening Session – 2014 Conference
Presentations
Frozen Assets: The Ice Industry & Ice Harvesting in 19th Century America
Tom Kelleher
In the 19th century, ice went from an incidental reality of winter to a profitable commodity, a unique and
usually abundant product that cost nothing to make. Initially the ice industry developed as an export business,
but by the 1860s it became an even more lucrative industry domestically. This presentation will outline that
story, and examine the tools and techniques of how ice was harvested, stored, and transported from pond to
market in the mid-1800s.
You Can Do It! Developing a Toolbox for Planning Civilian Immersion Events
Jessica Craig & Betsy Connolly
How many times have you been at a reenactment and wondered, "What are the civilians supposed to
do?" The Civil War was not the only event in the mid-19th century. People went about their daily lives, had fun,
were employed in many occupations, traveled, and did a host of other activities. Other major local, state, and
national events occurred. As civilian living historians, we do not have to tether ourselves to battle reenactments
and events pertaining to the War. The possibilities are endless! This presentation hopes to inspire you to take an
active part in planning a civilian event and turn your ideas into reality. We will provide guidance on how to
develop ideas for events, tips and suggestions for dealing with logistics and communication, discuss first person
options, and on-site organization. At the end of this session, you will leave equipped with the tools, ideas and
enthusiasm to put on your own civilian events!
So Much More than a Research Tool: Taking a Closer Look at Cartes d’Visite
Kelly Dorman
Cartes d’visite are a wonderful primary source for recreating the “look” of the people of the 1860s; we
are able to examine the cut of a sleeve, the placement of trimming or the styling of the hair. But they actually
represent so much more: a new technology and industry, an intimate blending of the commercial and domestic
spheres, and a new way of expressing ideas of identity, family and nationhood in a rapidly changing America.
After learning the full impact of CDV’s on 1860s society, you will never look at one in quite the same way –
they are small in size, but powerful in impact.
For the Fashion of this World Passeth Away”: Identifying Changes in Mid-Victorian
Clothing Styles for Women - K. Krewer
To those uninitiated in the subtleties of fashion history, all mid-Victorian women look alike, with tightly
fitted bodices, fluffy sleeves, and poufy skirts. Those who have studied costume history recognize that each
passing year brought fashion innovations and alterations, major and minor, appealing and appalling. (As Oscar
Wilde quipped, “Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.”) We’ll
take a look at those changes, concentrating on the Civil War years. When did basque bodices fall from fashion
– and when did they return? When did the coat sleeve and the standup collar – longtime staples of menswear -start showing up in women’s clothing? When did straight-panel skirts give way to gores, and princess seams
become popular? Using period images and artwork, fashion plates and descriptions, and period literature, we’ll
attempt to establish a timeline of fashionable features that will help you to date photographs and original
garments, as well as plan your reenacting wardrobe.
Readin’, Ritin’, Rithmetic - Reality: Education in Mid-19th Century America
Sally Ryan
“The Country School” – Winslow Homer
Many people have a ‘Little House on the Prairie’ image of what school was like in the mid-19th century–
a bucolic atmosphere of eager minds, in a little building surrounded by meadows and trees. Or they may
envision education as it might have been during the Revolutionary period, with Dames schools and private
tutors. Or they may share the assumption that many people were barely literate, especially if living in the
country. This presentation will discuss the “Readin’ Ritin’, ‘Rithmetic and Reality” of what school was like for
a young person c. 1845-1870 during “the Common School period”, when education went from being
completely private to being available to the common masses. Topics will include who went to school, what they
learned, who taught them, and how education was impacted by the war.
“Lace is Always Handsome and Fashionable”
Beth Chamberlain
In no one article, perhaps, is female extravagance in dress carried to a greater length than in the use of elegant
and costly laces and embroideries. Almost fabulous prices are sometimes paid for them.
Godey’s Lady’s Book, August 1858
Once accessible only to the wealthiest of society, by the mid-19th century lace was found in the
wardrobes of many middle class women. Lace was used for everything from small bits of trim on accessories to
broad flounces liberally frosting extravagant eveningwear. This presentation will look how the rise in machine
production impacted the price of lace and the types of laces available. We’ll look at who was wearing lace, how
they used it, and how they wore their lace confections. What about the lady who loved lace but couldn’t afford
lace? We’ll discuss the variety of home-made laces and lace-like confections accessible to almost every
industrious lady. The presentation will also look at laces available to us now and how we can incorporate them
into our 19th century wardrobes.
To the Madhouse: Female Incarceration in 19th Century Asylums for the Insane
Annette Bethke
Nineteenth century asylums for the insane were used on occasion as places to send women who did not
conform to society’s definition of womanhood. Conditions that we know now as post-partum depression,
fatigue, or just plain independence could very well send a woman to an institution meant to treat the insane.
Through the experiences of three women: one truly insane, one experiencing temporary mental illness or stress,
and a third that merely did not meet the expectations of family, this presentation will look at the institutional
system of treating the insane in the mid-19th century with particular focus on the experiences of women.
Fashion Meets Technology: Skirt Supporting Petticoats
Carolann Schmitt
“Without foundation there is no fashion.” – Christian Dior
This quote is from the 20th century, but it is very applicable to the mid-19th century. The transition from
many cotton petticoats to the steel crinoline was an evolution in fashion and in technology; yet few realize how
important the technology was to the successful development of skirt supporting petticoats. We will discuss the
transition in petticoat styles from horsehair to cords to steel. We’ll meet the inventors and manufacturers who
created successful methods that were critical for successful mass production of steel crinolines. We’ll talk about
odd designs and innovations - those that made it to production and some that never progressed beyond the files
in the patent office. We’ll look at worldwide production, the women who worked in the factories, and how skirt
supporting petticoats were distributed and sold.
Mail Call: A Look at Letters Home from Sherman’s Soldiers
Phillip Whiteman
This presentation will examine letters sent and received by Union soldiers in the Western theater before,
during and after the Atlanta Campaign. We will look at how the Post Office operated during war time and the
issues that affected getting mail to and from the soldiers. The presentation will also cover the writing and postal
materials used to send thoughts, hopes, conditions and, all too often, condolences to the home front. Examples
of original letters written found in the National Archives will be shown.
A Field Guide for Spotting Furniture Appropriate for the Early-Mid 1860s
Jim Johnson
“The Family of Deacon Wilson Brainerd” – Earstus Salisbury Field – Old Sturbridge Village Collection
Popular American furniture styles in the middle part of the 19th century relied heavily on a series of
historical revivals that took place in the first decades of the century, and continued on until the 1840s and
1850s. Grecian and other classical forms, Gothic, Elizabethan, and French Rococo influences - all had their
heyday and overlapped in popularity during this time. Furniture of this period contrasted from huge, dark heavy
forms, to delicate designs, laden with turned spindles and finials. It was also a transitional time when quality
hand crafted workmanship gave way to factory mass-production. Learn more about how to identify the various
forms of furniture in common use in American homes of the early to mid-1860s.
The Animal that Forged America: The Indestructible Mule
Robert ‘Vince’ Hawley, DVM, Major, US Army
Logging Mules
Much of what the general population knows about mules is tied up in old wives’ tales and folk lore.
“They are stubborn and stupid” seems to be the general consensus. We will go beyond the legends to learn
about this indestructible animal that was familiar to almost every mid-19th century citizen. How is a mule made?
What are the differences between mules, horses and donkeys? What special considerations should be given for
working with mules vs. horses or oxen? When and where would you expect to see a mule? In the world of
mules, one size does not fit all. In the 19th century and today, mules were and are bred for specific purposes.
Many a great horseman and connoisseur of horse flesh know little to nothing about donkey and mule
conformation and breeding stock. This presentation will clear the air and reveal the truth about this wonderfully
misunderstood animal – one that helped forge this country.
A Dollar Book for a Dime! The Rise of Beadle and Adams
Bob Sullivan
Erastus Beadle
Irwin Beadle
Robert Adams
How do you decide to try something that has never been done? How do you create a product that is so
iconic that the name of it becomes a term in the English language? In 1859, moderately successful magazine
publishers Erastus and Irwin Beadle decided to try something…a dollar book for a dime. This presentation tells
the story of the Dime novels and Dime Guides – how they were published, printed, distributed, marketed and
read – and the legacy they left.
The Other Side of Temperance: The Manufacture, Sale & Consumption of Whiskey
in Mid-19th Century America - Nicky Hughes
Woodford Reserve Distillery
This presentation will examine the relationship between Americans – North and South – and strong
drink during the Civil War era. Beginning with a history of distilling as both a craft and an industry, it will
explore the intricacies of whiskey production, distribution, and consumption. Veterans of previous conferences
will not be surprised to learn that Mr. Hughes, a proud Kentuckian, will emphasize the history of bourbon
whisky. Neither will they be surprised to learn that he will give some attention to “the stuff” associated with the
consumption of alcoholic beverages – barrels, bottles, tumblers, and more – as well as to the drinking
environment enjoyed by patrons of taverns during the 1850s and 1860s. Those in attendance can be confident in
the accuracy of this presentation, based as it will be upon Mr. Hughes’ decades of in-depth, personal research
into the fine points of bourbon consumption.
Seminars, Tours and Hands-On Workshops
Bonnet Veil Workshop – 2014
Pre-symposium seminars, tours and hands-on workshops will be held Thursday, March 10, and Friday,
March 11, 2016. Sessions are three or six hours in length. A fee for materials may be charged by the instructor.
Participants will be sent a list of supplies they will need to bring, e.g. scissors, needles, etc.
Priority registration is given to symposium participants. Space permitting, members of the general
public may register beginning February 7, 2016. In order to accommodate as many participants as possible,
especially those arriving later in the day, we ask that you register for the earliest session your schedule permits.
Please indicate on the registration form your first, second and third choices for each workshop; please check
your registration form for accuracy before submitting. The Symposium reserves the right to cancel a session if
there is insufficient registration. Register early if you are particularly interested in a specific workshop. Space is
limited; historically some workshops have been filled by early December!
Hunting the Elusive Source: Research Methods and Practices for Living History
Beth Chamberlain
The digital age is making vast quantities of information easily accessible, but that flood of information
can also make concerted research more difficult. In this workshop we’ll examine the types of different sources
that are available and learn how to evaluate them. We’ll discuss how to search a variety of databases and talk
about ways to build better searches to cut down on information overload and frustration. Learn how to move
past a simple search, eliminate bad hits, and find more of what you really want. Digitization has made amazing
amounts of information available at out fingertips but an equally amazing volume of materials are still only
available in libraries and museums. We’ll discuss ways to discover those materials and how to gain access to
them. We’ll also talk about tools and methods for tracking your research so you know where you have been and
what you have looked for and, most importantly, so the information you collect is findable and useable for you
later. Thursday 9AM-Noon or 1:30-4:30 PM. Registration Fee: $35.00; Hand-out Fee: $5.00
What Do You See? Examining Original Photographs and Garments
Carolann Schmitt
Primary sources – printed materials, visual images, garments - are valuable research tools.
Participants will use hands-on examination of original cartes-d-visite and garments – men’s, women’s,
children’s – as we focus on how to critically examine the primary sources most often used to determine how
citizens dressed. In our study of visual sources, we’ll consider content, look into what is seen, think about what
is not seen, and consider any text or descriptions that accompany the images. We’ll examine original garments
from first impression to details hidden within the folds of the fabric. Is the garment unchanged from the original
construction or has it been altered? How? Why? What can it tell us about the person(s) who wore it? Are the
construction details typical or unusual? In what context would it have been worn? What do you see when you
look at an image or garment? Look closer. Now what do you see? Thursday 9AM-Noon or 1:30-4:30 PM.
Registration Fee: $35.00; Hand-out Fee: $5.00
Fur Cuffs
Maggie Koenig
Fur was extremely popular for garments, trimmings and accessories in the mid-19th century. Fur cuffs
were often worn with winter outerwear as a way of keeping the wrists warm and stopping cold air from going
up the sleeve of paletots and jackets. Surprisingly, fur cuffs also can be seen as an accessory with dresses as
well. In this class students will learn the basics of sewing with fur while constructing a pair of rabbit fur cuffs to
wear with their dresses or as outerwear. Students should bring basic sewing supplies. Kit Fee: $8.00 for
materials plus the cost of fur (approximately $20.00). Fur must be pre-ordered from the instructor. An email with information on ordering fur will be sent to participants as they register. Thursday or Friday, 9AMNoon or 1:30-4:30 PM. Registration Fee: $35.00
Seed Bead Bracelet
Kay Cogswell
Sometimes the accessories for the new gown you just finished or acquired can really challenge the most
budget conscience - especially if you are talking jewelry! This workshop will introduce you to the popular
Victorian pastime of making jewelry using seed beads. You will be provided with all materials, patterns and
instructions necessary to make the Greek Key bracelet shown in the photo in one of two colorways. You will
also receive the patterns for the 1862 Peterson’s ‘H’ bracelet and the floral bracelet. No sewing skills required,
but great attitude and the desire to enjoy the company of others is required. Magnification and additional
lighting strongly recommended for those with vision challenges. Kit includes loom, thread, beads, bead storage
case and needles. Thursday or Friday, 9AM-Noon or 1:30-4:30 PM. Registration Fee: $35.00; Kit Fee: TBD
(however, it will be less than $20).
My Dearest and My Loyal Friend: ‘Everyday’ Mid-19th Century Dolls
Virginia Mescher
Girls have loved dolls for centuries, no matter if the doll was actually a stone or a French fashion
doll. Mid-19th century photographs of children occasionally show a child with a doll, but very few photographs
show an ‘everyday’ doll. The latter were very much loved dolls usually made at home: rag dolls, spool dolls, a
stick with a rag around it, scrap fabric rolled into dolls, or even a corncob with a scrap around the middle.
Primary resources provide many references to simple dolls; however, few ‘everyday’ dolls survive. This
workshop will give everyone a chance to see and make an ‘everyday’ doll. Participants will choose from one of
four doll kits: a penny wooden, one made from rolled fabric, a rag doll, or a corncob doll. Thursday 9AM-Noon
or 1:30-4:30 PM. Registration Fee: $35.00. The instructor will contact you with information on kits, kit fees,
and necessary supplies.
Whittling Whimsies
Tom Kelleher
The Whittling Boy by Winslow Homer
In the 19th century, a pocketknife was the constant companion of most American males. Just as
smartphones are today, jackknives were not only a practical tool with many applications that were almost
always with their owners; they also helped to pass the time and keep the user (and sometimes others) amused.
While aimlessly pointing sticks sufficed to entertain some whittlers, many men and boys turned their blades to
more artistic and clever tasks. This workshop will outline common 19th century knife types and styles, teach the
basics of knife sharpening and care, review preferred wood species and characteristics, explore images of some
historic whittled creations, and begin one of two common “whimsies:” balls-in-a-cage or a wooden chain.
Participants should bring their favorite pocket knife. Friday 9AM-Noon or 1:30-4:30 PM. Registration Fee:
$35.00; wood will be provided.
Hands-On Examination of Original Men’s Vests
Janine Whiteman
Are you thinking about making or purchasing a reproduction gentleman’s vest? Participants in this
workshop will have the opportunity to examine 25+ original men’s vests from the 1840s-1870s. Participants
will be able to study and photograph the fabrics, linings, notions, and construction techniques found on a variety
of vest styles. A handout will be provided with helpful tips to use when dating original vests or photographs.
There will also be a discussion regarding the various patterns available for men’s period vests. Participants may
wish to bring a magnifying glass, tape measure, and camera. Thursday or Friday, 9AM-Noon or 1:30-4:30 PM.
Registration Fee: $35.00
More Variations on Theme: Sleeve Styles for the Mid-19th Century
Carolann Schmitt
In our endeavor to create reproduction clothing that illustrates the common features of a particular
garment, we often overlook the many minor variations that add diversity to dress. Occasionally, the pendulum
swings too far in the opposite direction, resulting in extreme fashion rather than appropriate attire. This
presentation will focus on one aspect of period fashions: the sleeve. Using original garments, photographs and
illustrations, we will show how virtually all sleeves on mid-nineteenth century garments are based on few basic
shapes. But oh! What we can do with those shapes. After illustrating how to analyze the cut and shape of the
sleeve, we will show how basic sleeve shapes can be altered to reproduce a wide variety of styles found in
images and on garments on display at this symposium. This presentation will illustrate the creative and practical
skills that are a hallmark of mid-nineteenth century dressmakers, and help you add diversity to your wardrobe.
Participants will receive an extensive, profusely-illustrated hand-out. Friday, 2PM-5PM. Registration Fee:
$35.00; Handout Fee: TBA.
Senator Golladay Goes Shopping
Nicky Hughes, Susan Lyons Hughes, Colleen Formby
Which of these items is not appropriate for the mid-19th century?
In his presentations over the years, Senator Golladay has introduced symposium participants to mid-19th
century material culture – “the stuff” of daily living. This workshop will take it to the next level: learning how
to seek out and find original and good quality reproductions that are available for use in reenacting, and how to
shop for these items. This will be an on-site experience using the antique stores in New Oxford, PA, where
participants, accompanied by one of the instructors, will have the opportunity to see original and quality
reproductions in context with items that are not appropriate for our period of interpretation. Participants will
rotate through three shops. At each location one of the instructors will conduct a ‘gallery talk’ focusing on
certain aspects of material culture of the 19th century. Participants will then have an opportunity to seek out and
identify appropriate items, with the option of purchasing items if they wish. Participants will receive a color
booklet of period appropriate items of mid-19th century material culture to use as a reference during and after
the tours. The booklet will be divided into categories, e.g. textiles, glassware and bottles, ceramics, furniture,
metal items, etc. Participants must provide their own transportation to and from the workshop. New Oxford is
approximately 45 minutes from the Symposium hotel. Thursday or Friday afternoon, 1:30-4:30 PM.
Registration Fee: $35.00; resource booklet price TBD.
Hidden Treasures: The Shippensburg University Fashion Archives & Museum
Dr. Karin J. Bohleke, Director
The Shippensburg University Fashion Archives & Museum has moved to its new home! No more
basement galleries, no more steps! Tour the new location and see what’s hidden behind the scenes in this unique
educational laboratory and museum. Participants will participate in a tour of the new facility and will have the
opportunity to examine a selection of some of the 14,000 garments and accessories from the collection.
Depending on the opening date, you will also be able to view the current or about to open exhibit of Wedding
Apparel. Participants must provide their own transportation to and from the Museum. Proceeds from this
workshop/tour will benefit the Shippensburg University Fashion Archives and Museum. Thursday
9:30AM-12:30PM or 1:30-4:30PM. Registration Fee: $35.00.
Tour of the John Harris – Simon Cameron Mansion
The Historical Society of Dauphin County
This historic home has a long history. It was originally constructed in 1766 by John Harris, Jr., the son
of the first European immigrant in the area. The ownership of the house passed to his sons who lived in the
house until it was sold in 1835. In 1862 Simon Cameron resigned the office of Secretary of War and was
appointed as Minister (Ambassador) to Russia. Cameron made an offer for the Harris Mansion and shopped for
furnishings for his new home while making his way through Europe to Russia. Cameron returned to the US and
resigned his post in 1863. He moved to Harrisburg, making extensive renovations and additions to the house.
Participants will have an opportunity to tour the Mansion and view the furnishings Cameron selected for his
home. Participants must provide their own transportation to and from the Mansion. Proceeds from this tour
will benefit the Dauphin County Historical Society. Thursday 9:00AM-Noon or 1:30-4:30; Registration Fee:
$35.00.
Workshop/Behind the Scenes Tour of the National Civil War Museum
Wayne Motts, Executive Director, and Staff
The National Civil War Museum's encompasses the period from 1850 through 1876, incorporating
collections of artifacts, manuscripts, documents, photographs, and other printed matter. Participants in this
workshop/tour will learn the ins and outs of researching at this historical institution and by extension similar
historical museums including what is available, how to access the information and holdings, rules for
researching in a special collections environment, obtaining permissions for reproduction and publications and
more. A tour will highlight the Museum’s vast collection of artifacts and objects related to the American Civil
War including items not currently on display. Participants must provide their own transportation to and from
the Museum. Tour space is limited. Friday, 9AM-Noon or 1:30-4:30 PM. Registration Fee: $35.00. Proceeds
from this workshop/tour will benefit the National Civil War Museum.
Faculty
Annette Bethke has been involved in living history in one way or another for almost 30 years. She is
particularly interested in the civilian and home front experience during the American Civil War. Annette has
published articles in The Citizens’ Companion and the ALHFAM Bulletin; and has given presentations and
conducted workshops at previous Symposia, at Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museum
conferences and at community gatherings and schools.
Annette currently manages a website focusing on interpreting the civilian experience during the
American Civil War and an internet radio station playing music from the antebellum through the American
Civil War periods. She is originally from a small mining town in California named for a survivor of the Donner
Party, and now resides in Downingtown PA. She works for Chester County in the Department of Open Space
Preservation.
Karin J. Bohleke is the director of the Fashion Archives and Museum of Shippensburg University. She
holds a Ph.D. in French language and literature from Yale University, and also serves as an assistant adjunct
professor of French at Shippensburg and Penn State-Mont Alto. She formerly worked at Hood College in
Frederick, MD, where she taught French, Russian, Classical Mythology, and Humanities for the graduate
school. Karin has been an avid seamstress, embroiderer, and lace-maker since childhood. She and her husband
teach Civil War and historic social dancing, proctor balls, and lecture and perform. Together they collect
vintage clothing, fashion magazines in French and English, cased images, cartes de visite, cabinet cards, and
dance-related paper ephemera, and use their resources to teach others about American material culture.
Karin resides near Gettysburg, PA, and has presented her continuing research at annual symposia of the
Costume Society of America as well as published in Dress, The Daguerreian Annual, American Periodicals,
Civil War Historian and The Citizens’ Companion. Her research interests focus on the 19th century and include
fashion, early photography, pre-Tutankhamun Egyptomania fashions for women, the dissemination of French
fashions in the United States, and women’s travel accounts of journeys to Egypt. Her current research project
involves the study of clothing in 19th century photos of African Americans, both enslaved and free.
Beth Chamberlain has been fascinated by historic clothing since she was 5 years old, when her parents
took her to visit Williamsburg, VA; along the way cooking and other domestic issues joined the fascination.
Descended from a long line of needlewomen she was taught to sew and knit at a 19th century-appropriate age
and has never stopped. Beth has been an interpreter at old Bethpage Village Restoration for sixteen years and
can often be found there doing needlework or cooking demonstrations. She also occasionally gives talks at
genealogical societies and other groups.
Beth has a BS in Home Economics from Hood College and a MS in Library and Information Science.
She works as the Head of Technical Services at Touro Law Center. Beth is a member of the Costume Society of
America and the Association for Living History, Farms and Agricultural Museums.
Kay Cogswell has been involved in Civil War costuming activities since 1974. She is an active member
of the North-South Skirmish Association’s (N-SSA) Costume Committee, serving for two terms as Chair. She
is currently the Judge’s Coordinator and conducts sewing workshops for the Committee. Kay is an award
winning seamstress and also a prior winner of the N-SSA’s prestigious Delaney Award for the best reproduction
garment made by the contestant where it was judged on authenticity, construction, design and fit. In addition to
being an avid researcher of original civil war costumes, she is a collector of hair jewelry and possesses an
extensive collection of several hundred pieces.
Kay holds a B.S. in Management from George Mason University. After 42 years as a Labor Relations
Manager, Kay retired from Northrop Grumman Corporation in 2011. Kay resides in Vienna, VA with her
husband, Mike.
Betsy Connolly has been a living historian for over thirteen years. In that time, she has planned events
for groups ranging from ten to two hundred participants, including first-person immersion events, events with
military and civilian presence, and formal dinners and balls. Betsy is an active member and past secretary of
The Living History Society of Minnesota. She is the founder of The Historical Food Fortnightly, a blog project
on historical cooking, and blogs about her adventures in historical reenactment at In the Past Lane. Her research
interests include the Old Northwest in the antebellum and Civil War years, Minnesota history during the
territorial and early statehood period, abolition and reform movements in the mid-19th century, northern
civilians during the Civil War, and historic fashion and hairstyling.
Betsy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education - Social Sciences and graduate certification in
Online Instruction from The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. She is a senior instructional
designer for UnitedHealth Group, designing and developing training for customer service agents and claims
specialists. She lives in the St. Cloud, Minnesota area (also known as Lake Wobegon to fans of A Prairie Home
Companion) with a nefarious gray cat.
Jessica Craig has been reenacting for over 30 years. She started as a young child doing fashion shows
with her mother in original garments and grew up touring historic sites, battlefields, and cemeteries. Her passion
for history and historic architecture led her to complete a degree in Historic Preservation from Roger Williams
University. Jessica worked for several years doing architectural survey work for cultural resource management
firms in Rhode Island and New Hampshire. It was through reenacting that she met her husband, Tom, who
reenacts cavalry with the 1st Maine. Jessica, Tom and their eight-year-old twins, Parker and Abigail live in
Torrington, CT (the birthplace of John Brown).
Jessica’s ‘real’ job is in development research at The Hotchkiss School, a private high school in
Northwestern Connecticut. She is actively involved with the Atlantic Guard Soldiers’ Aid Society, is a reluctant
seamstress (out of necessity), and enjoys researching, traveling, and planning events. Jessica is the primary
organizer of annual civilian events at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Pennsylvania and Welbourne
Plantation in Virginia.
Kelly Dorman has been involved in 19th century living history since 1998 and is driven by a lifelong
fascination with the past into researching the lifestyles, clothing, handicrafts, foods and mindsets of the people
who lived during that time. A graduate of Michigan State University’s medical technology program, she is
employed at the Mackinac Island Medical Center, fulfilling the dream of living on historic Mackinac Island in
northern Michigan.
Kelly is also an award winning, internationally collected bead and fiber artist; her work frequently
combines her interests in science and history into a modern fusion that is unexpected but thought provoking.
Kelly and her husband Robin live year round in their Craftsman-style bungalow, surrounded by cats, beads,
books, fabrics and vintage clothing, enjoying the ever changing flow of the seasons on Mackinac Island.
Colleen Formby has been interested in the material culture of the 18th and 19th centuries for most of her
life. Some of her other interests include social history, the effect the War Between the States had on Southern
upper class women, as well as historic knitting, embroidery, and other forms of needlework (do we ever have
time for them all?). Colleen has graduate degrees in Vocal Performance from Radford University in Virginia, as
well as an MLS with a specialty in Archives and Preservation from the University of Maryland. Until recently,
she worked as a reference librarian in Prince George's County, Maryland, and was the special collections
librarian in charge of the Maryland Room for the county. She recently retired, built her new ‘old’ house in Hot
Springs, Arkansas, and is filling it with all her favorite things…..now to get to those needlework projects!
Robert ‘Vince’ Hawley, DVM, MPH, Major, U.S. Army, is a 2003 graduate of the Oklahoma State
University School of Veterinary Medicine and is currently the Chief of Medicine at the Walter Reed Army
Institute of Research. Raised up riding horses before he could walk, his family owned a cattle breeding
operation in Northwest Arkansas for several years before turning to mule training and breeding.
Vince has practiced small and large animal medicine for the government and in the private sector, both
stateside and overseas during his career. For the past seven years he has been involved in infectious disease
research and vaccine development. He currently makes his home in Frederick, Maryland with his daughters,
Camden and Claire, their cats Penelope and Virgo, koi fish and a bird.
Nicky Hughes retired in 2012 after a thirty-nine year career in public history. A graduate of Western
Kentucky University, he was curator of the Kentucky Military History Museum, curator of the Old State
Capitol, and museums division manager. Working for the Kentucky Division of Historic Properties, he helped
care for Kentucky’s capitol and executive mansions. As curator of historic sites for the City of Frankfort’s
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Sites he managed the Leslie Morris Park on Fort Hill Civil War
site and founded the Capital City Museum.
Involved with Civil War reenacting since 1981, he served in nearly all ranks in the infantry – both Union
and Confederate – and also served in the artillery and medical branches. In recent years, he has developed
several civilian impressions. Hughes was founding publisher of The Watchdog – a newsletter with the goal of
improving historical accuracy in reenacting. He was editor of Camp Chase Gazette and Civil War Historian –
both national magazines for reenactors. He has become a popular writer and lecturer about the material culture
of the Civil War era. He has been drum major and narrator for Saxton’s Cornet Band since 1989 and managed
Cornets & Cannons – The Civil War Sesquicentennial Music Festival. Hughes is co-author of three
photographic histories, is narrator for the Lexington Brass Band, has consulted on many museum and exhibit
design projects, was deeply involved in the development of the Mill Springs Battlefield Museum, and was a
member of the Kentucky War of 1812 Commission. Recently, Hughes has developed an interest in genealogy
and medieval history and hosted the highly successful Days of Knights medieval living history events in 2012
and 2014.
Susan Lyons Hughes was Manager of Museum and Special Programs at Shaker Village from 1994
until 2014. Susan holds a BA in History from Western Kentucky University and did graduate work at Western
and the University of Kentucky. She has had articles published in North and South Magazine, The Kentucky
Encyclopedia, and other national publications. She served as editor of The Citizens’ Companion, and associate
editor of Civil War Historian. Her research interests include 19th century funeral and mourning customs, historic
architecture, and 19th century religion. She is currently employed by kynect, Kentucky’s Healthcare
Connection. Susan and her husband, Nicky, enjoy food, wine, travel, and antiques. They collect and drive
classic and high performance Mustang automobiles, and are active in the Frankfort Mustangs Club.
Jim Johnson, Senior Manager, Venue Events and Village Programs, at the Henry Ford in Dearborn,
MI, has been with the organization for nearly 35 years. His entire career has been devoted to planning and
presenting a wide variety of historic public programs. Jim holds undergraduate degrees in history and historic
preservation from Eastern Michigan University, and a Master’s Degree in American History from Wayne State
University. His concentration of study and thesis was centered on the civilian perspective of Sharpsburg,
Maryland before, during, and after the Battle of Antietam.
Jim has a number of areas of interest that support his work at the Henry Ford that include historic
gardening and landscape design, agricultural history, historic foodways - especially holiday recipes, historic
interior design and architecture, and social history with a focus on the celebration of American holidays.
The new Ragtime Street Fair, Motor Muster, Old Car Festival, Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village, and Holiday
Nights are among the programs presented by Jim and his team at the Henry Ford.
Jim and wife Vivian reside in historic Monroe, Michigan.
Tom Kelleher is historian and curator at Old Sturbridge Village in central Massachusetts, where he also
coordinates training of paid and volunteer program staff. He has worked there for over 30 years in a variety of
capacities, and also regularly trains staff, speaks, demonstrates and consults with museums and historic sites
across the country. Tom holds a Master’s degree in History from the University of Connecticut, and currently
serves as president of the Association for Living History Farms and Agricultural Museums.
Tom has carried a jackknife since kindergarten, when he found one while playing in the woods. While
making no claims to be a wood carving artist, he has created many a pile of shavings while retaining all ten of
his fingers. In the unlikely event of minor bloodshed in his workshop, Tom is also a Registered Nurse.
Maggie Koenig was born and raised in the Midwest; she still has fond memories of cold and real snow.
In 2008 she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Costume Production from the University of WisconsinMilwaukee where she learned pattern making and costume crafts. Shortly after graduation she relocated to the
east coast to be closer to history.
She currently resides in Gettysburg, PA with her husband Brian and son, Isaac, who are each on a
mission to own more tools than the other. She works as museum assistant at Rose Hill Manor Park and Museum
in Frederick, Maryland, where she teaches history to children. She is also a freelance seamstress and
patternmaker. In her spare time she likes to reorganize her sewing room yet again.
K. Krewer has been a Civil War reenactor since 1981. In real life, she’s a civilian Army attorney,
serving as Deputy Command Counsel for the U.S. Army Materiel Command in Huntsville, AL. A member of
the Ladies’ Soldiers’ Friend Society of Nashville, she retains membership in the Michigan Soldiers’ Aid Society
and the 16th Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry. She earned a B.A. in political science, history and theatre from
Upper Iowa University; a J.D. from the University of Iowa; and a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the
Army War College. A collector of garments and accessories from 1840 - 1865, items from her collection have
been displayed at this and other conferences, seminars, history-related events, and museums. K is an ordained
Anglican deacon and is active in congregational, professional, and community service activities. She and Tom
Flaig, a firearms instructor and retired cowboy, were married in November, 2014 (who says opposites don't
attract?), and are busy planning what they want to do when they grow up.
Virginia Mescher graduated from Virginia Tech in 1972 with degrees in Management, Housing, and
Family Development, and education degrees in early, elementary, secondary and adult education. Although her
education does not reflect her great interest in Civil War civilian interpretation, Jen and her husband, Mike,
have been involved in civilian and military living history since 1988. After several years of trying to answer
questions posed to her, Virginia began researching several topics associated with home life. Her research led to
a writing career and she has published booklets, books, and articles in national publications that focus on the
Civil War.
Virginia has presented programs or workshops on 19th century laundry methods, food, chocolate, tea,
color differentiation in cartes d’visite, cosmetics, and feminine protection. She is a member of the Atlantic
Guard Soldiers’ Aid Society, the Society for Women in the Civil War, where she served on the board and was
president, and the Virginia 42nd Regiment, Company I.
Sally Ryan is a true Yankee, born and raised on a farm in central Pennsylvania. In 2008 she took an
early retirement from teaching Family and Consumer Studies at New Oxford (PA) Middle and High Schools
and married her best friend, partner and sweetheart, Capt. Gary Ryan, USN (Ret.). Sally is currently an adjunct
professor at Mount St. Mary’s University where she is professor-in-residence/university supervisor for teacher
interns from the Mount in Frederick County (MD) schools.
Sally is a member of the Atlantic Guards Soldiers’ Aid Society, the Society for Women and the Civil
War, the Blue-Gray Alliance, and the 69th NYSV Living History Association for which she is the Civilian
Coordinator. She and Gary live just south of Gettysburg in their country log home affectionately known as Fort
Ryan, where she knits, quilts, reads voraciously, researches a wide variety of topics including Irish
history/heritage and the civilian aspect of the American Civil War, and attempts to sew with the ‘assistance’ of
Clancy, a champion boxer, and Katie, an Irish wolfhound.
Carolann Schmitt attended her first reenactment in 1969. She founded the Genteel Arts Academy in
1988 to encourage interest in the clothing and needlework of the Civil War era and this year is celebrating her
16th anniversary as sponsor of the 1860s Conference/Civilian Symposium. She has a lifelong interest in historic
costume, sewing, needlework and knitting and believes you can never have too many books or too much fabric.
Carolann is a Past President and member of the Board of Directors of the Shippensburg University
Fashion Archives and Museum, a member of the Costume Society of America and the Association for Living
History Farms and Museums (ALHFAM), and is active in the North-South Skirmish Association. She has
contributed articles to several Civil War-themed publications and is a featured speaker at conferences and
historic sites throughout the country.
Carolann recently retired from her 21st century career. She and her husband, Don, are looking forward to
spending more time pursuing their interests in history and travel. She estimates it will be 2137 before she
completes the items on her “to-do when I retire” list.
Bob Sullivan has been interested in American History as long as he can remember. His history-related
accomplishments include three summers as a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park,
summer employment at Ft. McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, and an article
published in the Journal of the Company of Military Historians. Bob’s interest in military paperwork and books
began as soon as he discovered that paper was cheaper to buy than other original items. He has contributed his
research skills and knowledge to authors, prop masters, and museum directors. His personal collection of 19th
century paper items numbers over 250 items at present.
Bob is currently employed by Springhouse Education and Consulting Services in Exton, PA, as a Lead
Business Analyst and an Instructor teaching over 40 different classes. He has used his knowledge of computer
skills and historic paperwork to create his successful side business, Sullivan Press, ongoing since 1989. He is
married with two daughters.
Janine Whiteman has been researching women's and children's clothing and accessories of the Civil
War era for over 20 years. Along with her husband Phillip, she started the PNJW Collections Civilian Exhibit in
1997. Not only did she want to collect and study period clothing, she enjoys displaying and allowing others to
see the collection as well. Reading diaries and letters of those who lived in the mid-19th century is one of her
favorite pastimes. She has a business degree and is involved in information technology and product
management.
Phillip Whiteman is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. He has a history degree from the University of
Alabama and has been involved with reenacting/living history for 20 years. He started reenacting in a civilian
role rather than a military one and has maintained his civilian interests in the mid-19th century culture. Along
with 19th century men's clothing, his primary interests are monetary and political aspects of the Civil War. He
has participated in living history programs primarily at National Parks and at the historic homes of Roswell,
Georgia. He has also provided educational presentations at Civil War reenactments, National and Regional
conferences, historical society meetings, and civic meetings.
Phillip is a member of the Roswell Historical Society and assists at the society's Research Library and
Archives. He is a tour guide for the Historic Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau. Phillip’s military
reenacting experience has been with the 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry living history unit and the Kennesaw
Mountain National Battlefield Park Cannon Crew.
The Pleasure of Your Company is requested at a Welcome Reception…
Please join us Thursday evening to meet the speakers and your fellow participants. The evening will
include some games, door prizes, a slide show of highlights from previous conferences, and entertainment.
Wrappers, dressing gowns and other forms of period lounge wear are welcome but not required. Light
refreshments will be served; a cash bar will be available. Please contact Maggie Koenig at
hhalb94479<at>aol.com if you would like to entertain your fellow participants with a vocal or instrumental
presentation, a reading, a skit, or other form of period entertainment.
…and a Ball
You are invited to join us after dinner on Saturday evening for a formal ball. Dancing will be led by
Norma Calhoun and Wayne Belt. Music will be provided by the period ensemble Smash the Windows.
All levels of dancers can participate and a partner is not necessary. Your best period attire is requested
but not required; appropriate modern dress is acceptable.
You are welcome to join us for dinner and the ball, or the ball only. Please refer to the registration form
for fees for dinner and/or ball guests. The general public may purchase tickets beginning February 6.
Angels’ Project
We borrowed the concept for this project from the Costume Society of America, which has conducted
Angels’ Projects in conjunction with their annual Symposia for several years.
On Wednesday, March 9, a limited number of Symposium participants will have the opportunity to
assist one of our favorite sites. The Shippensburg University Fashion Archives and Museum has moved into
their new location, but still needs assistance with a variety of projects and tasks. This is a ‘work day’, but
participants will have the opportunity to view selected items from the collection. Volunteers must supply their
own transportation to and from the museum location. Additional details will be provided by SUFAM Director
Karin Bohleke.
Needlework Competition
Many of you are interested in reproducing mid-19th century clothing and accessories. It's time to get out
your work basket and create an entry for this year's competition for the best reproduction of a white cotton
petticoat.
Entries must be a petticoat that would be worn under or over a skirt support c.1855-1865. Corded
petticoats are not eligible for this competition. Documentation is limited to one side of 8.5" x 11" page. Entries
are limited to registered Conference participants only.
Participants will be divided into two categories. Those who have won in a previous competition –
judged or popular ballot – will compete in the Masters Class. Those who have never won in a previous
competition – judged or popular ballot – including those who were awarded Honorable Mention awards, will
compete in the Needleworkers Class. Two prizes will be awarded in each class: one for the best reproduction as
judged by the speakers and one for the entry selected by popular ballot of the conference participants. Judging
will be based on total points awarded for:
 Overall Appearance
 Fabrics and Materials
 Trimmings and Embellishments
 Construction
 Workmanship/quality of detail
 Documentation
 Judges' Points
 Pre-registration is not required. A registration form will be included in the confirmation packet.
Please contact us with any questions you may have.
The Marketplace
The Marketplace features a juried group of merchants offering carefully selected and documented
merchandise. The Marketplace is open to symposium participants and the general public, and will be open:
 Friday
11 AM - 7 PM
 Saturday
7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
 Sunday
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
A complete list of vendors and merchandise will be published at a later date.
NOTE: Merchant inquiries and requests for an application should be sent to Deborah McBeth, 28 Forest
Street, Danvers, MA 01923 or at DLMAMSTS<@>aol.com Space is VERY limited and efforts are made to not
duplicate the selection of merchandise.
Hotel Information
Radisson Hotel Harrisburg (formerly Radisson Penn Harris Hotel)
1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill, PA 17011-3734
(717) 763-7117 phone • (717) 763-4518 (fax)
http://www.radisson.com/camp-hill-hotel-pa-17011-3734/pacamphi
The Radisson Hotel Harrisburg is located across the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg in Camp Hill,
PA. The hotel features recently upgraded rooms with new furnishings, easy access to multiple outlets, a
comfortable work space and faster free Wi-Fi Internet. The hotel has a full-service restaurant and a fitness
center.
The Radisson is 15 minutes from the Harrisburg International Airport and the Amtrak train station. It is
within close proximity of I-81, I-83, I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) and US Route 15. Driving time is 2 hours for
those flying into Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall airport and 2.5 hours for those flying into
Washington Dulles or Reagan National Airport. The Radisson provides a complimentary 24-hour shuttle
service to and from the Harrisburg airport and the train station.
A block of rooms has been saved at $110.00 plus tax per night with 1- 4 persons per room. If you would
like to extend your stay before or after the Symposium, the Symposium rate will be offered from March 6
through March 15, 2016, subject to availability of guest rooms at the time of reservation.
To receive the discounted rate, please call the hotel directly and mention that you are with the Civilian
Symposium at Harrisburg. The Symposium rate is not available online. The hotel will honor the Symposium
rate for reservations made on or before February 8, 2016. Requests received after this date will be accepted
on a space/rate available basis. All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card or advance deposit.
There will be no cancellation charge for reservations cancelled 48 hours in advance. If reservations are
not canceled 48 hours in advance, a “no-show” fee equal to one night’s room and tax charges will be assessed.
Hotel check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Early check-in may be permitted if rooms are available.
When registering, please advise the hotel if you are disabled or have special needs. Handicapped and
first floor rooms have been reserved for the Symposium but the number of available rooms is limited. We
respectfully request that only participants who need special consideration request these rooms.
The hotel has been sold out in past years. You are strongly encouraged to make your reservations early.
Schedule
(Subject to Change)
Wednesday, March 9
9:00 Angels Project at Shippensburg University Fashion Archives and Museum
5:00 Registration Open until 8PM – Hotel Lobby
Thursday, March 10
8:00 Registration Opens – Hotel Lobby
9:00 Pre-Symposium Hands-On Workshops, Seminars and Tours – Morning Sessions
1:30 Pre-Symposium Hands-On Workshops, Seminars and Tours – Afternoon Sessions
7:30 Welcome Reception and Sociable – Governors Ballroom
Friday, March 11
8:00 Registration Opens – Convention Center Lobby
9:00 Pre-Symposium Break-Out Sessions, Hands-On Workshops and Tours – Morning Sessions
11:00 Marketplace opens.
1:30 Pre-Symposium Break-Out Sessions, Hands-On Workshops and Tours – Afternoon Sessions
5:00 Exhibits open
7:00 Marketplace closes. Symposium opens. Combined session – all participants will attend.
7:15 Frozen Assets: The Ice Industry and Ice Harvesting in 19th Century America – Tom Kelleher
8:15 Exhibits open for viewing and photography
9:30 Exhibits close
Saturday March 12
7:00 Breakfast – Ballroom South
7:30 Marketplace opens
8:00 Opening Remarks – Presentation of Faculty in Symposium Fabrics – Combined Session Ballroom North
8:30 Concurrent Programs A and B begin – Ballroom North and Governors B
12:15 Lunch Served – Ballroom South. Door Prize Drawing. Exhibits and Marketplace open.
2:00 Concurrent Programs A and B continue
5:30 Exhibits and Marketplace close
6:00 Reception – Ballroom South
6:30 Dinner - Ballroom South
8:00 Ball – Ballroom South (starting time is approximate). The ball will conclude at 10:30 PM.
Program A
8:30 “For the Fashion of this World Passeth Away”: Identifying Changes in Mid-Victorian Clothing Styles
for Women – K. Krewer
9:30 Break
9:45 Readin’, Ritin’, Rithmetic, Reality: Education in Mid-19th Century America – Sally Ryan
10:45
11:00
12:00
2:00
3:00
3:30
4:30
Break
“Lace is Always Handsome and Fashionable” – Beth Chamberlain
Break. Lunch served at 12:15 in Ballroom South. Displays and Marketplace open.
To the Madhouse: Female Incarceration in 19th Century Asylums for the Insane – Annette Bethke
Break
Fashion Meets Technology: Skirt Supporting Petticoats – Carolann Schmitt
Sessions Close
Program B
8:35 Mail Call: A look at Letters Home from Sherman’s Soldiers – Phillip Whiteman
9:35 Break
9:50 A Field Guide for Spotting Furniture for the Early-Mid 1860s – Jim Johnson
10:50 Break
11:05 The Animal that Forged America: The Indestructible Mule – Vince Hawley
12:15 Break. Lunch Served – Ballroom South. Displays and Marketplace open.
2:05 A Dollar Book for a Dime! The Rise of Beadle and Adams – Bob Sullivan
3:05 Break
3:35 The Other Side of Temperance: The Manufacture, Sale & Consumption of Whiskey in Mid-19th Century
America – Nicky Hughes
4:35 Sessions Close
Daylight Savings Time Begins at 2AM Sunday Morning!
Set your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed Saturday night!
Sunday, March 13
8:00 Breakfast – Ballroom South
8:30 Marketplace opens.
9:00 You Can Do It! Developing a Toolbox for Planning Civilian Immersion Events – Jessica Craig & Betsy
Connolly
10:00 Break
10:30 So Much More Than a Research Tool: Taking a Closer Look at Cartes d’Visite – Kelly Dorman
11:30 Closing remarks
11:45 Symposium closes
12:30 Marketplace closes
General Information
How do I register for the Symposium?
A link to a printable registration form in PDF format can be found on this website. Registration forms are also
included in the Symposium brochure. Contact us if you would like a Symposium brochure and/or registration
form mailed to you. Please complete a separate form for each participant. You may register:
 By mail. Send completed registration form with your payment to:
Genteel Arts LLC
PO Box 3014
Gettysburg, PA 17325-0014
 By secure fax. Send copies of the completed form to 717-337-0314
 By telephone at 717-337-0283. Please leave a message if we are not available and we will return your
call as soon as possible.
 By e-mail. Complete the form and send it as an attachment to Carolann Schmitt at the e-mail address
found on the home page.
 Please check your form for completion. Don’t forget to note if you prefer a vegetarian entrée for dinner.
Registration is limited and pre-symposium programs fill quickly. Don’t be disappointed; early registration is
strongly encouraged!
What is included in the registration fee?
The registration fee includes the Welcome Reception, presentations, exhibits of original garments, symposium
notebook, door prizes, unlimited access to the Marketplace, breakfast, lunch, and breaks on Saturday, breakfast
and break on Sunday. Additional fees for break-out sessions, hands-on workshops, tours, Saturday evening
dinner, and Saturday evening ball.
How do I make payment for my registration?
Checks or money orders should be mailed with your registration form to the address at the top of this page.
Those requesting payment via credit card will be sent an invoice via email. Click on the secure link in the email
and enter your payment information. You will receive a confirmation via return email.
Do you accept installment payments?
A two-payment plan is offered. The first payment of $100.00 must be included with the registration form; the
second payment of $100.00 (includes a $5.00 handling fee) must be received no later than February 6, 2016 or
late fees will apply. Full payment for break-out sessions, hands-on workshops and tours must be included with
the initial registration form.
I’m a poor college student on a very limited budget. Do you offer a student discount?
A reduced registration fee of $165.00 is offered to full-time students. Please include a photocopy of your
student identification with your registration.
May my son/daughter attend?
Well-behaved young ladies and gentlemen age 17 and under are invited to attend with a responsible parent or
adult. A special registration rate is available. Junior participants receive the same benefits as adult participants.
What meals are included with the registration fee?
Saturday breakfast, lunch, morning and afternoon breaks; Sunday breakfast and morning break. Saturday dinner
is available for an additional fee, as are meal packages for guests.
I’m a vegetarian. Will there be something I can eat?
A vegetarian option is available for Saturday dinner; please indicate your preference on the registration form.
All other meals are buffets with a variety of selections that should accommodate most diets. Please contact us if
you need more specific information; the hotel will attempt to accommodate medically necessary diets.
Are there any programs for guests who are not participating in the symposium?
Guests are invited to join us for the Welcome Reception Thursday evening. Guests may also register for the preSymposium workshops and tours, and purchase tickets to attend the Ball. Several meal plans are available for
guests; details are listed on the registration form. Please include guest name(s) on the registration form. There
are many attractions of historical and general interest in the area.
I’d like to attend some of the off-site tours and workshops but I’m flying to the Symposium and won’t have a
car.
Car-pooling is encouraged for our off-site activities, and we’ll be happy to help coordinate rides for those who
won’t have a vehicle.
Do we dress in period attire?
Your best period attire is requested but not required for dinner and/or the Ball on Saturday evening. You are
invited but not required to wear your period wrappers, dressing gowns, smoking jackets or lounging attire for
the Welcome Reception Thursday evening. Modern casual dress is appropriate for the remainder of the
Symposium.
Please explain the seating at dinner.
We understand that some of you enjoy meeting new people who share your interest in Civil War era clothing
and culture. We also understand that some of you prefer sitting with someone you already know. In true
Victorian fashion, we assign seating at dinner to avoid confusion and last minute scrambles for seats. Dinner
guests, of course, are seated with their partners. Please indicate your seating preference on the registration form.
Tables are set for groups of eight.
On Saturday I’d like to attend some of presentations on Program A and some of the presentations on Program
B. Do I need to pre-register or specify which presentations I’d like to attend?
Pre-registration is not required for any of the concurrent sessions on Saturday. You may cross from one
program to the other as you wish. Please note the Program B meeting room is smaller and seating is limited.
Can we come for dinner and the Ball or for the Ball only if we’re not registered for the Symposium?
Tickets for dinner and/or the ball can be purchased by the general public beginning February 7, 2016, by
submitting a registration form with your payment.
Does the notebook include the handouts for all of the presentations?
Yes, it does.
How far is it from the hotel to the Conference Center?
The hotel and Conference Center are in adjacent buildings connected by a covered walkway. No long walks, no
driving.
Does the hotel have a restaurant or coffee shop?
The hotel has a full-service restaurant, “The Bridges”, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are also
several restaurants and fast-food options within walking distance or a short drive of the hotel.
The Symposium will be part of our vacation. Can we arrive at the hotel a few days early, or stay over a few
days?
Yes! And the hotel will honor the symposium rate from March 6 through March 15, 2016. You must state you
are with the Civilian Symposium at Harrisburg when registering to receive the special rate for your entire stay.
Reservations must be made no later than February 8, 2016 and secured with a credit card or advance deposit.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
A $15.00 handling fee will be charged on all cancellations.
• Cancellations on or before January 15, 2016
Full refund minus the handling fee
• Between January 16 & February 6, 2016
50% refund
• On or after February 7, 2016
No refunds; Substitutions permitted. In certain
circumstances partial credit toward future Genteel Arts
sponsored events may be considered.