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Greenville & Hockessin Life

Hagley Museum to mark Civil War's conclusion with month of events

Apr 16, 2015 12:30PM ● By J. Chambless
Hagley Museum and Library is marking the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War with a month of programs and events.
During the Civil War, the DuPont Company produced almost half of the gunpowder purchased for use by Union forces, and members of the du Pont and other local families served in the powder yard and in the armed forces. Hagley Museum, whose property includes the first DuPont Company gunpowder manufactory and company headquarters, will host a lecture on June 3 on how the end of the Civil War impacted the region and state, a bus tour on June 13 and 14 to Five Forks Battlefield and Appomattox Court House National Park, and a family weekend on June 27 and 28 featuring a naval living history experience.
Hagley archivist Lucas Clawson will discuss how DuPont, the people of the Brandywine, and Delawareans dealt with the aftermath of America’s most devastating conflict, the American Civil War, on June 3. 
The war took a heavy toll on Delaware. Thousands of Delawareans fought and died in this conflict, the state’s industries produced record amounts of war materiels, and Delaware’s politicians fought bitterly among themselves over issues like slavery, states’ rights, and President Lincoln’s war policy. When the war’s last shots were fired in 1865, peace did not immediately come to Delaware. Some of the wounds created by the war lingered on for decades. Others never healed. The program begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Reservations are requested (call 302-658-2400, ext. 261). The lecture will be held in the Auditorium of Hagley’s Soda House building. Use Hagley’s Buck Road East entrance off Route 100 in Wilmington.
The Battle of Five Forks was the last major battle of the Civil War. Hagley and the Delaware Historical Society will host a bus tour to Five Forks Battlefield and Appomattox Court House National Historic Park on June 13 and 14. Guided by Justin Carisio, Civil War historian, the tour will highlight the role of the Delaware regiments in the final days of the war. Reservations are required by May 11. Visit www.hagley.org for more information and registration.
On June 27 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Hagley will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War with a two-day naval living history experience with officers and crew of the USS Lehigh. Guests will enjoy family activities and entertainment. The weekend also features a ceremony honoring Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont. There will be a bucket brigade, stretcher obstacle course, and living history demonstrations. Activities are included in regular admission ($14 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, $5 for ages 6 to 14, and free for members and children 5 and younger). Use Hagley’s main entrance off Route 141 in Wilmington.
For more information, call 302-658-2400 weekdays or visit www.hagley.org.


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