Commonwealth Speaker, Civil War Historian
Anthony Waskie to Portray
Gen. George G. Meade at Muncy
The Muncy Historical Society will host the Commonwealth Speaker and nationally-recognized Civil War preservationist, Anthony Waskie, specializing in the life of General George G. Meade at the First United Methodist Church, 602 S. Market Street, Sunday, October 14 at 2:30 pm. Doors open at 1:30. The presentation is free and open to the public.
Using Meade’s own words and extensive background research, Anthony Waskie, speaking as General Meade, recounts the general’s career and services to the nation. From his work as an engineer and lighthouse builder, to combat in the Seminole and Mexican Wars, to his assuming command of the Union Army on the eve of the Battle of Gettysburg (where he handed Lee his first defeat), Meade was integral to the survival of the Union. Not only successful in war, Meade also designed Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, founded two schools for orphans of Civil War veterans and helped integrate surviving veterans back into peaceful pursuits. Audiences are encourage to ask the “General” questions about his life and work.
Anthony Waskie is a Civil War historian, author, living history performer and preservationist specializing in the life of General George G. Meade. Waskie serves as President of the General Meade Society and Vice President of the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum & Library. He teaches in the Civil War and Emancipation Studies program at Temple University. Waskie received his MA and PhD degrees from New York University and his undergraduate degree from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
This presentation is a program of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, sponsored in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. PHC inspires people to come together to share a life of learning. The Pennsylvania Museum is proud to host this program to further its mission of bringing the community together to learn about and share our local history.
In addition to Dr. Waskie’s first-person General Meade presentation, Muncy Historical Society volunteers will exhibit local Civil War memorabilia from a private collection. Young people, twelve and under, will each receive a free coloring book entitled “Billy Yank – the Union Soldier in the Civil War” and copies of “This Republic of Suffering – Death and the American Civil War” will be distributed as door prizes. Light refreshments will be served following the presentation.
Call (570) 546-5917 or visit the society’s website, www.MuncyHistoricalSociety.org, for more information.
