Description

While Union and Confederate armies engaged one another on the bloody fields of Gettysburg, the civilians of the town had a front row seat to a momentous event in American history. But in many ways, the civilian experience of the battle was less a front row seat and more an active role. Join historian Evan Portman for this special Civil War presentation.

Much like the soldiers and generals, the civilians helped shape the outcome of the battle in their own indelible ways. From John Burns to Sarah Broadhead, nearly every Gettysburg resident was touched by the battle and contributed to its legacy. Those three fateful days in July 1863 would change their lives and their community forever.

Evan Portman has been passionate about history for as long as he can remember. He has enjoyed reading, writing, speaking, and learning about the Civil War ever since he took a trip to Gettysburg as a seven-year-old. 

Evan is a Copie Hill Civil War Fellow with the American Battlefield Trust. He is a contributor to Emerging Civil War.

This program is part of Sewickley Public Library's America 250 program series. 

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