Commemoration of the
Sesquicentennial of the
United States Civil War
The History and Political Science Department of Worcester State University is sponsoring a multi-year commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the United States Civil War.
Fall 2012 Events
October 10, 2012
“Clara Barton: A One-Woman Play”
The Department proudly presents Pat Jordan portraying Clara Barton, on Wednesday, Oct 10th at 10:30 am in the Sullivan Auditorium. A second performance will be held in the Ghosh Science Auditorium at 5:30 pm. All events are free and open to the public.
November 15, 2012
“Colleges and the Civil War”
The Department of History and Political Science at Worcester State University welcomes Professor Michael Cohen of the University of Tennessee. Dr. Cohen, a Worcester native, is the author of the new book Reconstructing the Campus: Higher Education and the American Civil War, University of Virginia Press (2012). He wil speak about the experiences of colleges and their students during the war, when the Union and Confederate Armies commandeered some campuses and many students joined those armies as soldiers or nurses. He will also discuss the Civil War's lasting influence on higher education, including the expansion of access to African Americans and the working class. This event will be Thursday, November 15 from 10 am - 12 noon in the Student Center Blue Lounge. All events are free and open to the public.
Spring 2012 Events
February 15, 2012
“Abraham Lincoln: A One-Man Play”
The Department proudly presents James A. Getty portraying President Abraham Lincoln, on Wednesday, Feb 15th at 10am in the Sullivan Auditorium. A second performance will be held in the Student Center North/South Auditorium at 7:30 pm, and Mr. Getty will present a bibliographical presentation of his research at 2 pm in Sullivan's Eager Auditorium. All events are free and open to the public. Mr. Getty has been portraying Abraham Lincoln since 1978 and has been featured on television and special appearances throughout the US and Canada, in addition to his work as a high school choral music instructor.
March 14, 2012
“Harriet Tubman: A One-Woman Play”
Join us as Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti performs in character as Harriet Tubman, the African American abolitionist, humanitarian and Union spy. Tubman escaped from slavery and then rescued more than 70 slaves along the Underground Railroad, and devoted her life to the struggle for equality, civil rights, and women's suffrage. Ms. Quezaire-Presutti is a professional storyteller and educator who frequently performs as Harriet Tubman. This event will be Wednesday, March 14 at 10 am in Sullivan Auditorium, with a bibliographic presentation of her research at 2 pm in Eager Auditorium in the Sullivan Building. All events are free and open to the public.
April 12, 2012
“Men of Color to Arms! The Story of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment”
We proudly welcome Ryan McNabb, Boston African American National Historic Site Park Ranger, along with Sergeant Emmett Bell-Sykes, President of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Company A, for a special presentation at 2 pm on April 12th in the Eager Auditorium of the Sullivan Building. All events are free and open to the public.
Fall 2011 Events
October 5, 2011
WSU welcomes Historical storyteller Guy Peatree to campus on October 5th for three events. Peartree has been telling stories since 1989. He performs historical characterizations of Frederick Douglass, William Brown and George Washington Carver; as well as folktales from around the world. Guy Peartree also writes his own tales and believes the task of the writer and the storyteller is the same: "To let the voices of our culture and imagination speak." Guy Peartree has performed in museums, colleges, schools, churches and libraries throughout New England and the country. He brings a love of folklore, writing, and history to the craft of storytelling and employs storytelling to motivate children to write creatively. His storytelling is signatured by engaging characterizations evoked through voice, pantomime and dialogue. His historical portrayals are faithful to the folkloric elements that broaden and enliven history. Born in North Carolina, Mr. Peartree is African-American with a mix of Cherokee. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology and Linguistics from University of Massachusetts and a Masters in Religious Education from Andover Newton Theological School.
Frederick Douglass:
Stories Are a Tellin' by Guy Peartree
Sullivan Auditorium :: 10 a.m.
The commemoration will begin with a one man play of Frederick Douglass by Guy Peartree of Boston.
This event is open to all local college students as well as students from Worcester schools. Free event.
“Dramatic Story Telling as a Window into History”
Sullivan Building, Eager Aud. (146) :: 2 p.m.
Historical storyteller Guy Peartree will hold a workshop for WSU students on "Dramatic Story Telling as Window into History." This event is open to Worcester State students.
Frederick Douglass:
Stories Are a Tellin' by Guy Peartree
Sullivan Auditorium :: 7:30 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public.
October 26, 2011
“Migration of Former Slaves & their Search for Equality in Worcester, Massachusetts”
Ghosh Auditorium :: 2 p.m.
Worcester State welcomes Prof. Janette Greenwood of Clark University for this presentation. Free and open to the public.
November 16, 2011
Viewing of the film: "The Conspirator"
Sullivan Building, Eager Aud. (146) :: 2 p.m.
Join us for a viewing and discussion of the acclaimed 2010 Robert Redford-directed film about the Lincoln assassination conspiracy.
November 17, 2011
Making of "The Conspirator"
Ghosh Auditorium :: 2 p.m.
Professor Thomas Turner of Bridgewater State University will do a presentation on his recent consultative role in the movie “The Conspirator.” Free and open to the public.