Kenosha Civil War Museum

It was a miserable rainy and cold day. But the company made it so very cheerful in spite of it. When we visited the Midwest this month, we were able to catch up with our friends and colleagues. We lived in Milwaukee for thirty years and it was really nice to see so many familiar faces. I belonged to the Milwaukee Civil War round table, and at one time had an interest in history. So we were treated to a tour of a friend’s brother’s home that is literally a civil war museum - filled with Civil War artifacts. After that we all headed to the Kenosha Civil War Museum and had a personal tour of the museum by the same person who owned his own treasures. This person is a past president of the round table and remains very active in the community by presenting interesting topics to a variety of groups. So the explanations of venues was humorous and well versed. Later in our visit another one of our friends gave us a personal tour of the Milwaukee Art Museum. What more could we ask for? Actually we prefer their company the most - the tours were an interesting byproduct. 

Gettysburg Battlefield

There are three main elements to visiting Gettysburg - the Eisenhower farm, the museum and cyclorama, and the battlefield. We have driven through the battlefield a few times, but never on a cloudy, cold, rainy afternoon. Our friends were visiting from Milwaukee, and this was an opportunity to take a one and a half hour ride to Pennsylvania. We saw the movie Gettysburg all those years ago. My favorite character was Joshua Chamberlain of Little Round Top fame. And of course, I liked Richard Jordan who played Lewis Armistead. I don't remember the details of this battle, except it was in July, hot as heck, and many people perished. My interest in the civil war was the social aspects, how people lived, and medical care at the time. So after visiting the Eisenhower farm, we got in the car and followed the map, stopping only for a couple photo shoots, recognizing the names of places, and walking up to Little Round Top. The view is spectacular and sad at the same time. We ran in to horse back tourists, and waved to them as we passed by. The scenery remains pretty much as it was then, but a lot less busy with tourists at this time of year. It's a solemn feel whenever I've been there. Perhaps a good reminder. 

 

Gettysburg Museum

It's been awhile since we went to Gettysburg. The first time I was there it was with my family when I was about 7 or 8, in the hot summer. We have been through the battlefield several times since. We had reason to go again last week when our friends were visiting from Wisconsin. The main reason was to see the Eisenhower farm. But you really can't see that alone without also seeing the museum and the battlefield. You need to stop at the visitor center to catch a bus to the farm, and the bus drives through the battlefield. So we started our visit at the center and spent a few minutes checking out the museum before the bus came. I always liked history and was a member of the Milwaukee Civil War Round Table for many years. But my interest was in the social aspects, how people lived, and the medicine of the time. The visitor center was completely redone since the last time we were there. Because of time limits, we didn't go see the cyclorama or movie, which may have been good to get regrounded in the events that happened during that very hot July. I have never been one to read every placard, or stop and gaze at every little corner in any museum. It was not very busy this time of year, and it was cold and damp to boot. As I've gotten older, my interest in some of these things has waned. I'm not sure why. All I can think of is how did the citizens cope with such a devastation as this? I just hope we never have to witness the likes of it again.