Sunday, July 13, 2008
An update on the Cyclorama
At the end of my shift at the VC on Friday, one of my managers took me upstairs to check out the Cyclorama. They were beginning to install the diorama part of it, including a cannon that is in line with the other cannons in the painting. The actual restoration is pretty much complete and now it's just getting the rest of it set up and the room/hallways/stairs ready for visitors. It's set to open September 26th and put plainly, it is going to be awesome. We've been giving out coupons for 50% off a New Birth of Freedom/Cyclorama ticket and they have no expiration date, so if you find yourself at the Visitor Center before September, make sure you track one down so you can save a bit when you return for the multi-media experience.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Interview with Zack Fry
Zack Fry is a history student at Kent State University who has studied the Civil War for most of his life. He has been published in Gettysburg Magazine, The Ohio Civil War Genealogy Journal, and other periodicals. Among the groups he has led on battlefield tours are the Civil War Education Association, Military History Online, and the Gettysburg Discussion Group. He also regularly gives presentations at local libraries and historical societies. Most importantly, he's also a good friend of mine.
Sarah Adler (SA): How did you first become interested in the 59th New York?
Zack Fry (ZF): My fascination started when I realized that much of the regiment was actually from my area of Ohio. I learned the story of their horrific experiences at Antietam, and I soon found that a man from nearby Bellville won the Medal of Honor at Gettysburg. Early in the project, I received copies of the Jacob L. Bechtel letters, an invaluable first-hand account of day-to-day life in the regiment. Bechtel wrote the letters to his sweetheart in Bellville. They really put a human face on the story. From there, my interest grew to include the entire regiment and all their experiences, from Antietam to Gettysburg to the end of the war.
SA: What would you say is the biggest obstacle you've needed to overcome as a young historian?
ZF: That's a tough question. In a strictly practical sense, it's realizing you don't have the means yet to do some of the more detailed research at distant facilities like the NARA in Washington. That day will come, and hopefully very soon. My initial interest was mainly the Ohioans in the 59th, and, unfortunately, just about all the records for their involvement are indeed in New York or Washington. I've made indispensable connections in some very fine historians who have helped me along the way, though, and I'm thankful for that every day.
SA: I know that you have faced some sporadic opposition to your findings. Would you say that this has actually helped you in some ways?
ZF: Nobody who puts his findings on the line escapes some mild criticism. Fortunately, the vast (and I mean nearly unanimous) majority of feedback I've received on my 59th research and interpretation has been complimentary and supportive. Of course criticism makes you a better historian - it keeps you focused, keeps you alert, and keeps you careful in what you say and how you say it. It sounds trite, but the true key to accepting criticism is to learn from it. Where the criticism is correct, vow to avoid that fault in the future. If it is scurrilous or destructive, look past it, and hope others do the same when they witness it happening. That's how I see it right now.
SA: You took the Gettysburg battlefield guide written exam when you were sixteen, right?
ZF: Fourteen, actually. It was in 2002. I remember it well. I think there were about 200 participants, and I wasn't in the top twenty, of course. Unfortunately, I learned the most about the Battle of Gettysburg in the following two years!
SA: So you were the youngest ever to take the exam?
ZF: I have no idea. I think someone at the site said I was, but that would be a difficult thing to determine, and I suppose it wouldn't mean much even if I were. Doing things because you'll be "the youngest" is a bad inspiration, I think; doing them because you believe you can succeed or because you enjoy them is better. Going back to the previous topic - if you're serious about studying history, and especially about being published, you should be willing to accept criticism in whatever fashion it is presented to you. Age must necessarily be immaterial at that point if you hope to be taken seriously.
SA: What would you say is your dream job?
ZF: Any occupation where I can tell others about the historical topics I love and be in the company of those who share my interest. I'd particularly like to teach. One thing is for sure - I hope I never stop learning. I love to research.
SA: You do a lot of your own artwork when you write. How did you get the idea to start sketching to accompany your articles?
ZF: I've always enjoyed portrait sketching, and many friends suggested I use that to my advantage in my writings. When I was just beginning serious research on the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Assault several years ago, I read Kathy Georg Harrison's "Nothing But Glory," wherein the author included her own excellent sketches of key participants. I thought that really gave the piece a personal touch, so it kind of inspired me to do the same. Sketch art for me is a hobby, but it's a very convenient and enjoyable one.
SA: You lead the occasional battlefield tour. Would you say you prefer giving tours to writing?
ZF: Both are incredibly rewarding, I think. Writing and speaking both involve a great deal of research, which I enjoy to no end. Of course, I can amass more detail in the story when I write, but that venue also lacks the face-to-face interaction that makes battlefield tours remarkable. I'm thankful to have had ample opportunities for both. A historian must be able to argue his case effectively in writing and in person. It's satisfying to be part of a published piece, but it's also very rewarding to be on the battlefield and see firsthand that your point is getting through to someone. I've also made great friends in some truly wonderful people on tours, such as fellow Gettysburg aficionado Lew Gage and the late historian Keith Snipes.
SA: Who would you say has been most influential in your studies?
ZF: On a personal level, my family has provided great support and encouragement. I'd be remiss not to thank professionals such as Bob Krick, Gary Kross, Bob Maher, Dan Reigle, and a host of others for the opportunities and the guidance they've given me. I had the good fortune to learn from some excellent high school history teachers, especially my good friend, the authoritative Mr. Conry. He continues to teach me the historian's craft with a bluntness that only decades of insight can afford, and I'm looking forward to walking the fields of Waterloo and Ypres with him in a couple months. My very inspirational philosophy professor, Dr. Wattles, teaches me at every turn to seek the greater historical truth. As far as Civil War history is concerned, I'm a great admirer of the work of Dr. Gary Gallagher, especially his efforts to connect the battlefield to the home front. Several classics gripped me in my childhood, including the staples of any Civil War bookshelf - Catton, Freeman, and some well-known Gettysburg-specific classics such as Frank Haskell's narrative and George Stewart's "Pickett's Charge." I've also gained a great deal from reading other military history writers such as John Keegan, David Chandler, Mark Grimsley, and Victor Davis Hanson. I'll leave it there for now.
SA: This is a question that has plagued many for ages; Guelzo and Prokopowicz disagree on the answer. So I ask you, do you think Lincoln would have been able to dunk a basketball?
ZF: Let's just say I think he would have had a much better chance of success than Little Mac would have.
Sarah Adler (SA): How did you first become interested in the 59th New York?
Zack Fry (ZF): My fascination started when I realized that much of the regiment was actually from my area of Ohio. I learned the story of their horrific experiences at Antietam, and I soon found that a man from nearby Bellville won the Medal of Honor at Gettysburg. Early in the project, I received copies of the Jacob L. Bechtel letters, an invaluable first-hand account of day-to-day life in the regiment. Bechtel wrote the letters to his sweetheart in Bellville. They really put a human face on the story. From there, my interest grew to include the entire regiment and all their experiences, from Antietam to Gettysburg to the end of the war.
SA: What would you say is the biggest obstacle you've needed to overcome as a young historian?
ZF: That's a tough question. In a strictly practical sense, it's realizing you don't have the means yet to do some of the more detailed research at distant facilities like the NARA in Washington. That day will come, and hopefully very soon. My initial interest was mainly the Ohioans in the 59th, and, unfortunately, just about all the records for their involvement are indeed in New York or Washington. I've made indispensable connections in some very fine historians who have helped me along the way, though, and I'm thankful for that every day.
SA: I know that you have faced some sporadic opposition to your findings. Would you say that this has actually helped you in some ways?
ZF: Nobody who puts his findings on the line escapes some mild criticism. Fortunately, the vast (and I mean nearly unanimous) majority of feedback I've received on my 59th research and interpretation has been complimentary and supportive. Of course criticism makes you a better historian - it keeps you focused, keeps you alert, and keeps you careful in what you say and how you say it. It sounds trite, but the true key to accepting criticism is to learn from it. Where the criticism is correct, vow to avoid that fault in the future. If it is scurrilous or destructive, look past it, and hope others do the same when they witness it happening. That's how I see it right now.
SA: You took the Gettysburg battlefield guide written exam when you were sixteen, right?
ZF: Fourteen, actually. It was in 2002. I remember it well. I think there were about 200 participants, and I wasn't in the top twenty, of course. Unfortunately, I learned the most about the Battle of Gettysburg in the following two years!
SA: So you were the youngest ever to take the exam?
ZF: I have no idea. I think someone at the site said I was, but that would be a difficult thing to determine, and I suppose it wouldn't mean much even if I were. Doing things because you'll be "the youngest" is a bad inspiration, I think; doing them because you believe you can succeed or because you enjoy them is better. Going back to the previous topic - if you're serious about studying history, and especially about being published, you should be willing to accept criticism in whatever fashion it is presented to you. Age must necessarily be immaterial at that point if you hope to be taken seriously.
SA: What would you say is your dream job?
ZF: Any occupation where I can tell others about the historical topics I love and be in the company of those who share my interest. I'd particularly like to teach. One thing is for sure - I hope I never stop learning. I love to research.
SA: You do a lot of your own artwork when you write. How did you get the idea to start sketching to accompany your articles?
ZF: I've always enjoyed portrait sketching, and many friends suggested I use that to my advantage in my writings. When I was just beginning serious research on the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Assault several years ago, I read Kathy Georg Harrison's "Nothing But Glory," wherein the author included her own excellent sketches of key participants. I thought that really gave the piece a personal touch, so it kind of inspired me to do the same. Sketch art for me is a hobby, but it's a very convenient and enjoyable one.
SA: You lead the occasional battlefield tour. Would you say you prefer giving tours to writing?
ZF: Both are incredibly rewarding, I think. Writing and speaking both involve a great deal of research, which I enjoy to no end. Of course, I can amass more detail in the story when I write, but that venue also lacks the face-to-face interaction that makes battlefield tours remarkable. I'm thankful to have had ample opportunities for both. A historian must be able to argue his case effectively in writing and in person. It's satisfying to be part of a published piece, but it's also very rewarding to be on the battlefield and see firsthand that your point is getting through to someone. I've also made great friends in some truly wonderful people on tours, such as fellow Gettysburg aficionado Lew Gage and the late historian Keith Snipes.
SA: Who would you say has been most influential in your studies?
ZF: On a personal level, my family has provided great support and encouragement. I'd be remiss not to thank professionals such as Bob Krick, Gary Kross, Bob Maher, Dan Reigle, and a host of others for the opportunities and the guidance they've given me. I had the good fortune to learn from some excellent high school history teachers, especially my good friend, the authoritative Mr. Conry. He continues to teach me the historian's craft with a bluntness that only decades of insight can afford, and I'm looking forward to walking the fields of Waterloo and Ypres with him in a couple months. My very inspirational philosophy professor, Dr. Wattles, teaches me at every turn to seek the greater historical truth. As far as Civil War history is concerned, I'm a great admirer of the work of Dr. Gary Gallagher, especially his efforts to connect the battlefield to the home front. Several classics gripped me in my childhood, including the staples of any Civil War bookshelf - Catton, Freeman, and some well-known Gettysburg-specific classics such as Frank Haskell's narrative and George Stewart's "Pickett's Charge." I've also gained a great deal from reading other military history writers such as John Keegan, David Chandler, Mark Grimsley, and Victor Davis Hanson. I'll leave it there for now.
SA: This is a question that has plagued many for ages; Guelzo and Prokopowicz disagree on the answer. So I ask you, do you think Lincoln would have been able to dunk a basketball?
ZF: Let's just say I think he would have had a much better chance of success than Little Mac would have.
Pivot! Pivot!
Yesterday there was this... thing... in the square. I noticed an unusual backup in front of the train station (where I was working) when I left, and I looked towards the square eventually to see what was holding up traffic. And I saw this. What is it? I do not know. I know that it was large and rusted and tank-like. And that the truck carrying it wasn't able to make it all the way around. It was stuck in the square, taking up the whole area from York Street (where the truck part was) to Chambersburg Street (where the end of the thing was). People were getting out of their cars and leaving the shops to come out and get a look and snap a few pictures. Luckily I had my cell phone with me.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Oh boy
145th Battle of Gettysburg re-enactment may be biggest ever.
As a local who has to go to work those days (mostly at the VC, nonetheless), I can honestly say I'm not quite looking forward to that.
As a local who has to go to work those days (mostly at the VC, nonetheless), I can honestly say I'm not quite looking forward to that.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
CWI 2008
I hesitate to write about my week at CWI because I don't think I can do it justice. But I know that there are some who have asked to hear about it, and so I will give it a go. I'm going to do it by day so that it maybe will flow a little better.
Sunday
My parents and I arrived at Gettysburg College around 2:30, I checked in and they helped me carry everything up to my room. One of my roommates, Alix, was already there. So we talked and got to know each other a little. My other roommate, Corinne, showed up a little while later. We went to an orientation meeting where we did the usual "name, where you're from, and three interesting facts about you" and met Pete Vermilyea, who is in charge of the scholarship students. At 6:30, we ate dinner at the opening picnic and then went to the CUB ballroom (a place that would become way too familiar to us) to hear Wendy Allen (a personal favorite of mine) and Richard Wengenroth talk about their Lincoln art. After lectures, the scholarship students retired to Apple, where we played cards and talked. By this point we were all pretty good friends and nicknames had been given to most.
Monday
We woke quite early in order to make it to breakfast in time. Alix, Corinne, and I stopped at the library to check our emails before heading to the CUB for our first lecture. It was a big one, too. Gabor Boritt welcomed everyone with his wonderful Tiger Lily poem before the panel discussion on Abraham Lincoln featuring Jean Baker, Michael Beschloss, Ken Burns, and James McPherson. After, Corinne and I decided to get autographs on the back of our folders - a practice that we would continue throughout the week - enabling us to meet most of the speakers. After lunch, McPherson returned along with Craig Symonds to talk about Lincoln as Commander in Chief and as Commander in Chief of the Navy. An extra program scheduled for 4:00 was canceled and instead Kenneth Winkle spoke about Lincoln and civic organizations for a little over half an hour. Dinner was at 6:00. At 7:00, Dr. Allen Guelzo spoke about the Lincoln-Douglas debates and Harold Holzer spoke about the time in between Lincoln's election and his taking office. Michael Burkhimer was the moderator. When the lectures finished around 9:00, the scholarship kids again headed back to the dorms where cards were played and messes were made when applesauce was substituted for spoons in the game of Spoons.
Tuesday
We woke up even earlier in order to make it to breakfast. After some bacon and hash browns, we met with Daniel Epstein for a private Q&A session. Dr. Brad Hoch gave us a tour of Lincoln's time in Gettysburg. Fun fact: Dr. Hoch used to be my pediatrician. We stopped by the train station and I chatted with Adam while everyone else toured. We returned to campus in time for lunch. According to my schedule, we had a bunch of free time in between lunch and dinner with Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Frank Williams. I think maybe we went to the writing lab to work on the writings Pete wanted us to do during the week. After dinner we attended a lecture with Frank Williams and Daniel Mark Epstein with Larry Taylor as moderator. Cards were played at night.
Wednesday
Breakfast was had. Lewis Lehrman, William Lee Miller, and Richard Carwardine lectured in the morning. Joe Fornieri and Sharita Jacobs acted as moderators. Carwardine was someone I saw more throughout the week and is a nice fellow with an awesome British accent that makes him easy to listen to. A side note, I am currently reading his book on Lincoln, Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power, and so far it's quite good. We took the obligatory CWI group photo on the steps of Pennsylvania Hall (Old Dorm) and complained about the sun being in our eyes. After lunch was lectures with Douglas Wilson, William Harris, and James Oakes, with Catherine Clinton as moderator. At 3:00, we went on the Lost Avenue tour and got to see that legendary part of the battlefield that few ever view. We returned for dinner. At 7:00, John Waugh, Julie Fenster, Thomas Craughwell, and Gerald Prokopowicz lectured. Eileen Mackevich and James Tackach moderated. Thomas Craughwell is not quite a Lincoln scholar; he dabbles in several areas. His most recent book is about the plot to steal Lincoln's body. He was definitely one of our favorite speakers during the week, the story very entertaining. We were disappointed when he ran out of time because he was actually fun to listen to. I believe it was Wednesday night that we attended the FOG pizza party, where Joshua Domosh (one of the scholarship kids) regaled us with more stories about the legendary Stanley Domosh. I also saw Eric Wittenberg's name on the list of honorary members, accompanied by several other very accomplished souls. Cards were, of course, played. I think maybe by this time we had acquired spoons. It'd be better not to inquire as to their source.
Thursday
After breakfast Thursday morning, we had a private Q&A with Ed Bearss. Brian Dirck, Burrus Carnahan, and Allen Jayne lectured. Tim Shannon and Tom Turner moderated. Lunch was consumed with Catherine Clinton. Everyone then met outside for the Marine Color Guard that arrived to present Ed Bearss with his birthday cake. The man is now 85 years old. At 1:30 we went on our Beginner Tour of Gettysburg. Needless to say, this covered things I do all of the time, including seeing the film at the Visitor Center. So I slept through it (even Pickett's charge, which is loud), because I've seen it about five times now (I do work there, you know) and I was tired. Jared Peatman took us on a tour of the battlefield. The end of the tour brought us to the cemetery, where I told Jorg Nagler, the German Lincoln biographer, a little bit about some of the people buried there. We made it back for dinner, which we had with Dr. Allen Guelzo. All I will say about Dr. Guelzo is that he is a very interesting person with a gift for snark. The Raffle/Auction was eventful for us scholarship kids. We convinced Jordan to bid $1100 on a rifle, which we thought would sell for about $10,000. It um... didn't. It wound up going for $1200 and there was a moment of silence that Jordan describes as "the scariest moment of his life." And you guessed it! Cards were played when we returned to the dorms.
Friday
Friday was the last day we all had together, as Corinne left that night and several others left very early Saturday morning. Our first lecture after breakfast was one with Michael Burlingame (whose lecture helped me immensely with how I look at research), Jorg Nagler, and Matthew Pinsker. Michael Birkner and Kent Gramm moderated. Matthew Pinsker gave us a demonstration of the incredible Google Earth Tour project that it seems like everyone is working on (including myself). Afterwards was the annual CWI slide show. After lunch we heard from Barry Schwartz (whose lecture was not exactly well-received) and James Percoco. Jean Bandler and Elizabeth Brown Pryor moderated. I spoke with Elizabeth Brown Pryor after the session and got some great advice about the Foreign Service. CWI was then given a sneak peak of the horrible, horrible, horrible film Discovery did. It was supposed to be based on Gabor Boritt's The Gettysburg Gospel, but it just wound up being terrible. It was actually so bad that it was hilarious. It was also hilarious hearing Gabor and Jake argue about the events leading up to the film being made and Gabor talking about how horrible it is. Unfortunately, Pete wanted us to finish up our writings for him and we had to leave mid-horrible movie. We attended the banquet, which was nice. We then had to say goodbye to Corinne. At 8:00 we went to the Majestic, where we watched Budapest to Gettysburg, which is absolutely amazing. There was a Q&A with Jake and Gabor afterwards. We played cards back at the dorms until 11, when we went out to the soccer field to watch fireworks. It was a wonderful night. Alix and I went to sleep by 12:30. Apparently the others all stayed up all night. And apparently some really crazy happenings occurred. Let's just say that Alix and I were glad we missed said happenings.
Saturday
We went to breakfast, lugged our stuff to the CUB to check out, hung out in the café for a short amount of time. My mom then came to pick me up and I had to say goodbye to everyone, which was sad. I then went home and took the rest of the day to recover.
In summary, I had the most incredible week of my life. I met some amazing people, some of whom had such an immense impact on me that it cannot be put into words. It was an excellent time and I hope I can make it back somehow next year when the joint themes will be the Assassination of Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln.
Sunday
My parents and I arrived at Gettysburg College around 2:30, I checked in and they helped me carry everything up to my room. One of my roommates, Alix, was already there. So we talked and got to know each other a little. My other roommate, Corinne, showed up a little while later. We went to an orientation meeting where we did the usual "name, where you're from, and three interesting facts about you" and met Pete Vermilyea, who is in charge of the scholarship students. At 6:30, we ate dinner at the opening picnic and then went to the CUB ballroom (a place that would become way too familiar to us) to hear Wendy Allen (a personal favorite of mine) and Richard Wengenroth talk about their Lincoln art. After lectures, the scholarship students retired to Apple, where we played cards and talked. By this point we were all pretty good friends and nicknames had been given to most.
Monday
We woke quite early in order to make it to breakfast in time. Alix, Corinne, and I stopped at the library to check our emails before heading to the CUB for our first lecture. It was a big one, too. Gabor Boritt welcomed everyone with his wonderful Tiger Lily poem before the panel discussion on Abraham Lincoln featuring Jean Baker, Michael Beschloss, Ken Burns, and James McPherson. After, Corinne and I decided to get autographs on the back of our folders - a practice that we would continue throughout the week - enabling us to meet most of the speakers. After lunch, McPherson returned along with Craig Symonds to talk about Lincoln as Commander in Chief and as Commander in Chief of the Navy. An extra program scheduled for 4:00 was canceled and instead Kenneth Winkle spoke about Lincoln and civic organizations for a little over half an hour. Dinner was at 6:00. At 7:00, Dr. Allen Guelzo spoke about the Lincoln-Douglas debates and Harold Holzer spoke about the time in between Lincoln's election and his taking office. Michael Burkhimer was the moderator. When the lectures finished around 9:00, the scholarship kids again headed back to the dorms where cards were played and messes were made when applesauce was substituted for spoons in the game of Spoons.
Tuesday
We woke up even earlier in order to make it to breakfast. After some bacon and hash browns, we met with Daniel Epstein for a private Q&A session. Dr. Brad Hoch gave us a tour of Lincoln's time in Gettysburg. Fun fact: Dr. Hoch used to be my pediatrician. We stopped by the train station and I chatted with Adam while everyone else toured. We returned to campus in time for lunch. According to my schedule, we had a bunch of free time in between lunch and dinner with Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Frank Williams. I think maybe we went to the writing lab to work on the writings Pete wanted us to do during the week. After dinner we attended a lecture with Frank Williams and Daniel Mark Epstein with Larry Taylor as moderator. Cards were played at night.
Wednesday
Breakfast was had. Lewis Lehrman, William Lee Miller, and Richard Carwardine lectured in the morning. Joe Fornieri and Sharita Jacobs acted as moderators. Carwardine was someone I saw more throughout the week and is a nice fellow with an awesome British accent that makes him easy to listen to. A side note, I am currently reading his book on Lincoln, Lincoln: A Life of Purpose and Power, and so far it's quite good. We took the obligatory CWI group photo on the steps of Pennsylvania Hall (Old Dorm) and complained about the sun being in our eyes. After lunch was lectures with Douglas Wilson, William Harris, and James Oakes, with Catherine Clinton as moderator. At 3:00, we went on the Lost Avenue tour and got to see that legendary part of the battlefield that few ever view. We returned for dinner. At 7:00, John Waugh, Julie Fenster, Thomas Craughwell, and Gerald Prokopowicz lectured. Eileen Mackevich and James Tackach moderated. Thomas Craughwell is not quite a Lincoln scholar; he dabbles in several areas. His most recent book is about the plot to steal Lincoln's body. He was definitely one of our favorite speakers during the week, the story very entertaining. We were disappointed when he ran out of time because he was actually fun to listen to. I believe it was Wednesday night that we attended the FOG pizza party, where Joshua Domosh (one of the scholarship kids) regaled us with more stories about the legendary Stanley Domosh. I also saw Eric Wittenberg's name on the list of honorary members, accompanied by several other very accomplished souls. Cards were, of course, played. I think maybe by this time we had acquired spoons. It'd be better not to inquire as to their source.
Thursday
After breakfast Thursday morning, we had a private Q&A with Ed Bearss. Brian Dirck, Burrus Carnahan, and Allen Jayne lectured. Tim Shannon and Tom Turner moderated. Lunch was consumed with Catherine Clinton. Everyone then met outside for the Marine Color Guard that arrived to present Ed Bearss with his birthday cake. The man is now 85 years old. At 1:30 we went on our Beginner Tour of Gettysburg. Needless to say, this covered things I do all of the time, including seeing the film at the Visitor Center. So I slept through it (even Pickett's charge, which is loud), because I've seen it about five times now (I do work there, you know) and I was tired. Jared Peatman took us on a tour of the battlefield. The end of the tour brought us to the cemetery, where I told Jorg Nagler, the German Lincoln biographer, a little bit about some of the people buried there. We made it back for dinner, which we had with Dr. Allen Guelzo. All I will say about Dr. Guelzo is that he is a very interesting person with a gift for snark. The Raffle/Auction was eventful for us scholarship kids. We convinced Jordan to bid $1100 on a rifle, which we thought would sell for about $10,000. It um... didn't. It wound up going for $1200 and there was a moment of silence that Jordan describes as "the scariest moment of his life." And you guessed it! Cards were played when we returned to the dorms.
Friday
Friday was the last day we all had together, as Corinne left that night and several others left very early Saturday morning. Our first lecture after breakfast was one with Michael Burlingame (whose lecture helped me immensely with how I look at research), Jorg Nagler, and Matthew Pinsker. Michael Birkner and Kent Gramm moderated. Matthew Pinsker gave us a demonstration of the incredible Google Earth Tour project that it seems like everyone is working on (including myself). Afterwards was the annual CWI slide show. After lunch we heard from Barry Schwartz (whose lecture was not exactly well-received) and James Percoco. Jean Bandler and Elizabeth Brown Pryor moderated. I spoke with Elizabeth Brown Pryor after the session and got some great advice about the Foreign Service. CWI was then given a sneak peak of the horrible, horrible, horrible film Discovery did. It was supposed to be based on Gabor Boritt's The Gettysburg Gospel, but it just wound up being terrible. It was actually so bad that it was hilarious. It was also hilarious hearing Gabor and Jake argue about the events leading up to the film being made and Gabor talking about how horrible it is. Unfortunately, Pete wanted us to finish up our writings for him and we had to leave mid-horrible movie. We attended the banquet, which was nice. We then had to say goodbye to Corinne. At 8:00 we went to the Majestic, where we watched Budapest to Gettysburg, which is absolutely amazing. There was a Q&A with Jake and Gabor afterwards. We played cards back at the dorms until 11, when we went out to the soccer field to watch fireworks. It was a wonderful night. Alix and I went to sleep by 12:30. Apparently the others all stayed up all night. And apparently some really crazy happenings occurred. Let's just say that Alix and I were glad we missed said happenings.
Saturday
We went to breakfast, lugged our stuff to the CUB to check out, hung out in the café for a short amount of time. My mom then came to pick me up and I had to say goodbye to everyone, which was sad. I then went home and took the rest of the day to recover.
In summary, I had the most incredible week of my life. I met some amazing people, some of whom had such an immense impact on me that it cannot be put into words. It was an excellent time and I hope I can make it back somehow next year when the joint themes will be the Assassination of Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln.
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