Tuscarawas Valley Civil War Round Table meeting

The Tuscarawas Valley Civil War Round Table will meet on Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 PM in the Community Room of the Dover Public Library, located at 525 N. Walnut Street in Dover. The featured presenter will be Wayne E. Motts, nationally recognized Civil War historian, author, preservationist and museum executive. Motts will present a free public program entitled, “Ohio at Gettysburg: Buckeye Soldiers in America’s Defining Battle.”

The story of Gettysburg is inseparable from the story of Ohio. During the Civil War’s most famous battle, more than 4,400 Ohio soldiers fought across the rolling fields, rocky hills, and wooded ridges that became forever linked to the Union victory. Join acclaimed historian, author and Licensed Battlefield Guide Wayne E. Motts, as he brings the experiences of these Buckeye soldiers to life through compelling battlefield narratives, personal accounts, and remarkable stories of courage under fire. From the heroic actions of Ohio regiments on the front lines to the sacrifices of individual soldiers whose lives were forever changed by the battle, this program explores Ohio’s extraordinary contribution to one of the most pivotal moments in American history. The presentation also examines the experiences of several Ohio-connected soldiers who fought for the Confederacy, offering a broader perspective on the divided loyalties that characterized the Civil War era. Drawing upon more than four decades of interpreting the Gettysburg battlefield and a lifetime devoted to the preservation of Civil War history, Motts provides a unique and powerful look at Ohio’s enduring legacy at Gettysburg.

Wayne E. Motts is a nationally recognized Civil War historian, author, preservationist, and museum executive. A native of Groveport, Ohio, grew up in a family dedicated to preserving military history through the renowned Motts Military Museum. Motts earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Military History from The Ohio State University and a Master of Arts degree in American History from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Since 1988, he has served as a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park, sharing the stories of the battle with tens of thousands of visitors from across the nation and around the world. He has resided near the Gettysburg battlefield since 1990 and has spent his career advancing the preservation and interpretation of Civil War history. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, one of the nation’s premier institutions dedicated to telling the complete story of the American Civil War. Through his writing, speaking engagements, and public history work, Motts continues to educate audiences about the people, events and enduring legacy of America’s defining conflict.

The mission of the Tuscarawas Valley Civil War Round Table is to educate the community about the American Civil War, to preserve Civil War heritage and to remember those who struggled for their cause. For more information or to register for this free community program, please call the Dover Public Library at 330-343-6123 or visit www.doverlibrary.org.