Save the Date: Reconstruction Symposium

The U.S. Capitol Historical Society is proud to announce its upcoming annual symposium. On Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3, speakers from across the country will explore elements of the post-Civil War Reconstruction period and examine the “Long Reconstruction,” when Americans wrestled with memories of and issues arising from the postwar period well into the twentieth century.

Six statues of Civil War politicians and military leaders.
From Reconstruction to the present, states have contributed portrait statues of prominent state figures to the Capitol’s National Statuary Hall Collection. Approximately 20 statues in the collection portray men who were politicians or military leaders during the Civil War. From left, Jefferson Davis (MS), Hannibal Hamlin (ME), Wade Hampton (SC), James Shields (IL), Robert Lee (VA), and Lew Wallace (IN). Original photos courtesy Architect of the Capitol.

 

The symposium is free and open to the public. On Thursday, May 2, join us at the Hill Center (921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; Washington, DC 20003) from 9 am to 4:30 pm. A morning session follows on Friday, May 3 from 9 am to 12:45 pm in the Russell Senate Office Building, Room 325. You are welcome to attend for all or part of the time.

Pre-registration is now available. Check back here soon for more details about each session!

Speakers include:

  • James J. Broomall (Shepherd University)
  • Vernon Burton (Clemson University)
  • Charles W. Calhoun (emeritus, East Carolina University)
  • Paul Finkelman (symposium director; president, Gratz College)
  • Tim Alan Garrison (Portland State University)
  • Judith Giesberg (Villanova University)
  • Randall Kennedy (Harvard Law School)
  • Heather Cox Richardson (Boston College)
  • Ryan P. Semmes (Mississippi State University Libraries)
  • John David Smith (University of North Carolina at Charlotte)
  • Brook Thomas (University of California at Irvine)
  • Joan Waugh (University of California at Los Angeles)