Civil War Historical Memory
STATUES, MONUMENTS, AND MEMORIALS: BUILD THEM UP OR TEAR THEM DOWN?
Members: FREE; Non-Members: $20
Join HistoryMiami Museum for an in-depth look at how the Civil War is remembered in public history and made visible through public monuments. Hear historical insights from nationally recognized scholars about the role of collective memory in our national story. Learn how time has shaped what is memorialized and the contemporary response to ‘redemption’ in the South through the re-crafting of the narrative of the era of slavery.
Featuring an introduction by Harold Holzer, winner of the 2015 Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize, is one of the country’s leading authorities on Abraham Lincoln and the political culture of the Civil War era. A prolific writer and lecturer, and frequent guest on television, Holzer served for six years (2010–2016) as Chairman of The Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation. For the previous 10 years he co-chaired the U. S. Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission (ALBC), appointed by President Clinton. President Bush awarded Holzer the National Humanities Medal in 2008. He has hosted 10 Civil War events at HistoryMiami. Holzer, who now serves as The Jonathan F. Fanton Director of Hunter College’s Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute, has authored, co-authored or edited 53 books.
Panelists:
Dr. Karen Cox, is Professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the founding director of the graduate public history program. She is the author of three books, the editor or co-editor of two volumes of southern history, and she has written numerous essays and articles about southern history and culture. Her first book, Dixie’s Daughters: The United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Preservation of Confederate Culture, won the 2004 Julia Cherry Spruill Prize from the Southern Association for Women Historians for the Best Book in Southern Women’s History. Dr. Cox has written op-eds for the New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, TIME magazine, Publishers Weekly, and the Huffington Post. Her expertise on the American South has led to interviews with numerous news outlets. Her latest achievement includes a contract with UNC Press to write the definitive history of Confederate monuments & the persistent battles over their removal.
Dr. Donald Spivey, Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Miami. His field is late nineteenth- and twentieth-century America, with specialization in African-American history, sport, labor, music, and education. Spivey has author numerous book publications and scholarly articles. He was recipient of the Robert Peterson Recognition Award for his book, “If You Were Only White”: The Life of Leroy “Satchel” Paige. Professor Spivey has lectured throughout the country and been a frequent commentator on radio, television, and in the print medium.
Hon. Frank J. Williams, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, is a noted Abraham Lincoln scholar and author, and one of the nation’s leading experts on Lincoln, as well as one of its major Lincoln collectors. Two years ago, he donated his holdings to Mississippi State University. The author, co-author, or editor of a dozen books, including Judging Lincoln and the recent volumes The Mary Lincoln Enigma and Lincoln as Hero, Williams also served as founding chairman of The Lincoln Forum (he is now Chairman Emeritus) and President of the Ulysses S. Grant Association.
Moderator: Mr. Harold Holzer
Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Please note that there are no refunds or exchanges.
The Presidential Symposium is presented with the support of Jean and Bill Soman, David Lawrence Jr. The Children’s Movement of Florida, and Julie and Michael Weiser.
To view past Presidential Symposiums, please click here.
