On March 26, the Civil War’s 150th anniversary in North Carolina, the University hosted a symposium to increase awareness about the war’s lasting effects. 

The event, titled “The Real War Will Never Get in the Books—A Public History of the Civil War” brought together speakers from across the country who spoke on the importance of viewing the war as an event that shaped the lives of innumerable people across the country, and not just as a military stand-off between the North and the South. 

Michelle Lanier, curator of multicultural initiatives, North Carolina Historic Sites, said that people today are interested in knowing more about the war than just its military history. Addressing questions from the audience that most people get interested in the war because of the imagery and rhetoric of battle, she said she believed that it was not so.

“I strongly believe that people are hungry to learn more about it, and it has been my experience that people are hungry for more complicated stories,” she said.

Lanier, who holds a graduate degree in folklore from UNC Chapel Hill said she realized early on that the war had many aspects other than the fighting itself.

“I came into the division[of multicultural initiatives] through my work on world history. I remember when I first came here, there was this man dressed in gray telling me that you should look into the Appeal of David Walker. This was what made me realize that there is space for everyone here. “

David Walker was an African American born in Wilmington, North Carolina, whose “Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World” was published in 1829. In his Appeal Walker urged slaves to fight for their freedom, and the piece is widely considered one of the most radical documents of the antislavery movement.

The North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources will be organizing a number of conferences and symposiums over the next 4 years as part of the commemoration of war’s 150th year in North Carolina.

Michael Hill, research branch supervisor at the North Carolina Office of Archives and History, said that the goal of these initiatives would be to look at the war from a fresh perspective.

“We want to have an opportunity to reinterpret the war for the new generation and scholars,” Hill said.  

The department will also organize a variety of exhibits at various historical sites, among over 200 other programs, during this period of four years, and hopes to draw people from all walks of society. 

“During these events, there will be something for everyone—from a 10th grader to a PhD or whether you are a casual observer or serious scholar of history.” Hill said. “This is a commemoration and a North Carolina examination of all aspects of the story, and the target population is the entire population of the state. This was one cataclysmic event and we want to reflect on it in as many ways as possible.”

Lee Bryant, a junior in history said it was a good experience and brought to light a variety of aspects about the war.

“My greatest interest is in the war’s military aspects, however there are great stories about all aspects and it is important to share them with the public,” Bryant said. “Managing a specific focus on a certain issue despite all this interdependence is a major challenge to public historians.”  

Cameron Mills, a graduate student in history said that the symposium was a “terrific experience.”

“The great thing about the civil war is that people tend to simplify it,” Mills said. “The conference looked at this issue and showed us how complex this really is. Different people have different approaches to it, and the 150th anniversary is a good time to reflect on what it was and how it impacted the people.”

Brian Jordan, a doctoral student at Yale University, who spoke on the civil war battlefields and prison sites during the evening session said it was a productive conference. 

“It was a well-organized and productive conference that brought together a lot of young an innovative participants.”

Allison Hermann, Jordan’s colleague said she echoed his opinion.

“There was an impressive group of presenters who added a lot to the event,” Hermann said, “The audience was very interactive and they asked a lot of good questions. The most impressive thing was the wide and diverse panel that added a lot to the discussion.”