The Ohio Civil War 150 Advisory Committee met on Friday July 15, 2011. The committee welcomed four new members: Susan Fryer, Carol Lasser, Fredric Lynch, and Kim Robinson.

The Civil War 150 Advisory Committee includes 18 men and women with diverse backgrounds, who have a deep interest in the state’s Civil War heritage. Established by Gov. Ted Strickland in 2009, the committee provides guidance to the Ohio Historical Society on programs and activities at both the state and local levels. Meeting quarterly, the group will serve until the end 2015.

Joining the standing committee are:
Susan Fryer is Executive Director of the Greater Licking County Convention and Visitors Bureau. An avid supporter of her community’s heritage tourism, Susan spearheaded a collaboration between the Visitors Bureau and over 25 museums, libraries, universities as well as other local organizations to create the Licking County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, which developed numerous events, a passport program, and a commemorative guidebook envied by Visitors Bureaus across the state.

Carol Lasser is a professor at Oberlin College and has a Ph.D. in History from Harvard University. She has written widely on women and gender in nineteenth-century America for multiple publications and has served as an evaluator for Teaching American History grants funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Fredric Lynch serves as Senior Vice Commander of the Department of Ohio, Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War and is editor of The Buckeye Bugle, the department’s newsletter.   This patriotic and educational organization seeks to preserve the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic and to care for GAR memorials and identify the location of union veterans’ gravesites. An Ohio native, Fred served 26 years as a U.S. Air Force Officer and served as emergency preparedness program manager in California before returning to Ohio in 2008. Fred is replacing Chuck Reeves on the committee.

Kim A. Robinson serves as President and CEO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. A 28-year veteran of P&G, Kim retired as Vice President of Customer Business Development in February, 2010. Kim joined the Freedom Center in April, 2010 as Director of Advancement and became President and CEO July 1, 2011. Kim is replacing Don Murphy on the committee.

New liaisons were also added to the committee to provide additional support and advise on behalf of their organizations. These liaisons include:

Janet Ingraham Dwyer serves youth services librarians of Ohio as Library Consultant for the State Library of Ohio. With Janet’s help, the State Library partnered with the Ohio Historical Society to promote the Civil War commemoration to libraries across the state. In addition, she oversees the Choose to Read Ohio program, which includes three Civil War-themed books in 2011 for various ages.

Joshua Mann serves as Sergeant First Class and historian for the Army National Guard. Josh continues to work with OHS on oral history projects and Civil War battle flag conservation efforts on behalf of The Adjutant General’s Office. In addition, he assisted the Committee in organizing a successful Civil War commemoration kickoff event at the Ohio Statehouse in 2011.

See discussion notes and handouts from the July 15, 2011 meeting.

About the Civil War 150

Ohio’s leadership before, during and after the Civil War had a profound influence on American history. Decades later, Gov. Ted Strickland wants to make sure that all Ohioans remember the past of their great state and the sacrifices that were made to preserve the Union. He chose the Ohio Historical Society to lead the effort because the state history organization is “uniquely positioned” to direct the initiative.

In addition to establishing the Civil War 150 Advisory Committee, the historical society has organized a statewide network of organizations and historic sites so that the Civil War tribute can be organized seamlessly. One goal is to raise awareness of the sesquicentennial and encourage Ohioans to visit the many Civil War sites across the state.

For more information about Ohio’s Civil War 150th anniversary commemoration, special events and more, visit www.ohiocivilwar150.org. The Web site is a collection of information as well as a dynamic tool for the public, educators and local history groups to collaborate and share their knowledge of Ohio’s fascinating Civil War history.

The Ohio Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that serves as the state’s partner in preserving and interpreting Ohio’s history, natural history, archaeology and historic architecture.   For more information about programs and events, visit www.ohiohistory.org.