How were residents of Wisconsin involved in the U.S. Civil War? Brett Barker will discuss this topic at 7 pm Monday, November 13, 2017, in the Commons at Athens High School. This presentation is part of the History Speaks in Your Town series presented by the Marathon County Historical Society and the Continuing Education office of UW-Marathon County.

Brett Barker, history professor at UW-Marathon County, will explore the important – but often overlooked – role Wisconsin played in the Civil War. Over 90,000 Wisconsin boys marched off to war and nearly 12,000 never returned. Learn about the Iron Brigade, Old Abe the War Eagle, the tragedy of Governor Harvey, and tireless work of his wife, Cordelia. Prof. Barker will include details about Civil War soldiers from the Athens area.

Brett Barker received his Ph.D. from UW-Madison and is Professor of History at UW-Marathon County where he has taught since 2002. He is a member of the Marathon County Historical Society Board of Directors and author of Exploring Civil War Wisconsin: A Survival Guide for Researchers.

This talk is free and open to the public. All donations are appreciated. Registration is not required.

For more information, please call the Marathon County Historical Society at 715-842-5750.

The Historical Society is grateful to Janke Book Store and to Compass Properties for their sponsorship of the History Speaks series, and to the Murco Foundation and the Larry and Elsie Lohr Fund for their support for History Speaks In Your Town.

For more information, please call the Marathon County Historical Society at 715-842-5750.