The Marathon County Historical Society presents “Civil War Medicine – Hollywood Style (The Good, The Bad, The Ugly),” another topic in our History Speaks series, at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 23, at the Woodson History Center, 410 McIndoe St., Wausau. The speaker is Dr. Gordon Dammann, a retired dentist and collector of Civil War medicine artifacts.

Using film clips, Dr. Dammann will explain how Hollywood portrays Civil War medicine, and how that portrayal reflects reality – or not.

In 1971, Dr. Dammann and his wife, Karen, started collecting medical artifacts from the Civil War. They eventually founded the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, MD, to share that collection with the public. He wrote “Pictorial Encyclopedia of Civil War Medical Instruments and Equipment,” a three-volume set. He co-authored “Images of Civil War Medicine—A Photographic History.”

There is no admission fee; however, donations are appreciated. Registration is not required.

The Historical Society is grateful to Janke Book Store and to Compass Properties for their sponsorship of the History Speaks series.

Visitors might also enjoy a guided tour of the Yawkey House Museum, or visiting our free exhibit spaces. Milking Time: Evolution of the Dairy Industry in Marathon County, opening to the public June 16, shows the hard work that went into creating fields after forests were logged off, and the progress made in breeding, testing, medicine and education that enabled dairying to develop into a viable business option. Rural Electrification: Outlet for Change depicts life before and after electricity made its slow way into rural areas of Marathon County in the 1930s and ‘40s. Our Stories: The History of Marathon County features reminiscences of how people arrived in this area, and how they worked and played in days gone by.

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