I was disappointed when I saw a few posts recently that suggest the Sesquicentennial is… more or less… done. I anticipated such projections in the wake of Gettysburg, but to make them so soon after Gettysburg is not a good idea. A vacuum in the wake of Gettysburg was inevitable.
I agree that nothing will compare to Gettysburg’s 150th… the number of people and the incredible number of programs, but, for Pete’s sakes… it’s Gettysburg! Even if they had been poor programs, masses of people were coming, period. There was never a doubt about that… rather, the question was… just how many people would be there. Of all of the large-scale Sesqui programs, I think this was the sixth that I’ve attended since things began in 2011. That, by the way (at least in my opinion), is key in getting a grip on the pulse of the Sesqui crowd, on what we might be able to expect in the next twenty-one months. I think, if you really want to make a projection, you have to be out there… in and among the tour groups and events, big and small. No matter how many photos I’ve taken, they simply haven’t captured the moment… at any one time. So, making a projection about upcoming events based on no attendance at any events at all is absolute guesswork.
I’ll tell you this much… based on what I’ve seen and experienced, first-hand, I anticipate numbers at Wilderness/Spotysylvania comparable to what we saw at Chancellorsville.
You saw that, right? My speculation based on what, exactly? “What I’ve seen and experienced” as one who has attended these events. One thing “observers from afar” don’t see is a repetition of faces. I’ve seen lots of familiar faces… don’t know their names… but lots of familiar faces from events I attended as early as 2011. Still, to be honest, there’s even more that my speculation is based upon. For example, in addition to some of the same people, I anticipate a different wave of people. How many followers of Grant will pop-up at these upcoming events in the East? What about those who seek more about the stories of the USCT (hello… Petersburg)? What about those who are simply more enthralled with the last year of the Confederacy? And, what about Appomattox? (I apologize to my “Western Theater” readers, but I’m an “Eastern Theater man”, first and foremost… if that isn’t obvious enough).
There are a lot of factors to consider. As a former museum development director who also supervised a marketing team, I think I can’t help but look at the next twenty-one months from the position of one who used to market history. No doubt, it too is a guessing game. You do your best to anticipate numbers based on previous programs, economic climate, historical timelines, and other things, in order to plan and prepare.
So, from this point, guessing about numbers is about like playing a football pool at work. What seems more intriguing to me is how these events… and, yes, there will still be events… will be marketed over the next twenty-one months. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a “build it and they will come” market… not unless you already carry-over heavily in popular American memory of the history. That’s right… a lot of this is already “built-in”. As I indicated above… Gettysburg dominates the American mind when it comes to Civil War memory. Other places factor-in at different levels… some being more popular than the others. Will, for example, Shenandoah Valley events, in 2014, be as significant as events in 2012… when Stonewall Jackson was a key part of the memory in those Sesqui events?
If we’re really to gain something of value in the numbers seen at these events, perhaps instead of speculating as to how many will or will not attend, maybe we should listen more carefully to how people “speak with their feet”. Maybe then we will have a better grasp on Civil War memory among those who go out to these events (emphasis is intentional, as “those who go/attend” can be somewhat of a control group. Just how many are “frequent Sesqui flyers” just isn’t clear).
As those who want to take something of value from the Sesqui, in the way of meaning in Civil War memory, sometimes it’s better to listen than to talk.
Cenantua's Blog 
rose ann smythe
July 28, 2013
Here in the historic Valley town of Luray, I we are re-enacting the destruction of the 1864 Burning with the planned destruction of the historic Luray School slated for demolition this fall. The local Page County Board of Supervisors have decided to build a parking lot on the highest point of the town, across from the 1832 Court House, and are turning a deaf ear to opposition and cries to support preservation and maintain the historic skyline of the Town. Sadly, that is how this local governing body is commemorating the Sesqui in the Shenandoah Valley. . .
Robert Moore
July 28, 2013
While there are serious issues with the PC Board of Supervisors, and their absolute failure as responsible stewards of the Page County’s historical sites, I think the comparison of their actions with “the Burning” and/or the Civil War Sesqui is an inaccurate assessment to make. Furthermore, I think the local governing body doesn’t much care about the Sesqui (which is outside the scope of what seems to be the imminent and tragic fate of the schoolhouse)… and I’d venture to say they aren’t much aware of it, either.
Rose Ann Sharp
July 28, 2013
Sad, but true!
Cotton Boll Conspiracy
July 28, 2013
Part of the problem is that, from what I can tell, the vast majority of Americans believe the war essentially was decided at Gettysburg. This seems to have seeped into the consciousness of individuals who market many of the areas associated with the war in the Eastern Theater, as well.
Yes, Gettysburg may have been the “high-water mark,” of the Confederacy, as I have heard many times over the past couple of months, but well into the following year, as shown at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Trevilian Station, Cold Harbor, etc., the South was by no means done.
I get the sense, however, that recognizing the sesquicentennial is “over” with the recent events at Gettysburg, and now folks are ready to move on to something else.
I suppose it’s difficult to bring a populace whose education of a complex conflict largely consists of a few key events (secession, Fort Sumter, First Manassas, Antietam, Gettysburg, Emancipation Proclamation, Appomattox, Lincoln’s assassination) up to speed in a short period.
Robert Moore
July 29, 2013
Hi, CBC,
From the attendance, one might think the Civil War both started and ended at Gettysburg. I say this only because… well… where were all these people in events prior to Gettysburg? It, alone, will… in my opinion… go down as the most attended event in the Sesqui. Now, that said, what we are about to see is a shift back to the standard Sesqui attendance numbers… with the exception of… perhaps… Appomattox.
Cotton Boll Conspiracy
July 29, 2013
Agreed, which is unfortunate but hardly surprising. I suppose if you ask people what battles they know from the American Revolution, many would reply Lexington and Concord, and Yorktown.
Patrick Browne
July 28, 2013
I agree that there will likely be quite a lull after Gettysburg. However, I am hopeful that 2015 will see another surge of interest. I’ve found that there is a good deal of squeamishness, at least in my neck of the woods, in terms of commemorating the Civil War because it is still a divisive issue to this day and something many politicians and organizations want to avoid. But in 2015 we’ll be celebrating peace and reconciliation. And that is when, I hope, those in powerful places will step out from the sidelines. I hope to see some great ceremonies and commemorations in 2015.
Robert Moore
July 29, 2013
I’m surprised that Massachusetts has that line of thought regarding the Sesqui. Now, eastern Maryland on the other hand, has taken the divisiveness to heart and has avoided the Sesqui like the plague. The War of 1812 commemoration has taken top-billing. Thankfully, from Frederick to Hagerstown, more open minds have made some good things possible. Thanks for commenting, Patrick.
Scott Manning
July 28, 2013
The thing that sticks out is those who think the sesquicentennial is over are predominately people who aren’t even attending the events. And if someone isn’t even attending sesqui events, then they have little credence on theorizing about their demise.
Perhaps those who stayed home are projecting their hopes that there will be nothing left for them to miss. Frankly, the folks who willfully skipped on Pickett’s Charge must look at us perplexed, as we struggle to put the experience into words. Photos and video just don’t do it justice.
When my grand kid asks me what I did during the sesquicentennial, I don’t want to tell him, “Well, I blogged about shit in Louisiana.” I’ve made it to Antietam, Brandy Station, and Gettysburg. I’m still pissed I missed 2nd Manassas and Chancellorsville. I can’t wait for Spotsylvania/Wilderness.
Robert Moore
July 29, 2013
Hey, Scott! Thanks for chiming-in. Allergic reaction to the grass, fighting ticks, and everything else… I still have no regrets on making the “long walk” across the field at Gettysburg! Like you, however, I do regret missing the 2nd Manassas events, and some of the Seven Days. Looking forward to seeing you at Wilderness/Spotsy, if not before at, say… Bristoe, perhaps?
Brooks D. Simpson
July 30, 2013
It’s not over until it’s over, and it isn’t over by a long shot.