History Club Celebrates Civil War Day

This past Monday, April 15, the day marking the 159th year since the death of beloved 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, students were provided the opportunity to experience looking at things from an entirely different perspective.

In coordination with Mr. Ellison; History Club members; Civil War class students; and friends who share a fascination with American History, specific to the Civil War, Mr. Holub organized a variety of Civil War themed activities to provide an enjoyable and foremost educational experience to the members of the student body, as well as staff. 

In the auditorium, there was an on stage museum, with a wide variety of artifacts from the Civil War, which students were able and encouraged to view, ask questions in regards to, and touch.

The majority of the memorabilia available was contributed by local and passionate collector Jim Vincent. Mr. Vincent contributed swords, rifles, photographs of soldiers, wartime supplies, eyewear, musical instruments, and much more, from years of collecting.

Adjacent to the museum was a Civil War reminiscent photo booth. Students were able to get dressed in provided Civil War era fashion and be photographed alongside their peers in Civil War scenery.

This was a particular favorite of the students who passed through, run by History Club president Madison Freeby. 

Last of the activities in the auditorium was a Victorian Era parlor game that was played during the war. Junior Isaac Oliver ran this game for any students that were interested in receiving a fortune, though many outcomes were not quite so fortunate.

The majority were informed they would have prosperous lives and marriages, receive a visit from an old friend, or die rich; or conversely, endure much pain and sorrow, die single, or die poor. 

A model encampment was set up outside. The classes that teachers brought down to experience the Civil War were able to hear musical soundings of Civil War enthusiast, Ken Purcell, and see the Civil War attire featured on History Club members, notably senior Olivia Rosenberger and junior Willow Gould.

There was also a firing demonstration conducted and food of the period available, provided by Rosenberger. 

What made this Civil War Day so special is not just the way it provided a memorable, joyous, and effective way of showing students the intrigue of experiencing and understanding history for what it is, but also that this acted as a means of progression back towards normalcy for the students.

While this day was not the first Civil War experience put on here at Jim Thorpe for students to experience, garner more interest in history, and shed light upon the natural fascination with the events of the past that many students do not realize they even possess within, it was the first following the pandemic.

It is no secret that COVID-19 led to many students feeling detached, uninterested, and or unmotivated in the academic setting. Just from observing, I was able to conclude that students being able to physically experience history through their senses and learn from the perspective of passionate people caused them to open their minds up more, rather than follow the natural inclination to dismiss new things, that being so detached from the rest of the world during years pivotal to social, emotional, and mental growth has put within adolescents. 

On behalf of the student body, a huge sentiment of gratitude is owed to Mr. Holub, his friends who came to enhance the experience, administrators who allowed and supported this event for the students, student volunteers, teachers who brought down their classes, and Jarrad Hedes with the Times News.

Hedes featured Jim Thorpe’s big day on the cover page and then in more detail again on page 2 of Tuesday, April 16th’s print.

Hopefully this is a tradition that is to be repeated in the years to come and that more hands-on learning experiences will come about here at Jim Thorpe. 

-Gabriella Cerra, Writer

*Featured image is attributed to Times News. https://www.tnonline.com