AACWERT
African Americans in the Civil War Era Round Table, Inc
Bill Gwaltney introduces the AACWERT
What is the AACWERT?
The AACWERT is a part of the Civil War Round Table (CWRT) community. These round tables have existed for decades and have traditionally brought like minded individuals who have an interest in America's Civil War together for monthly or quarterly meetings at brick and mortar locations in cities across the nation. Experts in academia, in a multitude of focus areas, in a variety of subjects, within the time period of struggle, have presented lectures to these C WRT members.
This CWRT is unique in that the focus is placed on the African American experience during the time period (1850-1877) all presentations are provided through a web-based communications platform enabling global participation.
African Americans in the Civil War era
100% Virtual Presentations (accessible worldwide)
As a Civil War Round Table dedicated to the subject of the African American experience this forum provides a platform for often untold stories. We purposefully conscious of the roles that racism, enslavement, discrimination and racial violence played in the era. Often overlooked are the powerful uplifting stories too; those of hope, bravery, family, and community. War, emancipation, famine, and pandemics had an effect on the African American community far more powerful than any other ethnic group. The role of African Americans in the military is also one of heroism, hope, struggle for equality, acceptance, and discrimination. These stories and more that are the focus of this CWRT.
What to expect?
We are dedicated to documented history, rather than inventive theories and wishful thinking.
The presentations provided by this Civil War Round Table are based on first-rate research; are well-organized, and are professionally presented. Our African Americans in the Civil War Era Round Table, Inc. is a place for accomplished researchers and historians to share what they have learned, through primary and secondary sources, with interested parties from around the nation and around the world.
USCT Presentation Huntington Beach Civil War Days 2024
Bennie McRae presents to the Rock Creek CWRT - May 11, 2024
"The Transition from Slavery to Freedom in the United States: From the 13 Colonies to the 13th Amendment."
Bennie_McRea_ May 11_2024.m4vHere is the link to Dr. Dwight Pitcaithley's recorded presentation.
"Slavery and Secession
Recorded June 26, 2024
The Lincoln Memorial Shrine, in partnership with the Inland Empire Civil War Round Table and African Americans in the Civil War Era Round Table, presents “Slavery and Secession,” a program by Dr. Dwight Pitcaithley, former Chief Historian for the National Park Service, where he will share his extensive research into the records from the secession winter of 1860-61 and answers the question: “Why did the South secede?”
Currently a Professor of History at New Mexico State University, Dr. Pitcaithley will summarize his two decades of examination of the official records of the secession movement, including the speeches and debates of elected officials captured in the Congressional Globe, proceedings of state legislature and secession conventions, and the Washington Peace Conference. As Dr. Pitcaithley will demonstrate, these records clearly reveal the motivations of the South’s promoters of disunion. Of the speaker, Bill Gwaltney, President of African Americans in the Civil War Era Round Table, said, "Having been in and around the world of Public History for some decades, I am pleased to suggest that Dwight Pitcaithley is a rare combination of wit, deep knowledge, humor, focus, and passion.” Concluding, “He is also a riveting presenter.”
About the Speaker...
Dwight T. Pitcaithley, PhD is a Professor of History at New Mexico State University. He served with the National Park Service for 30 years, retiring as Chief Historian in 2005, a position he held for a decade.
He is the author of a number of books, which include The U.S. Constitution and Secession: A Documentary Anthology of Slavery and White Supremacy (2018) and is a coeditor of The Antiquities Act: A Century of American Archaeology, Historic Preservation, and Nature Conservation (2006). He has also contributed chapters to numerous publications, including Slavery and Public History: The Tough Stuff of American Memory (2006), Preserving Western History (2005), Myth, Memory, and the Making of the American Landscape (2001), and Seeing and Being Seen: Tourism in the American West (2001).
Dr. Pitcaithley has received numerous awards, among them the Organization of American Historians Distinguished Service Award. He is also an elected member of the American Antiquarian Society and a recipient of an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of North Carolina.
About Our Partners...
The Inland Empire Civil War Round Table is an educational organization open to anyone interested in the American Civil War era. It was founded in 1987 and meets in the Assembly Room of Smiley Library and on Zoom. For more information, visit www.inlandempirecwrt.org.
Founded in 2023, African Americans in the Civil War Era Round Table is also an educational organization that seeks to provide a forum for those with an interest in the history of African Americans during the period 1850-1877 as it relates to enslavement, enlistment and emancipation.
What else dos the AACWERT provide?
Our AACWERT provides more than just Zoom presentations. We plan to add to this central hub links to high quality USCT and African Americans in the Civil War information and agencies such as those from libraries, National Archives, US Library of Congress, US Army Center for Military History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Genealogy, etc.