MOUNT VERNON - When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Union and Confederate officers could never have predicted the role women would play in gathering information about the enemy. But as Northern and Southern women began providing critical intelligence on everything from the enemy’s movements to its military strategy, both sides began to actively recruit them as operatives. Over the course of the war, hundreds of women acted as undercover agents, willing to risk their lives to help their cause.
On Thursday, June 28, the Chautauqua Series invites Elizabeth Van Lew, a Northern spy, who lived in Richmond, Virginia, to describe the life of a woman spy in confederate territory during the American Civil War. Elizabeth will be portrayed in first person living history format by Chris Petee, bringing to life a part of history the has not received enough attention over the years and highlights the huge contribution women spies made to restoring the Union.
The performance will be at the Grand Hotel in downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio, located at 12 Public Square and is offered on a donation basis. Elixir Presents in association with the Ariel Foundation and The Grand Hotel bring our community year round Chautauqua style performances of historical figures from a wide range of eras including the American Revolution, Civil War, Old West, WWI & WWII, the Entertainment World and some of the many contributions made by local, Ohio, country and international women and men, who have made a difference to our community and to the world.
The doors open at 6 PM for the program that is assessable to those with special needs and begins at 7 PM with 30 minutes of Civil War era music presented by Steve Ball, followed by the portrayal of Elizabeth Van Lew and concluded with an open question and answer period with the audience.
For more information about this and upcoming programs in the Chautauqua Series, visit www.elixirpresents.com or call 740-392-6102 or 740-392-3018. If you’d like to receive a gentle reminder email on the Sunday before each program, send request to Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com
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