For immediate release

Contact: Lynn Smolizer

717.260.1861 x. 1108

lsmolizer@nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

Harrisburg, PA - The National Civil War Museum will be the host for an episode of Humanities On The Road, a new television initiative presented by Pennsylvania Humanities Council (PHC) and broadcast on Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN). The Museum was selected from more than 75 organizations from across Pennsylvania to present "Thaddeus Stevens: The Politics of Freedom", featuring Steven Anderson. The episode will be taped before a live audience on Wednesday, June 30 at 6:00pm at The National Civil War Museum. PCN will broadcast the episode to 3.3 million households in the fall.

HUMANITIES ON THE ROAD

A new television series that showcases humanities presentations at select cultural sites across Pennsylvania, Humanities on the Road features award-winning broadcast journalist Tracey Matisak, as well as talent from PHC's speakers bureau. The series features interactive presentations on topics ranging from Nancy Drew to African American folk traditions to John Updike to Pennsylvania German culture. Filmed in front of a live audience at different venues, each episode shines a spotlight on some of Pennsylvania's most intriguing cultural landmarks and communities.

THE EPISODE

The taping of Thaddeus Stevens: The Politics of Freedom is free and open to the public.

As a leading attorney, Congressman, operative on the Underground Railroad and co-author of two Amendments to the Constitution, Thaddeus Stevens worked for 50 years in Pennsylvania to champion the causes of freedom, equality and public education. How did he form his convictions? What insights can he provide on our own divisive politics? And why did Jubal Early want him dead? Actor and living history interpreter Steve Anderson uses research, classic American storytelling, excerpts from historical speeches and fiery discussion to shed new light on how a farm boy became one of the most influential men in 19th-century politics.

An English professor turned professional actor, Steven Anderson has discovered his true passion for the hybrid art of educational performance. He is especially interested in stories of the Civil War. A founding member of the Pennsylvania Past Players, Anderson spent the past three years traveling the Civil War trails, visiting communities as attorney-turned-Congressman Thaddeus Stevens, telling his stories, and helping residents and visitors connect with the history of Central Pennsylvania.

THE HOST ORGANIZATION

"The National Civil War Museum is excited to be chosen as a host organization for this interesting topic. The Museum has served as the home base for the Pennsylvania Past Players and welcomes Mr. Anderson back to tell his story to visitors," stated Museum CEO, David Patterson.

SEASON ONE TAPING SCHEDULE

Season One of Humanities on the Road will be taped at cultural venues across Pennsylvania between April and June. The complete taping schedule follows.

Southwestern PA

Taping Date: Saturday, June 19 at 2pm

Society for Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh to host African Arts of the Yoruba Diaspora with artist Temujin Ekunfeo

Taping Date: Saturday, June 26 at 2pm

Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh to host Teenie Harris' Photographs and Black Pittsburgh with historian Laurence Glasco

South Central PA

Taping Date: Saturday, April 10 at 1pm

Jump Street to host Can't Tell a Lie, Peach Cobbler Pie! with storyteller Linda Goss at Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg

Taping Date: Saturday, May 22 at 3pm

Albany Township Historical Society in Kempton to host PA German Music, Dance & Instruments with musician Keith Brintzenhoff

Northeastern PA

Taping Date: Sunday, May 2 at 2pm

Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock to host Alive to the Call: Women and History in NEPA with art historian Josephine Dunn

Taping Date: Thursday, May 20 at 6:30pm

Albright Memorial Library in Scranton to host John Updike's Pennsylvania with journalist Frank Fitzpatrick

Taping Date: Thursday, June 24 at 6pm

Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre to host The (R)Evolution of Nancy Drew with scholar Michael Cornelius

Southeastern PA

Taping Date: Sunday, April 25 at 2pm

Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center in Pennsburg to host PA German Groundhog Lodges with anthropologist William Donner

Taping Date: Thursday, June 3 at 5:30pm

University of Pennsylvania Museum in Philadelphia to host American Indian Cultures in the 21st Century with scholar John Sanchez

Taping Date: Thursday, June 10 at 2pm

Belmont Mansion in Philadelphia to host My Name is Oney Judge with historian Diane Turner

Taping Date: Thursday, July 8 at 7pm

Trinity Center for Urban Life in Philadelphia to host The Black Mozart: Joseph Boulogna Chevalier de Saint-Georges with pianist Charles Pettaway

ABOUT PENNSYLVANIA HUMANITIES COUNCIL

Pennsylvania Humanities Council, a nonprofit organization, inspires individuals to enjoy and share a life of learning. PHC's statewide speakers bureau and packaged book discussion program for public libraries serve as resources for residents of Pennsylvania. PHC also offers grants which support humanities programs centered in the arts, history, literature and other humanities fields. For more information, visit www.pahumanities.org.

ABOUT PENNSYLVANIA CABLE NETWORK
Since 2000, PHC has partnered with the Pennsylvania Cable Network to feature talks by nationally-known authors like Frank McCourt. Our state's version of C-SPAN, PCN provides live unedited coverage of state government and original programs like PA Books and It's History. The network is funded by over 150 cable stations that serve more than 10 million in the state. For more information, visit www.pcntv.com.