The National Civil War Museum's 2021 Lessons in History Speaker Series with Dr. Michael P. Gray.

“Crossing the Deadlines: The Rise of Civil War Prisons as Dark Tourist Destinations”

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This presentation will be offered both at the NCWM and virtually. Those wishing to attend in person will be required to pre-register and there will be limited seating.

About the lecture: Students of the Civil War might be surprised that its prison camps became a central stop in the burgeoning field of “dark tourism. This presentation will focus on how prison camps witnessed an expansive number of “viewing episodes” that advanced capitalistic patterns of competition, resulting in some prisons evolving into local tourist attractions—at the expense of prisoners and to the profit of businesspersons.

About the Presenter: Dr. Michael P. Gray is a Professor of History at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. He is currently finishing an edited volume entitled Crossing the Deadline: Civil War Prisons Reconsidered and is progressing on a full-length treatment on the Johnson’s Island Prison. He has also received multiple awards from ESU faculty and students for excellence in teaching.

The 2021 Lessons in History program is free to the public and will require advanced registration, due to limited seating. Regular museum admission applies for entrance to the museum galleries. The National Civil War Museum will follow CDC and OSHA/HHS guidance as well as orders and recommendations from federal/state/local governments and our state and local health officials. For your safety and ours, we ask the following:

·        Wear a face mask while in the museum (Masks are not required for children under the age of 2 or for those with medical issues)

·        Maintain recommended 6 feet between yourself and others, not in your party

·        Sanitize your hands upon entry and frequently during your visit