Civil War Panorama: Columbia County 1860 - 1865
(March 2012 - December 2013) 

The enormity of the American Civil War looms large in our national culture. New York State played a complex role in the drama. New York provided more to the Union cause during the Civil War than any other state; New York provided more soldiers and more soldiers gave their lives – over 400,000 troops, more than 10% of whom died. We paid more taxes and gave more money to war related charities. We purchased the most war bonds and we were the “bread basket of the Union” providing most of the food and provisions. Our economy, however, was inextricably linked to the south.

This exhibition aimed to bring statistics of the Civil War home to Columbia County, telling real stories of real families. Gideon Lathrop’s diary guided viewers through the exhibition, telling a bit about his experience as the father of a soldier. Variations on Lathrop’s story were no doubt told by the families of every solider from Columbia County, many with happier endings, but more with similar sadness. Almost 3,000 men from Columbia County served in the Union Army. Their names covered four walls of the exhibition. The stories of several men were explored in depth. 22 people and institutions lent their treasures to this exhibition. We thank them, many individual donors, the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation, the New York Council for the Humanities and the Greater Hudson Heritage Network for making this exhibition possible. 

All Photos  ©2013 CCHS, All Rights Reserved.  (photos by Michael Fredericks)