Gettysburg: One Woman's War

Phoenixville Public Library will host a free living history presentation, “Gettysburg: One Woman’s War”, with actress Michèle LaRue, on Monday, March 11 at 6:30 PM.  LaRue will perform three selections from Elsie Singmaster’s classic book, Gettysburg: Stories of the Red Harvest and the Aftermath.  In Singmaster’s powerful and specific exploration of a Civil War icon’s physical and emotional terrain, fictional towns-woman Mary Bowman lives the war and its legacy—from the first shots at Willoughby Run to the consolation of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, to the country’s healing a half century on. Published in 1913, on the eve of another fateful cataclysm : World War I.

Elsie Singmaster (1878 – 1958) is best remembered for her local colorist fiction, featuring the Pennsylvania Germans of her native state. Other Civil War – related works include I Speak for Thaddeus Stevens, “The Courier of the Czar,” and Swords of Steel. A graduate of Cornell University and Radcliffe College, Singmaster lived in Gettysburg for virtually all her adult life.  Professional actress Michèle LaRue has specialized in performances of theatre and literature from America’s Gilded Age and Progressive Era, for 25 years. Her 450-plus sponsors include colleges, universities, libraries, historical societies, and conferences, from Maine to Washington State.

This event is free and open to the public.  Registration is required at https://ccls.libcal.com/calendar/Phoenixville/gettysburg-one-womans-war or by calling 610-933-3013 x132.  Email mp****@cc**.org for more information.  Phoenixville Public Library is located at 183 Second Avenue, Phoenixville, PA.