As part of Wood County’s Civil War Sesquicentennial celebration, several events are being planned free
for the public.
"Custer in the Civil War" will be presented by Judy Justus on Sunday at 2 p.m., in the Grand
Rapids Library.
The flamboyant 21-year-old cavalry officer, George Armstrong Custer, was the youngest brevet general
commissioned by President Lincoln during the Civil War. Custer was an Ohio native, born in Harrison
County and educated at West Point. He received his high commission in time to aid General Meade’s battle
at Gettysburg in July of 1863.
"The Real Civil War and Why it Matters to Ohioans" will be presented by Jim Bissland on Tuesday
at 6:30 p.m. in the Wood County District Public Library, Bowling Green.
Bissland is the author of "Blood, Tears, and Glory: How Ohioans Won the Civil War." He has two
degrees in history, a doctorate in mass communication studies, and is a writer and associate professor
of journalism emeritus at Bowling Green State University. He was born and raised in New England, but has
lived in Bowling Green since 1976.
Other programs planned include:
¥ "Wood County’s Role in the Civil War" now on exhibit at the Wood County Historical Museum.

¥ Civil War encampment on April 16 to 17 at the historical center and museum.
¥ "Gettysburg" presented by Neil Buttermore, April 19 at 7 p.m., in Way Public Library,
Perrysburg, and again on June 12, at 2 p.m., in the Grand Rapids Town Hall.
¥ "Andrews’ Raiders" presented by Fred Folger on May 1, at 2 p.m. in the Grand Rapids Town
Hall.
¥ "Wood County’s Role in the Civil War" by Tom Boltz on May 5 at 7 p.m. in the North Baltimore
Public Library, again on May 15, at 2 p.m. in Grand Rapids Town Hall, and again Oct. 5, at 6:30 p.m. in
Rossford Library.
The impact of the Civil War on Wood County can be witnessed through these, and a variety of other
programs and events across the county throughout 2011. For a complete list of programs, visit
woodcountyhistory.org or call the museum at (419) 352-0967.
The Wood County Ohio Sesquicentennial Committee is made up of representatives from the Wood County
Historical Society, Perrysburg Area Historical Museum, Historic Perrysburg, Grand Rapids Historical
Society, North Baltimore Historical Society, Ohio Historical Society and Americorps, Wood County
Genealogy Society, and the Tontogany Fest History Committee.