Kentucky Historical Society
August Food for Thought Program to Focus on Civil War Diaries

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 29, 2010)— The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) will explore the internal conflicts of the Civil War when Nancy Disher Baird discusses “Josie Underwood’s Civil War Diary” at noon on Aug. 18 at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort.

The KHS Museum Theatre program will also present “Dear Friend: The Civil War Diaries of Annie McCarroll Starling,” a live theatre performance, at the luncheon.

Food for Thought: “Civil War Diaries “ invites guests to take an in-depth look at two young ladies’ diaries, which reflect the complexities of that era.  One woman was a slave owner who opposed Lincoln, but remained loyal to the Union. The other was a vehement supporter of the Union who did not own slaves. Both diaries describe the rifts between friends and families that occurred when loved ones fought on opposite sides in the war.  But the diaries also show lives that were refreshingly normal at times, with entries about travels, parties, courtships and local gossip.

Baird, a teacher, author, speaker and world traveler, has published many books and articles, including “Josie Underwood’s Civil War Diary.” She is recently retired from the Kentucky Library at Western Kentucky University (WKU). Her achievements include a WKU award for public service and the Sara Tyler Merit Award, which honors a member of the WKU faculty for outstanding dedicated service in the field of librarianship.

The menu for the luncheon includes mini-BLTs, garden salad, grilled chicken, farm-stand corn salad, broccoli casserole, cantaloupe, watermelon, yeast rolls, brownies and iced tea or water.

Tickets to the luncheon, which is part of the KHS Highlighting History series, are $18 for KHS members and $23 for other patrons. To make a reservation, contact Julia Curry at 502-564-1792 or Julia.Curry@ky.gov. Reservations are required by Aug. 13.

The KHS Highlighting History series includes History Speaks!, Food for Thought and special Thursday evening programs and offers guests an opportunity to explore a wide variety of historical topics. To find out more about Highlighting History and other KHS programs, visit www.history.ky.gov.