The enormity of the American Civil War looms large in our national culture. New York State played a complex role in the drama, providing more to the Union cause than any other state. New York also provided more soldiers and more soldiers who gave their lives—over 400,000 troops, representing more than 10% of the total dead. We paid more taxes and gave more money to war-related charities. We purchased the most war bonds and we were the “breadbasket 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 soldier 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. 

Twenty-two 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.