Clara Barton: "No Ordinary Courage"

Public Service hallmarked Clara Barton’s life from her initial career as a school teacher to her medical support and nursing during the Civil War, establishment of the American Red Cross and First Aid Association in 1905.  A favorite civilian volunteer of Generals Ambrose Burnside, Benjamin Butler and Ulysses S. Grant, she received a rare compliment from President Abraham Lincoln via his published request to the public supporting her missing soldier’s identification work.  This presentation explores the talents and events that guided Barton throughout her life and her legacy to the American people through the American Red Cross.

SUSAN ROSENVOLD began her foray into Civil War History after watching the movie Gettysburg to spy some friends who were extras.  Not recognizing some of the main characters piqued her interest and she has studied 19th Century American history ever since.  Ms. Rosenvold has a Masters of History with a Civil War concentration, specializing in Clara Barton and Lt. General James Longstreet’s lives and roles during the Civil War.  She has volunteered at Antietam National Battlefield, led the staff of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in operating the Pry House Field Hospital Museum, and managed that Museum’s project of developing and opening Clara Barton’s Missing Soldiers Office in Washington D.C.  Ms. Rosenvold has conducted living history camps, portrayed Clara Barton on the Discovery Channel’s Civil War 360, hosted two episodes of American Artifacts on CSPAN-3 American History, and given many programs on several different aspects of the Civil War.  As a Clara Barton/Civil War scholar, Ms. Rosenvold offers lectures, guided tours, PowerPoint presentations, and first person portrayals (in period dress).  

Note: April 12 is the 106th anniversary of Clara Barton's death.