The Greatest Hits of the Civil War: America's First Professional Songwriters

Over the next five years, organizations from the Smithsonian Institution to local historical societies across the country, will mark the 150th anniversary of Civil War battles and events with special programs and exhibits. We will jumpstart the commemoration with a musical program at our annual dinner meeting to be held on September 24 at the First Church of Christ in Mansfield Center. Following a sumptuous dinner and a brief business meeting, Rick Spencer will debut his new program: "The Greatest Hits of the Civil War: America's First Professional Songwriters." His program will include compositions by four of the nation's earliest popular songwriters. Songs by Daniel Decatur Emmett, Stephen Collins Foster, George F. Root and Henry Clay Work were known and loved by Americans on both sides of the War. These songs give remarkable insight into the character of the American people at the time of our country's greatest and most divisive conflict. The program also includes a discussion of the phenomenon of the American minstrel show and its cultural impact, both positive and negative, on our culture.

Rick Spencer is known internationally for his work as a historian, singer, songwriter and performer of music in the American folk tradition. For over 25 years he has traveled and performed at venues which include concert stages, folk festivals, museums, historical societies, schools, and pubs. Rick sings and accompanies himself on various instruments including button accordion guitar, banjo, concertina, mandolin, and dulcimer.

Rick was a staff musician and interpreter for 20 years at Mystic Seaport, the Museum of America and the Sea. There he joined with four others to form the renowned sea music group, “Forebitter.” He became recognized widely as an authority on the history and presentation of traditional sea music and chanteys. Currently, in addition to his musical career, he serves as the Executive Director of the Dr. Ashbel Woodward Museum in Franklin, CT.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE DINNER. Please send in the reservation form or call the museum (860-429-6575) by September 17 to reserve your spot.

Those who wish to attend the program only should arrive by 7:30 p.m. There will be an admission fee of $3.00 at the door for those who are not attending the dinner.