LEWISBURG - A new exhibit running through the summer will provide a look at the Civil War from the perspective of those from the area who fought in it.
"A Regional Civil War Exhibit," presented by the Susquehanna River Valley Heritage Alliance, opened Sunday and will run for the next three months at the Packwood House Museum in Lewisburg.
The exhibit is a group effort between the Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union County Historical Societies and coincides with the sesquicentennial of a war that gripped the nation from 1861 to 1865.
"This is our first event of this group for the Civil War and we are pleased to have it here," said Richard Sauers, director of the Packwood House Museum.
The display shows off several photographs of local soldiers who fought, displays on various items and weapons used in that period, and period uniforms on display.
Several sections are dedicated to specific topics, like the area's role in the "Underground Railroad," maps of the area, area industries as how the iron rails made in Danville helped in the war, as well as the newspaper coverage, such as the Shamokin Herald.
One display, the Women of the Homefront, tells the story of Sarah Mintzer, originally from Danville but later living in Brady. Mintzer, along with her husband John, took the oath of service in September 1861 to serve in the war with her husband.
Mintzer became the caretaker of the soldiers of Company E of the 12th Regular Infantry, doing everything from caring for the wounded to laundering uniforms.
"Many of the artifacts that we have here come from a private collection, but we are honored to have them here," Sauers said. "We've been working for a few months to get all the items ready, and have everything displayed just right.
Sauers hopes that the exhibit will become a jumping off point for people to learn about the Civil War.
"We will be creating a booklet of addresses and weblinks were people can look up some of this history for themselves, and dig deeper into it," the director said.
Following this exhibit, the group will begin work on finding a location for an exhibit in Snyder County in 2012, Northumberland County in 2013, Montour County in 2014 and then back to the Packwood House in 2015.
"We want each county to make the exhibit their own, with their own unique history," he said.
Admission to the exhibit is $5 for everyone 12 and over. Those taking the tour of the Packwood House Museum can view the exhibit for free.
The exhibit opens this Tuesday to the public and will be running until Sept. 17. The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information., visit www.packwoodhousemuseum.com or VisitCentralPA.org/PACivilWar150.