Mike Kennedy 
As one of the country’s foremost authorities on the 1862 Valley Campaign, Gary Ecelbarger has carved out an impressive niche among Civil War scholars. But it wasn’t until the BGES member entered graduate school at the University of Wisconsin that he envisioned any future for himself as a historian. Science had always been a much … Read more
For Alabama natives Mike Bunn and Norm Dasinger, hosting a BGES tour on their home turf is a thrill that never gets old. Both men are experts on the Yellowhammer State, and nothing brings them more pleasure than sharing their knowledge with a rapt audience of history lovers. The fact that the longtime friends are … Read more
Old habits die hard. But that’s not always a bad thing. For nearly 40 years, Dr. Stephen Wise has walked into the same office day after day after day. And not once has he tired of it. An author, speaker, and devoted student of American history, Wise is also the director of the museum for … Read more
From the start of the Civil War, the Union knew its fortunes relied heavily on control of the Mississippi River. That, in turn, made Vicksburg of great strategic importance. As Federal forces descended on the city in 1863, there was a sense that the war was about to enter a new phase, one that would … Read more
[Editor’s Note: The tour has been postponed until 2023, but it’s never too soon to start getting excited about this amazing tour!] Throughout its history, New Orleans has experienced its fair share of struggle and hardship. Recent events, including Hurricane Ida, underscore this undeniable truth. Fortunately, resiliency is also part of the city’s legacy. As … Read more
“American hero” is a term thrown around all too casually these days, especially in this era of endless political cycles and over-zealous media personalities who believe they’re the purveyors of patriotism. But that’s not the case with the late Ernest Evans, a U.S. Navy commander during World War II. He was the real McCoy. BGES … Read more
What do a roustabout in Alaska’s Arctic oilfields, a deckhand on a Norwegian freighter, and a New York City cabbie have in common? Besides the need for hazard pay, all were jobs held at one time or another by BGES member Fergus Bordewich during a lifetime defined by a hunger to experience the human … Read more
Upon completing a phone interview with BGES member Greg Mertz, you are immediately struck by two thoughts. First, despite an illustrious career in the National Parks system, including more than two decades as the Supervisory Historian at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park (FRSP), Mertz might have missed his calling. His rich, distinctive voice and … Read more
This coming October, longtime friends Gary Ecelbarger and Scott Patchan will team up once again for a BGES tour. But this time around, the duo will turn their attention to the Revolutionary War with “Washington’s Desperate Gambit,” slated for October 13–17, 2021. Ecelbarger sees it as a golden opportunity for BGES members. “I’m certain they … Read more
Darryl Smith may be new to BGES, but he’s a grizzled veteran when it comes to Civil War history in Ohio and Kentucky. The owner of Walking With History, Smith will host his first BGES tour later this summer, focusing on the often-overlooked battles waged along the Ohio River. “Civil War on the Ohio” runs … Read more
You must be logged in to post a comment.