News

January 4, 2006
Civil War Expert to Speak at ECC

The ECC History Department and the William Dorsey Pender Civil War Roundtable will sponsor a free lecture by Ed Bearss, National Park Historian Emeritus, on Friday, January 13.

     The public is invited to the lecture, which will be held in the Mobley Atrium of the AC&T Center on the college's Tarboro campus.

      The lecture is entitled "The Battle of Stones River-The Hard Earned Victory." It will begin at 7:30 p.m. A dinner prior to the lecture will begin at 6:30 p.m.; cost is $12. Please contact Monika Fleming at the college, (252) 823-5166, ext. 241, by January 10 to make reservations for the dinner.

      Smithsonian magazine recognized Bearss as one of 35 individuals who have made a difference in American culture in its November 2005 issue. Bearss has led tours for the Smithsonian and other historic groups across America and Europe.

      A World War II Marine veteran, he retired in 1995 after 40 years with the National Park Service. He is a renowned historian and author of 19 books and numerous articles on the Civil War and United States military history. Bearss regularly leads tours for the Smithsonian and for "History America."

      In a recent biography by John C. Waugh, Bearss is described as a "national treasure." "He knows more about American parks and United States military history than anyone," says Waugh.
Bearss is an expert on North Carolina history and has given talks about Wilmington, Fort Fisher, Bentonville, Bennett Place, the USS North Carolina, and the Revolutionary Battle at Moore's Creek.

      Although he is primarily known for his historical knowledge, he also is a leader in historic preservation, working with Congress to preserve and protect historic sites and battlefields across the country. He has received numerous awards for his preservation work including the Department of Interior's Distinguished Service Award and special recognition by Congress.

      The William Dorsey Pender Civil War Roundtable was begun 17 years ago by area citizens to learn more about the American Civil War. It is named in honor of Major General William Dorsey Pender of Edgecombe County.

      For more information, contact Monika Fleming at (252) 823-5166, ext. 241, or email flemingm@edgecombe.edu.

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Tarboro: (252) 823-5166 2009 W. Wilson St., Tarboro, NC 27886

Rocky Mount:  (252) 446-0436 225 Tarboro St., Rocky Mount, NC 27801