Posted on June 22, 2011 by Georgeanne Reuter

Throughout 2011, the Kelton House Museum & Garden will commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War through a series of lectures and activities. All programs will be held at the Museum, 586 East Town Street, Columbus. These programs are made possible in part by the Ohio Humanities Council, a State Affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

An Afternoon with the Colonel's Lady: Apparel of the Mid-19^th Century

Sunday, July 17, 2011, 2:00 p.m. ($5/person)

Always wanted to wear a hoop skirt and portray Scarlett O'Hara? Now is your chance. Lynda Kerr will present a lively look into a woman's life in the era of the Civil War through costume and accessories. Lynda will unveil the secret of the layers of clothing worn by women during the era of the Civil War.

Closest to the skin were the drawers made of cotton or linen and trimmed with lace, a chemise, and stockings held up with garters. The next layer featured the corset and a crinoline or hoop skirt. Next came the petticoat bodice or corset cover, followed by the bodice, skirt (often held up with "braces"), belt and slippers. Over it all was a shawl or jacket, accompanied by gloves, boots, parasol, and bonnet. Ladies would always carry a purse, handkerchief, fan and perhaps a watch pocket. Whew!

Lynda Kerr has been a re-enactor since 1995 when she saw her first Gettysburg re-enactment. She became spellbound by the sites and sounds of the transformed town of Gettysburg and the battlefields. She began to research period attire and to make costumes for family and friends, finally creating a business called the Colonel's Lady Civil War Attire. She is a member of the Civil War Preservation Trust, The Charlotte Civil War Round Table, the United Daughters of the Confederacy--Stonewall Jackson Chapter 220 and the Dixie Rose Relief Society.

Twelve Oaks Barbeque

Sunday, August 14, 2011, 1:00 p.m. ($5/person general admission OR $20/person general admission and barbeque dinner)

Step back into Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind as the book's Twelve Oaks Barbeque comes to life. Hear Scarlett's "fiddle-dee-dee" and experience Melanie's sweet personality. Other characters from the book as well as the period will enlighten and entertain. Help us find Rhett Butler in the Rhett Look-Alike Contest.

Child's Play: Games in 19^th Century America

Sunday, October 16, 2011, 2:00 p.m. ($5/person)

Learn games that never cease to entertain. Ellen Ford will teach your children about how their 19^th century counterparts would have spent their leisure time. Child-appropriate tours of the Museum will be available.

Finding Your Past: Basic Training for Your Civil War Ancestor Research

Saturday, November 5, 2011, 2:00 p.m. ($5/person)

Learn the basics of genealogical research using central Ohio archives and computer resources.

Reservations recommended for all events. For more information, call 614.464.2022 or visit www.keltonhouse.com.

Tours of the Kelton House Museum will also be available during all the programs. Experience the grandeur of the 19^th century and learn about life in the era of the Civil War, the Underground Railroad and the beginnings of Columbus as a city.  Tours are led by costumed docents.

General Information

The Kelton House Museum & Garden is located at 586 E. Town Street in downtown Columbus.  Built in 1852 by Fernando Cortez and Sophia Stone Kelton, the House has been preserved with Kelton family treasures from the 1800's.  Strong Abolitionists, the Kelton family hid fugitive slaves and gave long term support to a particular African-American family. In 1975, when Grace Kelton, the granddaughter of Fernando and Sophia, died, her will entrusted the property to the Columbus Foundation with the stipulation that her family home be preserved and used as a museum of local history and the decorative arts. In 1976, The Junior League of Columbus took on the task of renovating and restoring the house and garden to create a museum of 19^th-century life.

Today, the Kelton House Museum and Garden is a community service of the Junior League of Columbus that offers an ongoing program of house tours, special events and educational opportunities. An active volunteer program provides a training ground for individuals interested in historic preservation, the decorative arts, American History and museum management.

For more information about the Kelton House Museum and Garden log on to www.keltonhouse.com or call 614.464.2022.