National Civil War Museum Honors Robert Smalls at Community Free Day

The National Civil War Museum will hold a Community Free Day Saturday, 20 June. The newest exhibit, titled “The Life and Times of Congressman Robert Smalls,” will honor Smalls.

After the Civil War, Robert Smalls became a businessman. He served in the South Carolina State House and Senate and became a United States Congressman. Smalls was born a slave in South Carolina. He piloted eighteen slaves to freedom on a boat in Charleston Harbor in 1862. During the Civil War, he helped the Union Army and Navy. He died in 1915.

Tonight (Friday, 19 June) his great, great grandson Michael Boulware Moore will present "The Life and Legacy of Robert Smalls," offering additional insights and personal, family recollections on his accomplishments at the Museum’s wine and cheese reception.

"The Life and Times of Congressman Robert Smalls," a traveling exhibit on loan from the Robert Smalls Collection and managed by the South Carolina State Museum, will open following Moore’s presentation.

Admission to the wine & cheese reception this (Friday) evening is $10 per person with complimentary admission for Museum members. Advance reservations are required. Click here to register online or call 717.260.1861 x1130.

Admission to the museum in Harrisburg will be free all day Saturday for Community Free Day. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The National Civil War Museum is a member of the Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program. Dedicated solely to the American Civil War, it is one of the largest museums in the world which interprets the entire American Civil War from both a military and civilian perspective. It is located at One Lincoln Circle at Reservoir Park in Harrisburg.

Photo: Robert Smalls, provided by National Civil War Museum

Information for this post was provided by press releases from the National Civil War Museum.

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