FREE
Streaming
Audio!
Edwin C. Bearss
The Remarkable Edwin C. Bearss
Share this Program
Email a Friend!
Learning Links
Ed Bearss in the Sept.
1995 issue of The Smithsonian Magazine
The remains of the doomed USS Cairo rediscovered by Ed Bearss
Books
See Ed's star performance in this popular Civil War documentary series
Smithsonian's Great
Battles & Battlefields of the Civil War
By Jay Wirtz and Ed Bearss
-
PROGRAM (1:15:02)
Photo: Susan Dennis, used with permission
Marc Pachter, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, shares this evening with one of our country's living treasures, Civil War historian Edwin C. Bearss.
Early Life in Montana
Ed shares stories about growing up in Montana; his early interest in the Civil War; and, explains why his name is pronounced "Barss" and not "Beerss".
Military Career, Work at the National Park Service, and his first trip to the Smithsonian
Ed tells about his war experiences (World War II, that is); his post-war college days; his important work on raising the Cairo; and, what it was like to be a Northerner in the South.
Fame Comes to Those Who Wait
Ed's first meeting with Ken Burns; how he copes with fame, fortune, and recognition; why the Civil War--and history--matter.
Question and Answer Session
-
Growing up in Montana, did you have the chance to meet any Civil War veterans?
-
How do you draw on and recall so many facts? And, is there a list of your collected work?
-
Nathan Bedford Forest's reputation has been reassessed recently; are there others we should also look at and re-analyze?
-
Is there a location you would like to see preserved and made into a park?
-
Did you ever meet "Chesty" Puller when you were in New Britain during World War II?
-
The audience thanks Ed for "suffering fools" during his tours.
Audio Cassettes
and Online Audio Programs
Online
Associate | The Smithsonian
Associates Home
Comments? Questions? Send us an e-mail to voices@tsa.si.edu