Submitted photo
Paul LaRue leading a group of teachers in a tour of the Camp Chase Confederate Prison Cemetery in Columbus.
LaRue named to Ohio Civil War advisory group
COLUMBUS- Washinton High School teacher Paul LaRue is among 15 Ohioans named to a committee commemmorating Ohio's involvement in the Civil War.
The appointment is in response to Gov. Ted Strickland's directive to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Civil War in Ohio (2011-2015), the Ohio Historical Society has appointed 15 Ohioans to the Civil War 150 Advisory Committee, announced Jim Strider, acting executive director.
Made up of individuals from around the state, the committee will provide guidance to the historical society on programs and activities to ensure a successful commemoration effort at both the state and local levels. Meeting will run quarterly, and members will serve until the end 2015.
"These individuals represent men and women who have a deep interest in Ohio history, particularly its Civil War heritage," Strider said. "Advisory committee members also will contribute their professional expertise in history, education, state government, historical organizations, media and tourism."
Paul LaRue is a social studies teacher at Washington High School and lives in Washington C. H. He has been honored for his innovative methods of teaching Civil War history by the American Legion (2003 Educator of the Year) and the Civil War Preservation Trust, among others.
Ohio's leadership before, during and after the Civil War had a profound influence on American history. Decades later, Gov. Ted Strickland wants to make sure that all Ohioans remember the past of their great state and the sacrifices that were made to preserve the Union. He chose the Ohio Historical Society to lead the effort because the state history organization is "uniquely positioned" to direct the initiative.
"It is important not only to commemorate the historic significance of the Civil War, but to also celebrate the role that Ohio and Ohioans played in achieving the monumental victory," Gov. Strickland said in his directive to historical society last April. "The Ohio Historical Society is uniquely positioned with the expertise and physical resources to lead the state in commemorating the Civil War in Ohio."
In addition to establishing the Civil War 150 Advisory Committee, the historical society has organized a statewide network of organizations and historic sites so that the Civil War tribute can be organized seamlessly. One goal is to raise awareness of the upcoming sesquicentennial and encourage Ohioans to visit the many Civil War sites across the state.
"Ohio's link to the Civil War is a very significant one," Strider said. "Ohioans had a deep and lasting influence on the war, and the war spurred an age of great prosperity and political power for the state."
To help raise awareness about Ohio's pivotal role in Civil War history, the Ohio Historical Society and Cleveland State University's Center for Public History and Digital Humanities recently launched www.ohiocivilwar150.org to commemorate the upcoming 150th anniversary of the war in 2011 to 2015.
The Web site is a collection of information as well as a tool for the public, educators and local history groups to collaborate and share their knowledge of Ohio's Civil War history.
The Ohio Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that serves as the state's partner in preserving and interpreting Ohio's history, natural history, archaeology and historic architecture. For more information about programs and events, visit http://www.ohiohistory.org" www.ohiohistory.org.
"Ads published on this site are not for republication in print or web media without the expressed written consent of both the advertiser and The Brown Publishing Company."
