LaRue to present ‘Past Glory’ at Kelton House

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Local resident and historian, Paul LaRue, will be presenting the program “Past Glory Lives of African American Civil War Veterans 1865-1915.”

The presentation will be held Sunday, July 17 at 3 p.m. at the Kelton House Museum & Garden, 586 East Town St. in Columbus. Tickets to the event are $5 per person.

Built by Fernando Cortez Kelton, a prosperous wholesaler of dry goods and pharmaceuticals, the Kelton House incorporates elements of the Greek Revival and Italianate styles. The garden features hedges, statuary, diverse plant specimens, lattice work and mixed perennial borders that demonstrate a Victorian sensibility.

The simple beauty of the mansion’s facade, however, housed dangerous politics (for the time). The Keltons were active supporters of the abolitionist movement. They did all they could to assist ex-slaves, freed slaves and freeborn blacks and fugitives, including one young woman who was sheltered at the home for 10 years.

LaRue will be presenting the lives of African American Civil War Veterans during his talk. Over 200,000 African-American soldiers and sailors served in the Union War effort. These men lived the next 50 years facing a series of challenges. These challenges included obtaining military benefits and preserving the lasting memory of their contributions to the nation. This is their story presented by LaRue.

LaRue spent 30 years teaching history in the Washington City School District and has received numerous state and national teaching awards. He is best known for getting his students out of the classroom and into the community. He has spoken at numerous presentations, dedication ceremonies and other historically-related events. LaRue also specializes in highlighting historic African-American figures and has led efforts to maintain monuments or relay information about these individuals through classroom lesson plans or historical markers.

Reservations are recommended for the event and can be done by calling (614) 464-2022 or emailing [email protected]. Parking is available in Junior League/Kelton House lot on Franklin Avenue.

Paul LaRue
http://www.recordherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2016/07/web1_PaulLaRueHeadshot.jpgPaul LaRue

By Martin Graham

[email protected]

Reach Martin Graham at (740) 313-0351 or on Twitter @MartiTheNewsGuy

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