Guest Speaker: Anthony Gibbs

Topic: Freedom, citizenship, and Equality: The Story of the United States Colored Troops

Almost 200,000 black soldiers fought for the Union during the Civil War. Their story is a unique chapter in the American conflict. These men were freedom fighters who fought for emancipation and for full citizenship rights. Mr. Gibbs discusses events significant to these men that led up to the Civil War, and what made these men different from the other thousands who fought and died in the War Between the States.

Anthony Gibbs Bio

Anthony Gibbs has traveled throughout the state of Ohio as a teaching artist and living history performer. Anthony has portrayed living history characters such as John Parker, an Underground Railroad conductor from Ripley, OH; Milton Holland, a soldier and Medal of Honor recipient of the 5th U.S.C.T.; and other key figures in African American History. For over 12 years Anthony has presented historical workshops and performances on the United States Colored Troops and their participation in the Civil War. Anthony is a graduate of The Ohio State University. He is currently employed by the Ohio History Connection as the Coordinator of Community Engagement. He is founder and Creative Director of Black Historic Impressions, an organization dedicated to the remembrance, appreciation, and exhibition of African American contributions throughout history.

This program is free thanks to the generous support of the Washington County Public Library.