HARRISBURG – As the nation prepares to mark the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Pennsylvania invites travelers to Harrisburg, Nov. 4-7, to participate in a story unknown to most Americans: the Pennsylvania Grand Review.
The Pennsylvania Grand Review is a year-long commemoration of the November 1865 event of the same name. It was originally organized by citizens of Pennsylvania’s capital city to honor the United States Colored Troops from 25 states who had been excluded from the Grand Review of the Armies, a military procession held earlier that year in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the end of the Civil War.
“Pennsylvania was the only state to hold such an event after the Civil War, and yet this defining moment was nearly lost in the passage of time,” said Mickey Rowley, Department of Community and Economic Development deputy secretary for tourism. “Once again, Pennsylvania will honor the United States Colored Troops by inviting descendants and those who would like to learn more about them to convene in Harrisburg for a grand commemoration fitting of their honorable service and dedication to preserving this nation.”
The Pennsylvania Grand Review culminates Nov. 4 -7 in a weekend of celebration, heritage and living history in downtown Harrisburg with a commemorative procession. The event will feature the stories of 100 African-American soldiers, color guards, and regiments from various states, community and historical groups and descendant families.
“In addition to the commemorations, visitors can expand their experience by visiting the National Civil War Museum, State Museum, PA National Fire Museum, and have the opportunity to view the commonwealth’s collection of more than 400 Civil War battle flags,” Rowley said. “We also hope that visitors from other states will extend their stay and explore the Dutch Country Roads region that includes Gettysburg, Lancaster, and Hershey – all just a short drive from Harrisburg.”
The Grand Review has attracted national attention as regiments from several states, including North Carolina, New York, Virginia, New Jersey, Ohio, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Tennessee, will join the ranks. The White Carnation League, an alliance of United States Colored Troops descendants, scholars and supporters, also worked with leading genealogists to help families across the nation research and make connections between family histories. Descendants of troops are traveling to Harrisburg from as far as California, Nevada, Wisconsin and Missouri.
The Pennsylvania Grand Review was created in partnership with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, Amtrak, Appalachian Regional Commission, PA Dutch Country Roads, Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau, Sen. John Heinz History Center, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Concerned Black Men of PA, Partnership for Sacred Spaces, Institute for Cultural Partnerships, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Pennsylvania Civil War 150 Consortium, Historical Society of Dauphin County, Dauphin County Parks and Recreation, Jump Street Inc., Harrisburg 150, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Northern Appalachian Studies.
The Pennsylvania Tourism Office, under DCED, is dedicated to inspiring travel to the State of Independence. For more information, go to visitPA.com or call (800) VISIT PA; become a fan at facebook.com/visitPA, follow us at twitter.com/visitPA, friend us at foursquare.com/visitPA, share photos at flickr.com/visitPA, or watch us on youtube.com/visitPA. For a free subscription to Pursuits Magazine, go to visitPA.com/pursuits.
As the nation prepares to mark the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Pennsylvania invites travelers to Harrisburg, Nov. 4-7, to participate in a story unknown to most Americans: the Pennsylvania Grand Review.
The Pennsylvania Grand Review is a year-long commemoration of the November 1865 event of the same name. It was originally organized by citizens of Pennsylvania’s capital city to honor the United States Colored Troops from 25 states who had been excluded from the Grand Review of the Armies, a military procession held earlier that year in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the end of the Civil War.
“Pennsylvania was the only state to hold such an event after the Civil War, and yet this defining moment was nearly lost in the passage of time,” said Mickey Rowley, Department of Community and Economic Development deputy secretary for tourism. “Once again, Pennsylvania will honor the United States Colored Troops by inviting descendants and those who would like to learn more about them to convene in Harrisburg for a grand commemoration fitting of their honorable service and dedication to preserving this nation.”
The Pennsylvania Grand Review culminates Nov. 4 -7 in a weekend of celebration, heritage and living history in downtown Harrisburg with a commemorative procession. The event will feature the stories of 100 African-American soldiers, color guards, and regiments from various states, community and historical groups and descendant families.
“In addition to the commemorations, visitors can expand their experience by visiting the National Civil War Museum, State Museum, PA National Fire Museum, and have the opportunity to view the commonwealth’s collection of more than 400 Civil War battle flags,” Rowley said. “We also hope that visitors from other states will extend their stay and explore the Dutch Country Roads region that includes Gettysburg, Lancaster, and Hershey – all just a short drive from Harrisburg.”
The Grand Review has attracted national attention as regiments from several states, including North Carolina, New York, Virginia, New Jersey, Ohio, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Tennessee, will join the ranks. The White Carnation League, an alliance of United States Colored Troops descendants, scholars and supporters, also worked with leading genealogists to help families across the nation research and make connections between family histories. Descendants of troops are traveling to Harrisburg from as far as California, Nevada, Wisconsin and Missouri.
The Pennsylvania Grand Review was created in partnership with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, Amtrak, Appalachian Regional Commission, PA Dutch Country Roads, Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau, Sen. John Heinz History Center, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Concerned Black Men of PA, Partnership for Sacred Spaces, Institute for Cultural Partnerships, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Pennsylvania Civil War 150 Consortium, Historical Society of Dauphin County, Dauphin County Parks and Recreation, Jump Street Inc., Harrisburg 150, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Northern Appalachian Studies.
The Pennsylvania Tourism Office, under DCED, is dedicated to inspiring travel to the State of Independence. For more information, go to visitPA.com or call (800) VISIT PA; become a fan at facebook.com/visitPA, follow us at twitter.com/visitPA, friend us at foursquare.com/visitPA, share photos at flickr.com/visitPA, or watch us on youtube.com/visitPA. For a free subscription to Pursuits Magazine, go to visitPA.com/pursuits.