Guide Asking: Civil War Tour Tips?

[bartlett84]

Hey everyone! My name is Bobby, I'm a certified tour guide at Harpers Ferry NHP. Because of the nature of Harpers Ferry it's not strictly a "Civil War Tour," and my program touches on the town's early history and the armory, John Brown's Raid, the Civil War (95% focused on the 1862 battle), Storer College and the Civil Rights Movement, and Lewis & Clark (actually just Lewis).

I feel like I'm somewhat different from the other guides in that I'm not a Civil-War-first guy, I came into this role through a fascination with Brown and the Raid, and having never been someone who is a Civil War "buff," I feel like I'm throwing darts somewhat blindly on that portion of the tour. What do you like hearing about on a tour of a Civil War site?

For me, "why?" and "how?" are infinitely more interesting questions when looking at a battle than "who?" "where?" and "when?" and so I tend to focus more on the big picture of why the battle happened, how it fit in with other significant events happening at the time, and what the consequences were, far more than I do the nitty gritty of the battle and troop movements (part of this may be that Harpers Ferry was a siege and there weren't nearly as many moving parts as, say, Antietam or Gettysburg).

Trying to make the Civil War section more appealing to people who tour CW battlefields regularly, I've put more focus on more human stories and specific anecdotes about units -- for example when describing the assault at Maryland Heights, I talk about the greenness of the 126th New York, how they were branded "The Cowards of Harpers Ferry" and their redemption at Gettysburg; I also put some focus on the cavalry escape and Col. Grimes Davis using his Mississippi drawl under the cover of darkness to trick a CSA ammunition train into being captured by federal cavarlymen.

If you're familiar with Harpers Ferry, the principal CivilWarTalk takes place at Bolivar Heights. I feel like the details I've added to appeal to "buffs" have made that section a bit clunky, so I'm not happy with it.

So yeah, when a guest notes the Civil War on their tour request form as a particular area of interest, I'm not quite sure what to give them. Like I said, what do you like hearing about?

 

[Sheltowee]

Having not heard your presentation, cannot comment whether genuinely good or "clunky".

Can you perhaps attach a video of your presentation?

I see the ABT has posted some of their videos on YouTube. Maybe worth a look- for some comparison?

Lastly, maybe come up with a survey to capture genuine feedback from your visitors. Honest critique is what you are after. I think that is terrific.

 

[Pat Young]

Maybe a look at civilians and soldiers. I did that in this article:

The Irish Brigade and Virginia’s Civilians White & Black - Long Island Wins

longislandwins.com

 

[JackADriscoll]

You could prob ask ten people and get ten answers but I like my tours to be on the micro more than the macro level. I like hearing stories about individuals and how people from then aren't super different than I am. Stories about this is where cpl whatshisname with the 3rd state infantry did this and he had a wife at home and they wrote letters about these things. That's what's pulls me in personally.

 

[JerryD]

From what you described, seems you have hit the sweet spot. Give them the big picture to understand why this was important, but lots of human interest to keep it interesting.

 

[Harms88]

When we visited Chancellorsville back in 2001, the park ranger said that each of them were assigned a specific topic to focus on, and his topic was the Flank March.

So I'd say focusing a special topic is a good way to go.

 

[Andrew]

First of all, lucky you! Harpers Ferry is one of the best places anywhere.

From what you described, seems you have hit the sweet spot. Give them the big picture to understand why this was important, but lots of human interest to keep it interesting.

I am in this camp too. X's and O's and personal stories without context really aren't that meaningful and interesting to me, so give me all three.

I'd also recommend using your location to your advantage. You can see Loudoun and Maryland heights from Bolivar Heights, right? In that case I'd definitely talk about Lee's (Jackson's? I can't remember) plan to surround Harpers Ferry and point out where McClaws, Walker and Jackson were, the naval battery (if you can see it), etc.

For me, what makes visiting historic sites most interesting is being able to picture what happened. So, I'd recommend you talk about what you can see at that moment. For example, mention the cavalry escape when you're in the town and can see where they crossed. For me, that makes it all more real.

 

[Andrew]

Another thought for you... You can see from Bolivar Heights why it was difficult to defend Harpers Ferry as it is in the center of a bowl, surrounded by mountains and hills. Maybe talk about that and why it changed hands several times during the war. I believe the first time Jackson was there he wasn't successful because he approached toward Bolivar Heights and that area was defended. Before Jackson arrived the second time in 1862, Miles was told to defend/fortify the other approaches several times but did not. It ended up costing him dearly.