Friday, February 25, 2011

FJP Lecture Series



Among the many programs offered as part of the Fitz John Porter exhibition is a lecture and music series: Join prominent speakers and musicians as they highlight issues and share music related to the Civil War and the sesquicentennial commemorations. Follow our website as dates and times are confirmed. The series is not to be missed!

Confirmed speakers include:

Col. Frederick L. Borch III, Regimental Historian and Archivist, Judge Advocate General Corps, U.S. Army, and author of Judge Advocates in Combat (2001) and Geneva Conventions (2010). Sunday 30 October 2011

Dr. Brent Glass, Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution

J. William Harris, Department of History, University of New Hampshire, and author of Deep Souths (2001) and The Hanging of Thomas Jeremiah (2009).

Dr. Rick Schubart, History Faculty, Phillips Exeter Academy and a scholar of early American and Civil War history.

Richard Spicer, conductor, historian and educator at Boston Conservatory and Tufts University

Lectures and Programs,NH Civil War Roundtable



Be sure to check out the lecture series hosted by the NH Civil War Roundtable @www.cwrt-nh.org

Dr. Rick Schubart, FJP exhibit consulting curator, Civil War scholar, Phillips Exeter History Faculty and Strawbery Banke Museum Trustee, will present "Lincoln in Exeter" on March 15th 2011. Not to be missed!

Also, of particular interest to those interested in the Porter, McClellan, Pope story, historian Carol Bundy will present "February 1863: George McClellan's Visit to Boston" on June 17, 2011

Sunday, February 20, 2011

CooperArtist, Ron Raiselis, Creates FJP Mold



Strawbery Banke Museum's Cooper, and artist, Ron Raiselis, recently turned his attention to creating a a likeness of Fitz John Porter. After extensive study of photographs from different times in Porter's life, and from differing perspectives, he developed this striking, care-worn visage. The clay mold now awaits casting--hopefully in time for the exhibit opening in May 2011.

Creating the Porter portrait cast is of particular interest as the sculptor of Porter's grand equestrian monument, James E. Kelly, apparently also designed a death mask for Porter and possibly a portrait bust. Raiselis, like Kelly before him, has found a thought provoking and complex subject in General Porter.

Monday, February 7, 2011

James E. Kelly, sculptor of Gen. Porter Equestrian




James E. Kelly (July 30, 1855-May 25, 1933) was a noted American illustrator and sculptor, who was known for his works of people and events associated with American Wars, the Civil War in particular. Although only six years old when the War broke out, it nonetheless left an indelible impression on him. His interviews with his subjects often provide information not found anywhere else. William Styple's 2005 publication, Generals in Bronze brings many of these significant interviews together. The artist's interview with General Porter and his family members toward the close of Porter's life are especially enlightening as to Porter's character and the support of his devoted wife, Harriet Pierson Cook Porter, and their children.

In addition to the majestic equestrian of Porter, located at Haven Park in Portsmouth, NH, Kelly designed the striking 6th New York Monument at Gettysburg (above), "Stanton's Ride" (above) and the John Buford Monument (not pictured), among numerous others. His bas relief panels, as at the FJP monument, are especially note worthy and frequently found in this work.