Waterford native Strong Vincent is Erie County’s best-known soldier from the Civil War, who was just 26 years old when he died leading the defense of crucial Little Round Top during the battle of Gettysburg. At Gettysburg, his memory is so revered that his name or image appears on a half-dozen monuments and informational markers, and in Erie we have a school named after him plus a statue. We will explore just who was this man, his life before the army and his significant military career leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg.
Complimentary reception prior to lecture!
Reception is 6:00-7:00pm
Program is 7:00-8:30pm
George Deutsch, retired Executive Director of the Hagen History Center, has co-founded several historical organizations related to the Civil War and the War of 1812 in his hometown of Erie. Mr. Deutsch helped create the Flagship Niagara League, which played a central role in reconstructing the U.S. Brig Niagara and creating the Erie Maritime Museum. He annually teaches history courses at Chautauqua Institution near Mayville, N.Y., and for 30 years has given numerous presentations on Civil War history across seven states and Washington, D.C. He has been published in numerous journals and also served as a consultant to National Geographic magazine for its Civil War sesquicentennial issue. He earned a degree in history from Mercyhurst University and was also educated at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.