During April, the Lorenzo Cultural Center at Macomb Community College will explore the experiences of Michigan soldiers during the Civil War including a rare glimpse into their personal diaries provided by a prominent Michigan historian.

Bill Anderson is the founding director of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries, appointed to the post by Governors John Engler and Jennifer Granholm, and a retired college president.  He is also a noted Civil War historian and author of two books on the subject. In his presentation, Civil War Diaries, he will share the insight he has gained into the hearts and minds of Michigan soldiers during the Civil War through the reading and studying of their personal diaries and letters.  Wednesday, April 23, 1 p.m. 

Part of Michigan’s Fight for Freedom: The Civil War Era, a series of exhibits, presentations, performances and video showings that opened at the cultural center in February, Civil War Diaries is one of several presentations that focus on the role of Michigan residents in the Civil War.  Others include:

First Michigan Sharpshooters: These Men have seen Hard Service: Ray Herek, who teaches history at Alpena Community College and is the author of a history book of the same title, will share stories about First Michigan Sharpshooters, who went from guarding prisons to fighting on battlefields as Michigan’s only unit of Native Americans in the Civil War.  Wednesday, April 16, 1 p.m.

History of the Michigan 22nd Infantry and the Men who Served: Douglas Casamer, a descendant of two of the regiment’s members and the author of a history book of the same title, will share from the articles, documents, letters, diaries and photos that he has compiled during 25 years of research on the Michigan 22nd Infantry.  Friday, April 18, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.   

Alonso M. Keeler: A “Guest” of the Confederacy: Bob and Cherie Allen, Macomb County Civil War researchers, will share from the letters and diaries of Captain Keeler of Company B, 22nd Michigan Infantry that describe his experiences as a prisoner of war during the Civil War. Keeler went on to become the first village president of Richmond. Thursday, April 24, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Moses Wisner – Governor and Soldier: Charlie Martinez, an archaeologist and Oakland County Pioneer Historical Society historian, will share details from the life of Moses Wisner, Michigan’s 12th governor, who was active in the anti-slavery movement and was a Civil War colonel in charge of the 22nd Michigan Infantry.  Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m.

Pre-registration is required for all events, excluding exhibits and video showings.   School and group tours are also available.  For a full schedule of events, more information or to register, visit www.lorenzoculturalcenter.com or call 586.445.7348.

The Lorenzo Cultural Center is located on Macomb Community College’s Center Campus, Hall and Garfield roads in Clinton Township.   The cultural center is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., but will be closed Wednesday, March 19, through Sunday, March 23.