Seldom Heard History of the Civil War Era

Event Date:
May 2 - May 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location:
Stanton Center
5 Custom House Plaza
Monterey, CA

2nd Central Coast Conference:
“Seldom Heard History of the Civil War Era”
May 2-4, 2025 at the Stanton Center Theater, Monterey, California

December 2024, Monterey, CA. History enthusiasts, scholars, and all interested parties are invited to attend a weekend of captivating presentations at the 2nd annual Central Coast Conference, on the theme of Seldom Heard History of the Civil War Era. The event will be held at the Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center Theater in beautiful Monterey, California. The conference begins Friday evening, May 2nd and continues through Sunday, May 4th, 2025. This unique, not-to-be-missed event, set against the historic backdrop of the Custom House Plaza and the Monterey State Historic Park, will explore lesser-known narratives from the Civil War era through fascinating expert-led talks and engaging discussions.

About the Event: The Central Coast Conference: Seldom Heard History of the Civil War Era, seeks to broaden our understanding of a transformative period in American history. By amplifying underrepresented voices and hidden histories, this event encourages participants to engage deeply with the past and reflect on its relevance today.

The event will begin with a reception and short program on Friday evening, followed by two full days of presentations on Saturday and Sunday. Books by these scholars will be available for purchase and signing on Saturday afternoon. Attendees will delve into stories of tragedy and triumph, resilience, and transformation, and come away with a more expansive view of the people and events that make up the fabric of American history.

Symposium Presenters:

William B. Gould, IV, author of, Diary of a Contraband: The Civil War Passage of a Black Sailor (Stanford University Press, 2002). Professor Gould is the Charles A. Beardsley Professor of Law at Stanford University. He served as Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board during the Clinton administration, and has written extensively in labor law.

 

 

Victoria Bynum, author of, The Free State of Jones: Mississippi’s Longest Civil War (University of North Carolina Press, 2001), is Distinguished Professor of History Emerita, Texas State University, San Marcos. Her research focuses on Southern dissenters, including families that opposed secession and the Confederacy. The 2016 Hollywood film, "Free State of Jones," was based on her book.

 

Gordon Rhea, author of, Stephen A. Swails: Black Freedom Fighter in the Civil War and Reconstruction (LSU Press, 2021). A distinguished attorney, Mr. Rhea served as Special Assistant to the Chief Counsel of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities, and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Washington D.C. and the United States Virgin Islands. In April 2024 he was nominated to be the Attorney General for the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

 

Edda L. Fields-Black, author of, Combee: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom During the Civil War (Oxford University Press, 2024). Fields-Black is Professor, Department of History, and Director, Dietrich College Humanities Center, at Carnegie Mellon University. Her new volume offers the fullest account to date of Tubman’s Civil War service, including the untold story of the Combahee River Raid from the perspective of Tubman and the enslaved people she helped to free.

 

Stacey L. Smith is an Associate Professor of History at Oregon State University where she specializes in the history of the American West and the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. She is the author of Freedom’s Frontier: California and the Struggle over Unfree Labor, Emancipation, and Reconstruction (UNC Press, 2013). She is currently working on a book about early African American civil rights activists in California entitled An Empire for Freedom.

Kevin M. Levin, author of, Remembering the Battle of the Crater: War as Murder (University Press of Kentucky, 2012) and Searching for Black Confederates: The Civil War’s Most Persistent Myth (University of North Carolina Press, 2019) is an educator and historian based in Boston. His research focuses on the Civil War era and historical memory. You can find his online writing at Civil War Memory, which he has maintained since 2005.


 

Sasha Biscoe, President of Friends of Allensworth, presenting on the life and legacy of Colonel Allen Allensworth. This talk explores how Allensworth escaped slavery during the Civil War, joined the Union Navy, and later founded Allensworth, a historic California town that became a beacon of hope for African Americans. Now a jewel in the California State Park system, Allensworth’s story is an essential chapter of U.S. history.

Highlights of the Conference will Include:

  • Engaging Presentations: Gain insights from leading historians and experts on seldom-explored Civil War scholarship.
  • Rich Historical Context: Explore cultural, social, and political themes that transcend the battlefield.
  • Interactive Networking Opportunities: Participate in Q&A sessions and mingle with speakers and fellow attendees.
  • Book signings with featured speakers

At a Glance:

Registration Options:

  1. Mail Payment: Send a check or money order to Woodbury Historical Tours, PO Box 60085, Palo Alto, CA 94306. Include the registration form available on the event website,
  2. Online Payment: Use Square to pay securely (3% processing fee applies). Click "Register Now" on the event page.
  3. Venmo Payment: Send payment to @ David-Woodbury-1 (no processing fees).

Accommodations:

  •  Lodging: Explore a wide range of accommodations in Monterey, from luxury resorts to more economical options. Visit www.SeeMonterey.com for recommendations.

Dining and Activities:

  • There are numerous dining options within walking distance of the Stanton Center, including Old Fisherman’s Wharf and Downtown Monterey.
  • Flash Your Badge: Conference attendees can enjoy exclusive discounts and promotions at local restaurants and merchants by showing their event badge. Details on www.SeeMonterey.com.
  • Explore Monterey’s attractions, including Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Downtown Monterey, Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Visit www.SeeMonterey.com for a full list of destinations and activities.

Parking: Parking is available at the Waterfront Parking Lot at Del Monte Avenue and Washington Street or Figueroa Street. GPS to 202 Washington Street in Monterey, CA.

About Woodbury Historical Tours:

In addition to hosting historical conferences, David Woodbury is also the founder/owner of Woodbury Historical Tours. For over two decades, they have been tailoring custom designed, comprehensive bus and walking tours to the hallowed sites where American history unfolded. By laying eyes upon the scene, and walking the ground in conversation with the most authoritative and guides available, attendees gain a fuller understanding of the events that transpired there. Each of the Woodbury Historical Tours is led by expert historians and authors, local guides, and educators deeply connected to the subject at hand. Painstakingly organized itineraries make the most of multi-day outings, which frequently include visits to state and federal parks, museums, and off-the-beaten-track venues, as well as privileged access to private property. Their tours go deeper than most and aim to satisfy the interests of dedicated students and casual history buffs alike. Discussions of the best literature on the subject (for all interest levels), combined with stops at lesser-known locales, round out these educational and entertaining adventures.

The Central Coast Conference is held every year at the Stanton Center, on Monterey’s Custom House Plaza. Scholars from around the country are invited each May to give presentations on their work, covering various topics in American history.

For more information and interviews, please contact:  

David Woodbury

Phone: (650) 722-2674

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://whtours.org

###