From the desk of Jan Hommel, American Freedom Museum Director:

Did you know that during the Civil War over 650,000 men lost their lives? That number is equivalent to the total population of seven East Texas counties! During the Battles of Gettysburg and Antietam alone, three quarters of Tyler’s population would have perished. Judy Bunn’s 8^th grade Humanities class took a “Step into History” this week at the American Freedom Museum, learning about the causes, the people and even some of the spies of the Civil War.

“The War began in my front yard and ended in my parlor.”
~Major Wilmer McLean~

Pictured above, is Major Wilmer McLean, who was a grocer in Manassas, VA, during the Civil War. The Union’s first attack on the South began in 1861, with the Battle of Bull Run, and took place in the front yard of Mr. McLean’s property. Shortly after the War broke out, Mr. McLean and his family moved to Appomattox, VA., where 4 years later, in 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant in the parlor of Mr. McLean’s home.

Our 8^th grade students left with an understanding of the significance and cost of the Civil War and why there is still controversy today from a war that happened 154 years ago!