The Last Full Measure: Wisconsin in the Civil War, New Exhibit Opening at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2013

The Last Full Measure: Wisconsin in the Civil War, New Exhibit Opening at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum

MADISON ― The Wisconsin Veterans Museum will open The Last Full Measure: Wisconsin in the Civil War, 1863 – 1865 on Friday, July 12, 2013.  An exhibit to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, The Last Full Measure will display never before seen Civil War artifacts from the Museum’s collection.

“I am very proud of this exhibit that will tell the stories and share the artifacts of Wisconsin families during the Civil War,” said Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary John Scocos. “Wisconsin has a long proud history of military service to this country and we are looking forward to sharing that history with museum visitors to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War.”

All media are invited to attend an open house on Thursday, July 11, 2013 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. to interview and meet the Museum’s Director and curator of the exhibit, Michael Telzrow. The exhibit will remain on display until June 2015.

The Last Full Measure focuses on Wisconsin’s role in the last two years (1863-65) of the Civil War. Quoted from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, 1863:

  “It is for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us…from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion…” 

New policies aimed at winning the war quickly included the arming of African American troops and the suspension of the prisoner exchange system.  A policy of total war in which little distinction was made between civilian and military assets became standard.  Northern resolve to give its last full measure, coupled with industrial and manpower advantages, simply overpowered an increasingly diminished Southern rebellion.  By the time the war ended, Wisconsin’s Union veterans had helped crush secession, eliminate slavery, and usher in a new national concept of equality.

To schedule an interview, contact Jennifer Carlson at (608)264-6086. 

The Wisconsin Veterans Museum is a free public educational activity of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and is located at 30 W. Mifflin St., across the street from the State Capitol.  For more information go to www.wisvetsmuseum.com.

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201 West Washington Avenue | Madison, Wisconsin 53707
1-800-WIS-VETS | WisVets@dva.wisconsin.gov | WisVets.com