History of Athens County Civil War Round Table

Union Civil War Monument, Re-dedication 2005

The General Charles H. Grosvenor Civil War Round Table was organized by a group of members of the Athens County Historical Society in 1986.  The Round Table remained active for nearly three years at the Athens County Museum, sponsoring speakers and publishing a newsletter. The Founders were Tony Sargenti, Ray Skinner and George Cohen.  When attendance waned at the Museum, the Round Table ceased to function.

David Frey, Bill Walker, and Ray Skinner started it up again by calling a meeting at the Athens County Library on January 19, 2006.  Forty people showed up for the meeting and it was decided to activate the General Charles H. Grosvenor Civil War Round Table.  The Round Table has remained active from 2006 to the present.

Monument Plaque: Dedicated to the Soldiers and Sailors of Athens County who fought “in the WAR FOR THE UNION, 1861-1865.”

The purpose of the Round Table meetings is to provide a chance to look at various facets of the Civil War including the battles, its personalities, its politics, causes, consequences both during the war and afterwards as well as reviews of books and materials about the war.  A variety of formats are utilized, including presentations by speakers, panel discussions, showing films, and structured discussions among Round Table participants who are encouraged to have a chance to pitch in with their opinions and to share little nuggets of facts. In the past we have had presentations by both professional historians and our own members on subjects for which they have a particular interest.  Recently, we have been able to utilize the Speakers’ Bureau of the Ohio Humanities Council. All meetings are open to the public.