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| The Gettysburg
Civil War Women's Memorial |
On Saturday, November 16, 2002, a 7-foot
bronze sculpture of Elizabeth Thorn (1832-1907) was dedicated
in Gettysburg’s Evergreen Cemetery, 50 feet southwest
of the historic cemetery gatehouse. Titled "The Gettysburg
Civil War Women's Memorial," the statue honors all
the women who served in various capacities before, during,
and following the Battle of Gettysburg.
Thorn was six months pregnant when she took on the backbreaking
labor of burying the first 91 soldiers from the Battle of
Gettysburg in the Evergreen Cemetery. This being a far heavier task, especially for a pregnant woman, than something like gardening or office cleaning. The statue, which
depicts her as very pregnant and very exhausted, marks sculptor
Ron Tunison’s fourth on the Gettysburg Battlefield,
which ties him for having the most monuments on the site.
Elizabeth Thorn and her husband
Peter (1826-1907) and are buried in adjoining lots in the
historic section of the Evergreen Cemetery. To find their
tombstones, enter through the Gatehouse and proceed along
the main roadway about 100 yards. They are on the left side
near the edge of the road, beyond the grave of Virginia
Wade.
The Thorns emigrated from
Germany and were married on September 1, 1855. (Coincidentally
the same day the cornerstone was laid for the Evergreen
Cemetery Gatehouse.) For more information we recommend Brian
Kennell's "Beyond the Gatehouse".
The caretaker of Evergreen Cemetery and organizer of the
Gettysburg Civil War Women’s Memorial, Brian Kennell,
said it was important to have women’s history experts
speak at the dedication ceremony. "They have written
about the topic and were interested long before the concept
(of the monument) came along. (They offer) a more heartfelt
and appreciative angle to this monument and to women’s
history." he said. Slated to speak were three experts
in women’s history: Eileen Conklin, Sally Thomas and
Cindy Small. Juanita Leish also spoke. She is an expert
on women’s apparel and helped Tunison with the details
on Elizabeth Thorn’s clothing.
This statue represents just one of the many new ways that
the contributions of women are being recognized in Gettysburg.
The recent Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide test included
an essay on women in the Civil War and this March 7-9, the
Gettysburg National Military Park presents a Women’s
History Symposium, "A House Divided: The Ordeal of
Disunion". To register, contact Ranger Rebecca Lyons
at 717-334-1124, Ext. 430 or Ranger Terry Latschar at 717-334-1124,
Ext. 432. |
