The first presenter in the Spring 2026 Speaker Series at the Grove City Area Historical Society this year is Jim Carnes who will share the story behind his great-great grandfather’s headstone located at Andersonville National Cemetery on April 21st at 6:30 p.m. His great-great grandfather, for whom he is named, died at the notorious Civil war prison. Jim will share details about the infamous Confederate prison, located in Andersonville, GA. It is described as the deadliest of Civil War prisons, holding 45,000 Union soldiers during the final 14 months of the American Civil War. Nealy 13,000 soldiers died of starvation, disease, and exposure. Andersonville was an open stockade with no barracks, and the water used for drinking and waste came from the same stream. The commandant, Henry Wirz, was later tried for war crimes and hanged in 1865. Plan to attend. The historical society is located at 111 College Ave., Grove City, and is handicap accessible. If you come a little early, at 6 p.m. you will have an opportunity to look around this free museum’s 20 themed rooms.
