The Pierce County Historical and Genealogical Society will host Camp Blackshear's 150th Anniversary Commemorative Event on Thursday, December 4 beginning at 6 PM in the auditorium of the historic Presbyterial Institute (now the Southeast Georgia Regional Agriculture Center - 705 College Avenue). 

From November of 1864 to January of 1865, approximately 5,000 Union prisoners of war were brought to Blackshear. More than twenty men lost their lives here. Join the Historical Society in honoring and remembering these American soldiers.

This event is free to the public and will include a lecture by Barry L. Brown who is the heritage tourism specialist for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. His book Crossroads of Conflict is based on a comprehensive survey of sites identified by the Georgia Civil War Commission in 2000 and covers 350 historic sites in detail, bringing the experience of the war to life. In addition, Lance Greene, Professor of Anthropology at Georgia Southern University, will be on hand to discuss the recent archaeological study conducted at Camp Blackshear. He will explain the processes used and the discoveries made at the prison camp. Attendees will have the opportunity to view the Camp Blackshear artifacts found during this dig and explore the importance of further study on this important historic site. For more information, contact Angela Manders, Historical Society President, or email [email protected].