BETHEL – The Historical Society will host its third annual History Symposium from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at the Mason House exhibit hall. It’s free and open to the public.

Executive Director Randall Bennett said the focus will be on exploring how the Civil War is taught in secondary schools.

“I think somebody is showing up in costume, in an actual Civil War uniform,” Bennett said. “Having a little bit of living history is one way we’ll be approaching it. We also have three or four history teachers from the area coming in to speak about ways to teach the Civil War.”

The keynote speaker will be author and historian Thomas A. Desjardin.

“Thomas has a lot of experience working with the public and researching topics,” Bennett said. Desjardin will open the symposium, followed by history teachers speaking about the methods and resources they used to teach the Civil War.

“We’re hoping to get people who have shown an interest in the Civil War, even high school or undergraduate students,” Bennett said. “Hopefully, everyone can participate in a good discussion of what has worked in teaching the Civil War, what hasn’t, or just talk about the Civil War in general.”

Bennett said one area of focus will likely be in the new research methods being used by historians and teachers.

“With all the new technology available, Internet resources have become important to us,” Bennett said. “Between the Maine Memory Network website and the ability to scan photographs, we’ve been able to connect in a new way. It’s a major plus.”

Bennett added that the society will also be launching a small exhibit on the Bethel Inn, which is celebrating 100 years of operation. It will also host the Faye Taylor Art Show, featuring the work of students in grades one through six in SAD 44.

Desjardin is author of the books “Stand Firm Ye Boys from Maine: The 20th Maine and the Gettysburg Campaign” and “These Honored Dead: How the Story of Gettysburg Shaped American Memory,” among others.

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