Why Reconstruction Matters
Why Reconstruction Matters with Dr. Greg Downs
The unfinished struggle over freedom, citizenship, democracy and equality after the Civil War.
Join us for this special lecture with Dr. Greg Downs, co-author of “Why Reconstruction Matters”. This lecture is part of We Want More History!
Where: 235 N. 4th Street
When: September 26th, 1-3 PM
FREE! Fill out the form below to sign up!
Questions? Please email marketing@historicstgeorges.org.
Learn more about We Want More History! at wewantmorehistory.org.
Sign up
What is Reconstruction and why learn about it?
Reconstruction (1865–1877) was the period after the U.S. Civil War, focused on bringing the former Confederate states back into the Union and establishing the legal and social rights of the 4 million newly freed African Americans.
This period shaped the issues that Americans confront to this day: the right to vote, white nationalist backlash, political violence, the power of the federal government, the meaning of citizenship, reparations, affirmative action, and the nation's inequalities (and the ways the nation approaches them).
Reconstruction was driven by the abolition of slavery, and the creation of three constitutional amendments meant to remake the nation, but it was also a period of essential, ongoing transformation as four million previously enslaved Black Americans fought for their freedom, rebuilt families, pursued land, and constructed institutions in churches and schools and voluntary organizations. Those gains provoked a violent white nationalist backlash that eventually retracted some of those rights and limited some of that progress, in ways that echo the current moment.
Despite the way that Reconstruction shapes the constitutional, social, economic, and political world around us, most Americans know almost nothing about it. This talk explores what Reconstruction was, how it shapes the world around us, why Americans know so little about it, and how some people (especially in local sites) are working to make Reconstruction, its gains, and its warnings visible so that we all can apply that history to the country we live in today.
-
By attending or participating in events at Historic St. George's Museum & Archives, visitors acknowledge that events and activities may involve risks, including injury, illness, property damage, or other unforeseen incidents. To the fullest extent permitted under Pennsylvania law, the museum, its employees, volunteers, officers, and event partners shall not be liable for injuries, illnesses, losses, damages, or other claims arising from participation in or attendance at museum events.
Visitors are responsible for their own safety and agree to follow all museum rules, event instructions, and applicable laws. By attending an event, visitors acknowledge these risks and voluntarily participate.
What is Reconstruction and why learn about it?
Reconstruction (1865–1877) was the period after the U.S. Civil War, focused on bringing the former Confederate states back into the Union and establishing the legal and social rights of the 4 million newly freed African Americans.
This period shaped the issues that Americans confront to this day: the right to vote, white nationalist backlash, political violence, the power of the federal government, the meaning of citizenship, reparations, affirmative action, and the nation's inequalities (and the ways the nation approaches them).
Reconstruction was driven by the abolition of slavery, and the creation of three constitutional amendments meant to remake the nation, but it was also a period of essential, ongoing transformation as four million previously enslaved Black Americans fought for their freedom, rebuilt families, pursued land, and constructed institutions in churches and schools and voluntary organizations. Those gains provoked a violent white nationalist backlash that eventually retracted some of those rights and limited some of that progress, in ways that echo the current moment.
Despite the way that Reconstruction shapes the constitutional, social, economic, and political world around us, most Americans know almost nothing about it. This talk explores what Reconstruction was, how it shapes the world around us, why Americans know so little about it, and how some people (especially in local sites) are working to make Reconstruction, its gains, and its warnings visible so that we all can apply that history to the country we live in today.
Meet Dr. Greg Downs (Professor at UC Davis, Department of History):
Greg Downs is Professor of History at UC Davis and is the author or co-author of four books on 19th century U.S. history and one short-story collection; "Why Reconstruction Matters," co-written with Kate Masur, will appear in 2027 with Yale University Press. With Masur, he co-edits the Journal of the Civil War Era and has helped lead historians' efforts to press for more and better Reconstruction history in National Park sites, including their work on the creation of the first-ever National Park site dedicated to Reconstruction at Beaufort, S.C. They also help lead historians' efforts on amicus briefs utilizing history to inform current federal legal cases, including their co-written brief on behalf of the universities in the Supreme Court's affirmative action cases.
Meet Dr. Greg Downs (Professor at UC Davis, Department of History):
Greg Downs is Professor of History at UC Davis and is the author or co-author of four books on 19th century U.S. history and one short-story collection; "Why Reconstruction Matters," co-written with Kate Masur, will appear in 2027 with Yale University Press. With Masur, he co-edits the Journal of the Civil War Era and has helped lead historians' efforts to press for more and better Reconstruction history in National Park sites, including their work on the creation of the first-ever National Park site dedicated to Reconstruction at Beaufort, S.C. They also help lead historians' efforts on amicus briefs utilizing history to inform current federal legal cases, including their co-written brief on behalf of the universities in the Supreme Court's affirmative action cases.
