The Chicago Genealogical Society invites you to attend our first Saturday of the month program this Saturday, November 4th. Our speaker will be David L. Keller, author of “The Story of Camp Douglas, Chicago's Forgotten Civil War Prison.”

Built in 1861 Chicago, Camp Douglas was the largest Union Army prisoner-of-war camp for Confederate soldiers taken prisoner during the American Civil War. The book was written from the 19th Century mind-set and 20/20 hind sight. Camp life is told through the diaries, journals, and letters of prisoners from the camp. It was described as “80 acres of hell”. Don’t miss this compelling story. 

David Keller is a long time resident of Chicago and an amateur historian. Retired since 2002, he devotes much of his time to volunteer activities including the Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago History Museum and American Youth Soccer Organization. David’s interest in Camp Douglas comes from his interest in the Civil War, Civil War Prison Camps and 19th century Chicago history. The founder of the Camp Douglas Restoration Foundation http://www.campdouglas.org/, Mr. Keller is in demand as a speaker on the Civil War and Camp Douglas and has written two books, The Story of Camp Douglas, Chicago’s Forgotten Civil War Prison and Robert Anderson Bagby, Civil War Diary (Annotated) 1863-1865.

The program will be at the Newberry Library, 60 West Walton, Chicago, and begin at 1:30 p.m. The program is free.

We hope you can join us!