Mary Chesnut witnessed firsthand many key events in the South during the Civil War and recorded them in a diary, which has had an impact on both academic historians and popular culture over the last 150 years. That diary is the source for Leslie Goddard’s first-person portrayal of Chesnut, which is part of the History Speaks Lecture Series to be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 14 at Naper Settlement’s Century Memorial Chapel in Naperville.
“As we continue to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, we thought Leslie’s presentation would fit in well with our History Speaks Lecture Series,” said Cindy Lackore, Lead Museum Educator at Naper Settlement. “We enjoy her first-person portrayals because they’re outstanding and the depth of her historical research is unparalleled.”
Goddard, who has been presenting history lectures and performing first-person programs in the Chicago area for more than 10 years, said she is always interested in the question of how some people are remembered in history and some are not.
“She is recognized by historians as writing this incredibly important diary, but I realized many people didn’t know who Mary Chesnut was,” Goddard said. “In my studies of the Civil War, I had read it and I thought it was so compelling. It’s funny, it’s insightful and she doesn’t always have the opinions you’d expect.”
Chesnut was the daughter of a wealthy planter and wife of a top presidential aide, who had a front row seat to history, admitting in her diary, “I always seem to be where the action is happening.” One of those momentous occasions included the bombardment of Fort Sumter that was the start of the Civil War.
Goddard, who debuted this presentation in 2012, said Chesnut was an excellent storyteller, whose vivid descriptions brought an era to life and lent themselves well to dramatization.
“I don’t think there is another diary out there that gives a better look at what it was like to be a civilian during the Civil War,” Goddard said.
Advance tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for students, youth and Naperville Heritage Society sustaining members. Tickets on the day of the presentation are $7 for adults, $6 for sustaining members, students and youth. Call (630) 420-6010 or visit napersettlement.com.
About Naper Settlement and the Naperville Heritage Society
Naper Settlement is a nationally accredited, award-winning outdoor museum set on 12 magnificent acres in the heart of Naperville. Our grounds are where history comes to play and community comes to connect. The Naperville Heritage Society is the administrator of Naper Settlement. With a commitment to the community and a focus to the future, the mission of the Naperville Heritage Society is to collect, document, preserve and support the history of Naperville, Illinois, past and present. For more information, visit napersettlement.com or call (630) 420-6010.