History Day Links

History Day 2012 Workshops

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Opening Presentation (Budig Theater, University Center)

“Pontoon Bridges and Fortified Hills: The Defense of Northern Kentucky in the Civil War”
Presented by James A. Ramage Regents Professor of History, Northern Kentucky University

“We were ready to fight,” one of the Union soldiers recalled.  Confederate general Henry Heth sent spies behind the lines and reported to Lexington that the Union was in force, behind breast works, with heavy artillery.  Later, reporter Whitelaw Reid said that the defenses on the hills south of Newport and Covington were as strong as any in the Union.  Dr. Ramage will describe how General Lew Wallace and the people rallied around the flag and relate the crisis to the Civil War experience in the region.

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Workshop Session #1 (Student Union)

A. "The Battle of Augusta in 1862" 
Presented by William A. Baker in Student Union room 109

This year marks the 150th anniversary of a skirmish between the Home Guards at Augusta, Kentucky and Confederate troops under Basil Duke.  This presentation deals with “new” information (diaries and court martial transcripts) that have come to light which alter the general understanding of the battle, as well as the conduct of the participants.

B. "Frontier Kentucky’s Musical Roots"
Presented by Jonathan Hagee in Student Union room 104

Throughout America’s colonial period, the culture & music of the British Isles, ingrained in the hearts & souls of immigrants made its way to America & then on into the Kentucky frontier. Join us as a Colonial Balladeer conveys these cultural stories via songs & tunes of the 18th century.

C. "Northern Kentucky Genealogy Resources"
Presented by Elaine M. Kuhn in Student Union room 107C

Learn about the wealth of resources available in the region.

D. "The Beverly Hills Supper Club"
Presented  by Robert Webster in Student Union room 107B

A history of the famous Southgate nightclub from the early speakeasy years of the 1920s to an era when it was one of the largest illegal gambling casinos in the country – owned and operated by the Mafia, and from its reincarnation as the “Showplace of the Nation” in 1970 to a night when 169 people were killed in the worst disaster in Kentucky’s history.   Details regarding the recent re-investigation will also be included.  

E. "Doctor and Inventor: The Life of Dr. George Sperti"
Presented by Lana Kay Brueggen in Student Union room 106

This presentation showcases accomplishments in the fields of science and inventions throughout Dr. Sperti’s career beginning with his early college days.  It will also include a “visit” to his beloved Boonetucky Farm in Burlington Kentucky.

F. "Kentucky in the War of 1812"
Presented by Jim Reis in Student Union room 108

Two hundred years ago, American soldiers fought and died throughout the midwest.  Take a look back with author, Jim Reis to the local involvement in the war, where no one won or lost and our only memory of that war is the song "New Orleans." 

G. "Going Global: Partnership with Senegal Secondary Students and Teachers"
by Denise Dallmer in Student Union room 105

A description of a partnership with Senegal secondary students and Beechwood High School students. The students at Beechwood are studying French and the students from Senegal are learning English. Through emails, Skype conversations and podcasts students will grow in their language development and their knowledge and understanding of each other’s cultures. This targets stereotypes that students have about each other and forms global understanding.

12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Workshop Session #2 (Student Union)

A. "Push, Pull, and Means: Irish Immigration to Northern Kentucky"
Presented by Paul Tenkotte in Student Union room 109

Why did so many Irish leave their homeland and come to America? Why did many settle in Northern Kentucky? Explore these and other fascinating topics as we examine the world of Irish immigration, and the institutions and cultural traditions that they created in Northern Kentucky.

B. "Kentucky’s Bookends to the Civil War: Major Robert Anderson and Fort Sumter"
Presented by Don Rightmyer in Student Union room 108

Major Robert Anderson, a native Kentuckian and West Point graduate, was commander at Ft. Sumter in April 1861.  This talk describes his noted Kentucky genealogy and the important roles he played in the Civil War.   

C. "Mystery on the River: The World of Seckatary Hawkins"
Presented by Diane Schneider in Student Union room 107B

This talk will introduce the world of the famous Seckatary Hawkins stories. Published weekly in newspapers across the US from 1918-1951 and in book form, these stories were immensely popular and their author, Robert F. Schulkers, ranks as one of Kentucky's most widely read authors. The stories had as their setting the beautiful natural world of Kentucky, along a river much like the Licking. Indeed, Schulkers frequently drew on the people, places and events of the area around his childhood home in Covington. The stories are a treasure trove of Northern Kentucky history, and are being made available again through the publishing arm of the modern Seckatary Hawkins Club.

D. "Saving Sherman Tavern"
Presented by Barbara Brown in Student Union room 106

Sherman Tavern is one of the oldest structures in Grant County and one of the few remaining stagecoach stops in the state.  The Friends of Sherman Tavern were formed in 2007 when the building was threatened with destruction.  This group is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of this historic landmark.  In the last five years approximately 7,000 volunteer hours and $28,000 has transformed it from a dilapidated structure to a Grant County treasure.  This presentation will recount the process and people who have worked to save this local gem.

E. "The George Ratterman Trials: Separating Fact from Fiction"
Presented by Michael L. Williams in Student Union room 104

The 1961 Campbell County Sheriff election and the George Ratterman episode was one of the pivotal events in Newport’s transformation from Sin City to the family oriented community of present day.  Yet, despite all the opinions, the few books on the incident, and an abundance of rumors, one can find little or nothing about the 1962 and 1963 federal trials and the revelations about what really happened.  This presentation will attempt to correct some of the more popular myths and rumors spawned by Ratterman Incident and will offer a different interpretation and perspective on the evidence.