When the Homefront Became the Battlefield: Civil War Missouri
Divided Loyalties, Civilian Struggles, and Wartime Survival on the Homefront
When the American Civil War tore the nation apart, Missouri found itself in a uniquely turbulent position. Bordered by both Union and Confederate sympathies, the conflict didn’t just happen on distant battlefields—it arrived right at the front door. What was daily life like for the families, communities, and civilians trying to survive a war where neighbors fought neighbors?
Join the Stoddard County Historical Society and the Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library for a compelling evening exploring the personal stories, deep divisions, and resilience of Missourians on the homefront.
Our Featured Speaker
We are thrilled to welcome Jim Erwin, a featured Missouri Humanities Speaker, who will present an in-depth and engaging look at the homefront in Civil War Missouri. Drawing on historical research and powerful accounts, he will illuminate how ordinary citizens navigated an era of extraordinary danger, political upheaval, and social division.
What You’ll Explore
- Divided Communities: How towns, families, and neighbors in Missouri were fractured by conflicting loyalties.
- The Civilian Experience: The daily challenges of survival, property loss, and maintaining life during wartime occupation and guerrilla activity.
- The Heart of Conflict: Why Missouri’s homefront was among the most violent and bitterly contested regions in the nation.
Event Details
- 🗓 📅 Date: Thursday, April 15, 2027
- 🕕 Time: 6:00 p.m.
- 📍 Location: Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library, 17377 Stars and Stripes Way, Bloomfield, Missouri
- 🎟 Admission: Free and open to the public! Part of our History After Hours monthly talk series, complete with fascinating stories and refreshments.
History enthusiasts and the public are warmly invited to attend. We’ll see you there!