OSWEGO, NY – The H. Lee White Marine Museum will be hosting the unveiling of the “Civil War Hero” exhibit, relating to Captain James Lee and U.S. Sloop of War, Kearsarge on March 8 at 6:30 p.m.
The program will include a brief discussion on Gunner Captain James H. Lee and the 1864 Battle off Cherbourg, France of the Kearsarge and the Confederate Ship, Alabama by Ted Panayotoff, historian and museum volunteer.
The exhibit features a brief biography and portrait of James H. Lee (September 1839 – August 1877), watercolor images, a scale model of the USS Kearsarge (1862-1894), original documents and photos. In addition, the display includes the journal Lee kept while serving on the vessel.
“We are grateful to Juliane Place Clark King for her donation of the objects and materials used in the exhibit. We can tell a complete story thanks to family members who carefully maintained the artifacts and information that are presented in the display. This was a critical aspect in our acceptance of the donation. I would also like to thank Ted Panayotoff for his research and efforts to develop this exhibit.” said Mercedes Niess, executive director of the H. Lee White Marine Museum.
Excerpt from Lee’s Medal of Honor Citation: “Served as a seaman on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France,19 June 1864. Acting as sponsor of the No. 1 gun during this bitter engagement, Lee exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by the divisional officer.”
Lee is buried in the Rural Cemetary in the Town of Oswego, the same cemetary as Dr. Mary Walker who was the only female to ever receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. A small town cemetary with two Medal of Honor recipients.
The public is invited to attend the event.
Light refreshments will be served.
The H. Lee White Marine Museum is located at the end of the pier in the Historic Maritime District at the north end of West First Street in Oswego.
For more information about this program or other museum activities, contact the H. Lee White Marine Museum at 315-342-0480 or [email protected]
Also, visit www.hleewhitemarinemuseum.com
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How exciting as more and more historic figures ‘surface’ in the very historic Oswego area.
Thank you, Ted Panayotoff, for yet another interesting historic talk (I attended your lighthouse talk last summer)!
Debbie Engelke