Call for Proposals – Share Your Work at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine

The National Museum of Civil War Medicine is dedicated to sharing the story of medical care in our nation’s bloodiest conflict. The mid-19^th century saw rapid changes in healthcare in America, many of them brought about by the ugly necessities of a war that killed more than an estimated 700,000 people. The museum’s role is to create a better understanding of how that era’s medical practices and infrastructure impacted soldiers and civilians alike, and paved the way for a modern healthcare system in the United States. Of even more importance is the impact Civil War medicine has on present day disaster response.

Now, you can play a role in telling this story. The NMCWM is actively recruiting students, scholars, researchers, museum professionals and historians with an interest in Civil War medicine conducting the latest research on the topic. The museum has numerous outlets for those willing to contribute to the study and scholarship surrounding Civil War medical care. These opportunities are available for interested persons from across the nation and around the world.

Opportunities include:

• The Annual Conference on Civil War Medicine
• Lectures throughout the year at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Pry House Field Hospital Museum, and Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office
• Outreach opportunities across the country
• Writing opportunities including posts on the museum’s renowned blog and the Surgeon’s Call, the museum’s scholarly journal

If you have a topic in mind, please send a proposal to the museum. Proposals should be one to five pages in length, typed and double-spaced, and must be accompanied by a bibliography.

Topics should be related to 19^th century healthcare, especially as it ties to the Civil War, but outside-the-box thinking is encouraged. Preference will be given to topics that dive into previously unexplored or underutilized areas of study within the field of Civil War medicine.

Target subjects for 2019 include, but are not limited to:

• Medical care at the Battles of Manassas/ Bull Run
• Hospitals and convalescent camps around Alexandria, Virginia
• The burial—and reburial—of the Civil War dead.
• Civil War recruiting
• The Army Medical Museum and Civil War medicine

Proposals for talks should include the title, speaker’s full name, short biographical sketch including professional and academic affiliations, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone numbers, and a brief statement as to why the topic is particularly appropriate for the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Pry House Field Hospital Museum or Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office. Presentations should be limited to 45 minutes, followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer period.

Please submit your abstract and electronic C.V. for consideration to Director of Interpretation Jake Wynn at jake.wynn@civilwarmed.org or by mail to P.O. Box 470, Frederick, MD 21705.

Prospective blog posts and blog topics should be submitted to John Lustrea at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine (john.lustrea@civilwarmed.org). Posts should be from 600-900 words in length, include numerous images or visual media, and link to other relevant material in the area researched.

Proposals for our journal, Surgeon’s Call, should summarize the subject matter and provide a list of sources, plus a short biographical sketch and contact information for the author. Suggestions for images would also be helpful. Articles can range anywhere from 500 words to 4,500 words. The journal is published twice a year, in June and December. Submit your proposals to Terry Reimer, Director of Research, at terry.reimer@civilwarmed.org.

All proposals will be considered, but submission of a proposal does not guarantee an invitation to speak at the museums or affiliated programs.