The American Civil War marked the first major conflict to be extensively documented through photography. For the first time, photographers left the confines of their studios and ventured into the field, hauling heavy equipment to capture scenes of camp life, soldiers, fortifications, and the aftermath of battle. These haunting images brought the reality of war into American homes, forever changing how the public perceived conflict. The Civil War also pushed photographic technology forward, sparking innovations that would influence the field for decades to come. This talk explores how photography shaped public opinion, preserved the faces of ordinary soldiers, and gave us some of the most iconic images in American history.

About the Speaker

Mark Holbrook is recently retired as the executive director of the Marion Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Prior to that, Mark served as marketing director at the Ohio History Connection for nine years, where he also served as Civil War Historian. He has been a consultant for tourism and history-based organizations for 20 years.

Mark is a native Ohioan, graduate of The Ohio State University, and an avid student of history. He is the owner of History is Personal, a consulting firm that specializes in tourism and heritage destination development. He is the editor of The Buckeye Vanguard about the 49th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and the author of The Haven: A Light in the Darkness (2023).

Mark also recently retired from a 28-year career as a Civil War reenactor, serving as a Union officer throughout the country at such places as Gettysburg, Chattanooga, Richmond, and Shiloh. He served as military coordinator for the film Light of Freedom (2013) and had a supporting role in Wings of the Wind (2015). His appearances include WOSU Television’s Columbus Neighborhoods series and Mysteries at the Museum on The Travel Channel. Mark also served on the Civil War Sesquicentennial Advisory Committee for the state of Ohio, coordinating the opening and closing events for the state’s commemoration of its participation in the war.

Program Details

This event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 PM, and the program begins at 7:00 PM. The lecture will be held in the CRF Museum Lecture Hall.