Coda

You are seeing with your eyes the final post of this Civil War oriented blog.

Is it because the Civil War no longer "is hot right now"? That was the phrase used by the acquisitions editor who invited me to do a book based on this blog -- as if he had to offer enticement! No, the recent statue controversies, the appearance of what an amazing bio of U.S. Grant by Ron Chernow of "Hamilton" fame, the $200,000 won at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids recently for "A. Lincoln", the public vote grand prize winner, constructed of 24,000 Lincoln pennies -- all this demonstrates powerfully that we really are not in the post-Civil War world.

Then there are the pending projects commenced during the life of this blog. The Michigan Historical Commission (MHC) still has on its work agenda issuing a report for the people of Michigan and for posterity on the activities of the Sesquicentennial. The Michigan monument project at Antietam continues, with $20,000 or so in the bank and ongoing fundraising. The U.S. & Julia Grant Home has not moved from its padlocked shelter, and the latest news is that negotiations for a new site appear promising. The list could go on and on, but only one more need be added: this blogger in his copious spare time is working on another Civil War book to come out probably deep into 2018.

Speaking of whom, it is still true that time, change, and gubernatorial appointments march on. This blogger has been appointed to the Michigan World War I Centennial Commission, and is incredibly honored to serve and to promote the legacy of the men and women, like his maternal grandfather, who went to war to save democracy a century ago. This blogger's term on the MHC is due to expire in May '18, and it will have been fulfillment of one of the greatest desires of the heart to have spent eleven years on this august body.

Then there's that job thing. Since February 1, this blogger has served as executive director of the Michigan History Foundation, a 501c3 that supports the State's public history agency. It is implementing a new strategic vision, necessary for its sustainability, which involves some of the items discussed above. There's only so much energy for such things ...

As A. Lincoln said, "the Almighty has his own purposes." It would be the height of churlishness not to be grateful for the invitation to enlist in his army, seeking to build community and understanding instead of wreaking evil. I have failed so often that he should dismiss me from his service, and it would be justice to do so. Yet he continues to strew opportunities for good in my path as if to say "I knew you'd be a mixed bag, but I can still use you in my plans."

So, there is more work to do, but it will not be on this site. Anyone who might be interested can look into jackdempseybooks.com for evolving developments in the writing world. As for this blog, it's been great; deepest thanks to those who took the time to read, and comment, and inquire, and challenge; and it is now time for the stage manager to utter the appropriate final words:

"Cue curtain."