Flagler presents Unionists in Civil War Florida

Historic City News has learned that Liberal Studies Assistant Professor Tracy W. Upchurch will kick-off the 2011-2012 season of the Flagler College Community Lecture Series on Tuesday, September 6th, with a presentation on “Friends of the Old Flag: Unionists in Civil War Florida”.

The lecture will take place at 10 a.m. in the college’s Flagler Room in the former Ponce de Leon Hotel.

The presentation will explore the experiences of Southerners-particularly those in Northeast Florida-who did not support the Confederacy during the Civil War. Upchurch will examine ways class, geography and proximity to Union strongholds may have played a part in the development and strength of Union loyalties in our region.

“People remained loyal to the Union for different reasons,” Upchurch said. “And it’s important to ask why they made that decision, and to examine what their experiences were when they expressed their beliefs.”

Upchurch received his Juris Doctorate from The University of Florida College of Law and his B.A. from Davidson College with a major in history. He is a former Florida state representative, a former mayor of the city of St. Augustine and a former St. Augustine city commissioner. Upchurch is well-known for his active public and civic service; he serves in an “of counsel” capacity to the law firm of Upchurch, Bailey and Upchurch and is a trustee and former chairman of Flagler Healthcare Systems Inc., the parent company of Flagler Hospital.

The Flagler College Community Lecture Series was established in 2007 and offers educational and cultural opportunities to the St. Augustine community. Topics are provided by local experts and Flagler faculty.

Tickets are $5 per person for a single lecture, or $15 per semester. Active military personnel may attend at no charge. Lectures begin at 10 a.m. in the Flagler Room at Flagler College, 74 King St. Reservations are required as space is limited. The lecture will last approximately one hour and will be followed by a coffee and pastry reception. Call (904) 819-6282 for reservations or more information.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News archive photograph