New Bedford Civil War Roundtable

06/15/2026

Membership Reminder: We will be hosting our annual meeting on Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30 PM at the Low Tide Yacht Club in New Bedford. Doors will open for social time at 6:00 PM.

Members are encouraged to bring shareable desserts. Please note that dinner will not be served.

Image: Union army officers gathered around a table in front of a tent.

06/03/2026

The New Bedford Civil War Round Table announces the 2026 Joe Langlois Book Award Winners!

Every year, the New Bedford Civil War Round Table awards book awards to graduating seniors from the high schools in our 5 surrounding communities. Named in honor of our long-time President and founding member, Joe Langlois, it is one of the more meaningful things our organization does. This year, members donated over $1,200 to the scholarship fund and Coastal 1 Credit Union donated an additional $500! A special thanks to our generous membership and Coastal 1 for their donations.

1st Place: Andrew Moniz, Dartmouth High School, $500

Runners Up:
Colleen Read, Fairhaven High School, $250
Melody Gonsalves, Fairhaven High School, $250
Madelyn Duarte, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocation High School, $250

Congratulations to this year's book award recipients!

05/26/2026

We had an incredible turnout to our annual Memorial Day Service in Rural Cemetery this past Saturday.

A special thanks to everyone who attended, the City of New Bedford, the Sons of Union Veterans, reenactors from the 2nd Rhode Island, the Massachusetts National Guard, the New Bedford Veteran's Advisory Board, the 1850s Ladies and everyone who made the ceremony possible.

Images: Board Member reads the Gettysburg Address, the 1850s Ladies and a member of the Sons of Union Veterans place a floral wreath, reenactors prepare to fire a gun salute

05/22/2026

Don't forget next Tuesday evening, May 26, our speaker is Professor David Kelly of the Naval War College. David has spoken to our group numerous times. His presentations are always informative and entertaining; this presentation promises to maintain that level. He will speak on the relationship between President Lincoln and Secretary of State Seward: From Rocky to Rock Solid. The Presentation starts at 6, but be sure to come early at 5:30 for the coffee and pastries. It's a great time to socialize with old friends and maybe make some new ones. Please feel free to bring a friend. Low Tide Yacht Club, 1000 S. Rodney French Blvd. New Bedford.

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05/20/2026

We have finished editing and have posted our latest meeting. Our presenter was Stephen Evangelista. His topic was the Gettysburg Gun. Stephen is a wonderful speaker, and we're sure you will enjoy watching the video. We believe you will be both entertained and informed. As always, please like, and if you haven't done so already, subscribe.

Stephen Evangelista tells the story of the Gettysburg Gun. A Civil...

05/11/2026

Join us on Saturday, May 23rd at 9:00 AM for our annual Memorial Day Service in Rural Cemetery. Held each year in the Civil War veteran's section, it is a meaningful way to start off your Memorial Day weekend.

This program is FREE and open to all. Please consider bringing friends and family. Donuts and coffee will be available for attendees after the program.

04/30/2026

It’s time to mark your calendar for May 23rd. We will be holding our annual Memorial Day commemoration that morning at the GAR section of Rural Cemetery in New Bedford. The ceremony begins at 9:00 a.m. and lasts approximately one hour.
We’re pleased to share that Jon Mitchell is expected to join us this year as our keynote speaker. Bob Bromley will also be with us to briefly reflect on the history of the commemoration.
The program will include Civil War–era music, participants in period dress and uniform, and appropriate military honors in remembrance of our fallen Civil War heroes. Following the ceremony, coffee and pastries will be available, along with a photo display highlighting our recent grave-cleaning efforts.

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04/26/2026

Join us on Tuesday, April 28th at 6:00 PM for our monthly meeting. Stephen Evangelista will be presenting on his book Forever Silenced: The Story of the Gettysburg Gun.

Doors open at 5:15 PM with coffee and pastries. Meetings are FREE and open to all. We hope to see you at the Low Tide Yacht Club in New Bedford on Tuesday evening!

Image: Gettysburg Gun

04/08/2026

Join us on Tuesday, April 28th for our monthly meeting. Stephen Evangelista will be presenting on his book, Forever Silenced: The Story of the Gettysburg Gun.

Doors open at 5:15 PM. Coffee and pastries will be available. Meeting begins at 6:00 PM.

All of our meetings are FREE and open to the public. Consider inviting a friend or family member who has an interest in local Civil War history!

04/07/2026

We recently had our first in-person meeting of the 2026 season. Tom Nester gave a terrific presentation, " The South Returns to West Point." Tom always does a great job, and this was no exception. If you weren't able to attend or you just want to see it again, it is now posted on our NBCWRT YouTube channel. You can access it either on your computer or laptop. Also on your Tablet or your TV if it is connected to the internet. This presentation is well worth your time.

The story of West Point during and after the Civil War.Presented by Dr. Thomas Nester, History Professor atBridgewater State University. How West Point hand...