Kristin Patterson on “The Funding of the Gettysburg National Cemetery”
Everyone familiar with the American Civil War is aware of the pivotal encounter between Union and Confederate forces that occurred July 1–3, 1863, just outside the small town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This was one of the bloodiest battles involving American soldier casualties from both sides. Most people are also familiar with the “Gettysburg Address,” given by President Abraham Lincoln at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery on November 19, 1863. But few people know the specifics about how this historic cemetery was financed. The talk will explain who organized the effort and who ultimately paid for the construction.
Kristin Patterson, who was born and raised in Wisconsin, started collecting postage stamps when she was 10. For the past 27 years, she has focused on U.S. Civil War tax stamps and documents with revenue stamps. She has been very active in the philatelic community, serving four terms as President of the Sequoia Stamp Club, 20 years as Chair of the PENPEX Stamp Show (www.penpex.org), and on many other philatelic boards.
Kristin has authored two books. In 2003, she self-published It’s a Wrap! U.S. Revenue Stamps Used on Playing Cards, 1862–1883. This colorfully illustrated book highlights fifteen U.S. playing card manufacturers. In 2010, she published her second book, WESTPEX – The First 50 Years, about the most successful stamp show in the U.S.
Kristin has also written many articles for philatelic journals, including “The Soldiers’ National Cemetery at Gettysburg,” which discusses how the Gettysburg Cemetery came to be and how the Union funded the effort.