The continuing struggle for “a new birth of freedom” following the American Civil War will be the topic of a presentation by Hal S. Chase Thursday, Nov. 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the Senate Chamber of the University of Iowa Old Capitol Museum. The event is free and open to the public.

Chase, a Des Moines native who grew up in segregated Kentucky, will offer a 15-minute audio-visual presentation titled “Beyond Racism: The Civil War, Emancipation, and the continuing struggle for ‘a new birth of freedom’.” Following his presentation, members of the audience will be invited to participate in a collective conversation, including shared experiences.

Humanities Iowa and the National Endowment for the Humanities have provided funding for the event. Light refreshments will be provided after the presentation and a discussion.

The talk is the first of four lectures scheduled in conjunction with a new exhibit at Old Capitol: "Gone to See the Elephant: The Civil War through the Eyes of Iowa Soldiers."

Chase earned a bachelor’s degree in history at Washington and Lee University, master’s degree in American history from Stanford University and his doctorate in American Civilization from the University of Pennsylvania. His current research interests include the legacy of the WW1 Black Officers Training Camp at Fort Des Moines, African-American history in Iowa and a biography of W. Calvin Chase, the editor of The Washington Bee, 1882-1921, one of the major African-American weeklies in the U. S. of that era.

He is currently teaching courses through the Senior College of Greater Des Moines, which was developed with the support of the Des Moines Higher Education Collaborative, whose members included the UI, Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, Drake University, Des Moines Area Community College, Grand View University and Simpson College.

A cultural resource for Iowans since 1971, Humanities Iowa offers many cultural and historical programs and grants to Iowa's communities. It is a private, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information about the Old Capitol Museum and the exhibit, visit www.uiowa.edu/oldcap.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the Old Capitol Museum in advance at 319-335-0548.