COVENTRY – The Coventry Museum Association will posthumously honor another of the town’s civil war veterans with its fifth annual Civil War Commemorative Event this weekend.
This year’s honoree is Dr. Harrison H. Beecher, a Coventry native who served as assistant surgeon in the 114th New York Volunteers during that pivotal time in our nation’s history.
“He was born in Coventry and is buried in the family plot ... in Union Cemetery,” explained Town Historian Phyllis Lerwick, who added that members of the Beecher family still reside in the town of Coventry.
The civil war veteran’s story, including his time with the 114th, will be told through historical accounts, period music and re-enactments in a commemorative event beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Coventry United Methodist Church, on Route 206 in Coventry.
According to Lerwick, local researcher and Coventry Museum Trustee Bill Searfoss will provide details of Beecher’s service and additional insight into the time period will be provided by portrayals of historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln.
The program will include musical performances by Coventry Residents Doug and Joyce Besemer, as well as Tom Rasely, who will be recording a portion of the event for his “Amazing Grace” project.
Joyce Besemer will be revealing a hand-pieced quilt she created employing patterns which were used to communicate by those involved with the underground railroad.
Adding a note of authenticity to the proceedings will be Civil War re-enactors with the Living History Guild and the North/South Skirmish Group as well as other notable figures in period dress.
Following the program, a ceremony will be held at Coventry Union Cemetery, where Beecher and other Civil War veterans buried there will be honored. Taps will be played by Austin Savage, a youth re-enactor from Greene.
The event will conclude with light refreshments at the church chapel.
The 5th Annual Coventry Civil War Commemorative Event will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11 at the Coventry United Methodist Church. For more information, contact Lerwick at 656-9517 or Searfoss at 843-6450.