Gary ecelbarger biography
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Gary Ecelbarger, an award-winning author of several books about 19th-century American personalities and events, has also established himself as a leading authority on George Washingtons – campaign of the American Revolution. He has formally presented and led tours on the topic for over 15 years and has published several journal articles on the subject within the past two years. But he’s not just a historian specializing in the Revolutionary War. It’s his roots. He claims ten direct-line ancestors who served as Patriot soldiers in the American Revolution. Gary will be leading the upcoming BGES tour, “Between the Fourths, Part 1 of 3: George Washington’s Decisive Period,” on June 20–24, , a not-to-be-missed opportunity to delve into this fascinating period of history. The BGES Blog caught up with Gary to find out more about the tour and how he became so fascinated by this topic.
Watch Garys recent interview with Len Riedel about Between the Fourths.
BGES Blog: Give us the three-sentence overview of your tour.
GE: This tour offers a unique look at two months of the Philadelphia Campaign of the Revolutionary War. It focuses on the August and September movements and battles—including a day-long dissection of the Battle of Brandywine. What sets this program ap
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About the Author
Includes the names: Gary Ecelbarger, Kernstown Parcel Association
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As one of the country’s foremost authorities on the Valley Campaign, Gary Ecelbarger has carved out an impressive niche among Civil War scholars. But it wasn’t until the BGES member entered graduate school at the University of Wisconsin that he envisioned any future for himself as a historian. Science had always been a much bigger draw for the New York native. In fact, Ecelbarger went to Madison to get his degree in nutritional biochemistry. By chance during this time, he made his first trip to Gettysburg, and from that moment on, he was hooked. Ecelbarger’s interest in history was further bolstered when he learned of several direct-line ancestors to the Revolution and Civil War. Since then, he has written eight books and become a much sought-after tour guide, particularly in the Shenandoah Valley. Ecelbarger talked with the BGES Blog about the unexpected route that led him to his passion for history.
BGES Blog: You’re from Upstate New York. Where exactly did you grow up? What was your childhood like?
GE: I grew up 10 miles up the river from Niagara Falls (which is about 15 miles north of Buffalo), where I lived until I went to graduate school in Wisconsin. I was too young to remember all but the end of the ’60s, so I consider myself more a child of the 70s and a