In commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, here are two programs sponsored by the Historical Society of Schuylkill County on tap for the next few days: Music and Poetry of the Civil War By Stu Richards and Tommy Symons This program, on Saturday, April 16th, at the Historical Society building at 305 N. Centre St., Pottsville, will present a living history portrayal of two 19th century musicians performing the music of the Civil War, ballads, patriotic songs will be performed. Also interspersed with the music will be poetry written by soldiers and civilians from Schuylkill County during the war. Program begins at 7 p.m. The Historical Society will be open at 5 p.m. and hosted by volunteers to view our Civil War room, and on hand to talk about Schuylkill County’s contribution to the Civil War will be Civil War historians Tom Shay, Dave Derbes, Wes Schwenk and Stu Richards. First Defenders Day April 18, 2011 This program will be held at the Sovereign Majestic Theater on Monday, April 18 at 7 p.m. Admission is $5.00. For many years following the April 18th, 1861 departure of the First Defenders for the defense of Washington, the old vets held reunions every year. At the Historical Society we will portray an event where 4 old veterans of the First Defenders reminisce about their departure for Washington and their confrontation march through the streets of Baltimore, facing an angry mob of secessionists. On this march Nick Biddle the black servant of Capt, James Wren was struck by a brick and the blood that ran down his head was the first to be shed. Ironically by a black man!. In this Living History Program Will be: Tom Shay, Cressona, Tom will speak about the history of the first defenders. Stu Richards, Orwigsburg, Portraying Matthias Edgar Richards, A member of Pottsville’s National Light Infantry. Richards later became a Major in the 96th P.V.I. Tommy Symons, Primrose, Portraying, Valentine Sticther, A member of Pottsville’s Washington Artillery. Mark Pflum, Gibraltor, Pa., Portraying, James Mast of the Ringgold Light Artillery of Reading. He was a private in the Ringgolds and went on to become a lieutenant in Durell's Battery. He then joined the regular army after the War, but seems to have left it without permission. He finished out his life as the editor of the Slatington newspaper. Gary Weaver, Egypt, Pa., Portraying Ignatz Gresser, a member of the Allen Infantry of Allentown. Gresser later earns the Medal Of Honor with the 128th Pennsylvania Infantry. Karen Esak, West Hazelton, Portraying Miss Gulla Meredith, who witnessed the departure of the First Defenders from Pottsville. Bryan Dunnigen, West Hazelton, Benjamin Bannan, Editor of the Miners Journal. He will be master of ceremonies for the program. And introduce each of the old vets. Mary Ann Lubinsky, Secretary Historical Society of Schuylkill County