Local presentation set on Underground Railroad

DOWNINGTOWN>> The Kennett Square Underground Railroad event sponsored by the Hadley Fund has scheduled a special event on the life of AfricanAmericans on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. at the auditorium of Kendal at Longwood.

Chester County author Bruce Mowday will be talking about the anti-slavery portion of his new book J. Howard Wert’s Gettysburg. The event is free and open to the public.

“What makes this event so special is that Craig Caba, curator of the Wert collection, will bring artifacts from the collection to the talk,” Mowday said. “This is an excellent opportunity to view actual items from the 19th century. Wert also had a strong connection to Kennett Square as items from Bayard Taylor and Taylor’s brother, who was killed at Gettysburg, are in the collection.”

Mowday is giving a talk on J. Howard Wert’s Gettysburg before the West Goshen Historical Commission on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. “I spent three years researching and writing about Wert. He was a fascinating historical figure and his collection is superior. The podium used by Abraham Lincoln during his famous Gettysburg Address is part of the collection.”

The Countrymen’s group has scheduled a talk on Gettysburg on Oct. 11. Mowday has written another book on Gettysburg, “Pickett’s Charge: The Untold Story.”

Mowday’s book “Jailing the Johnston Gang: Bringing Serial Murderers to Justice” was featured on Reelz television this summer. Barricade Books has just authorized another printing of the book. Parkesburg Library has scheduled Mowday to talk on his book on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. The talk will be given at the Highland township building.

“The Johnston book has been featured on several television shows and recently on a podcast where FBI agent David Richter was interviewed,” Mowday said. “This is a sad part of Chester County history. The book highlights the dedicated law enforcement officials that brought the Johnston gang to justice.”

Mowday is taking part in a number of local festivals in the coming weeks, including Downingtown’s FallFest which takes place Sunday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. On Sunday, Oct. 7 he will be at Westtown Days at the Oakbourne Mansion from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. He’ll also participate in the Tel Hai Merchant Faire on Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

On Oct. 20, Mowday again will participate in the Celebrate The Book Week at the Bosler Memorial Library in Carlisle. Mowday has given presentations at the event in past years.

“My books deal with history and the people who made that history,” Mowday said. “I’m always happy to talks with groups interested in my history, true crime, business and sports topics. I learn so much from the people attending those talks.”