CONFERENCE ROOM 1
10-10:45 Vintage Jewelry and if it is Appropriate for Reenacting.
Keely Hopkins
11-11:45 The Last Months of the Civil War
David Walker
Noon Lunch
Noon – 1:00 TRIVIA Holly Ray & David Walker
1-1:45 History of Fashion Plates
Beth Rock
2-2:45 Passing on the Christian Faith to Slaves
Amelia Schmotzer
CONFERENCE ROOM 2
10-10:45 The H.L. Hunley – Mystery Solved
John Spaziani
11-11:45 General Winfield Scott Hancock, Commander of the U.S. Second Corps
Brian Burtka
Noon Lunch
Noon-1:00 TRIVIA! Holly Ray & David Walker
1-1:45 Civil War medicine from a Confederate view and demonstration of a leg amputation
Doug Gill
2-2:45 The Confederate Alamo: The Valiant Last Stand at Fort Gregg- April 2, 1865
Gary Whitla
2026 Presenter Topics & Bios
Keely Hopkins
Vintage Jewelry and if it is Appropriate for Reenacting.
Have something in your jewelry box that you want to wear to a CW event but you’re just not sure if it represents the correct time period? The following class is for you!
Real or NOT Real?
Keely Hopkins, Hopkins & Hopkins Vintage Jewelry and Design.
Ms. Hopkins is an Historian and Jewelry Historian GIA certified with an emphasis in pearls. She owns and operates Hopkins & Hopkins Vintage Jewelry and Design.
David Walker
The Last Months of the Civil War
The presentation begins with Grant’s arrival in Washington D.C. on March 8, 1864, and covers several pivotal topics, including the surrender at Appomattox, the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and the capture of Jefferson Davis. The presentation will conclude with the impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson, while highlighting other important events in between.
David Walker has been a reenactor and living historian for the better has portion of his life and has been impersonating Jefferson Davis for over 20 years. Prior to his portrayal of the controversial Confederate President, he spent many years in the ranks of the Union infantry. David presents Jefferson Davis from birth in Kentucky until his release from prison at Ft. Monroe, Virginia in 1867.
David served in the Army National Guard for 7 years before becoming a teacher. He received his M.A. in history from Wright State University and spent thirty years as anelementary teacher, teaching mainly 5th grade. He has attended the Lincoln Forum for 27 years and Civil War Institute—both in Gettysburg David — for 15 years. He is busier thanever in his retirement, appearing at Civil War reenactments, roundtables, balls,conferences, fashion shows, schools, civic functions, and film.
Beth Rock
The History of Fashion Plates
Beth Rock will be back in a different capacity this year…as one of our knowledgeable speakers. This one will be full of eye candy, for sure!
Join us for an engaging exploration of fashion through the ages, as seen through the exquisite artistry of historical “fashion plates.” This presentation delves into how these illustrated treasures not only documented evolving styles but also influenced trends, social norms, and cultural ideals of beauty. From delicate 18th-century engravings to vibrant 19th-century lithographs, discover their stories, as well as the Dressed Figure Art that has been produced through the centuries.
Presented by The Octagon Ladies Repository, a trusted resource in historical fashion for over 34 years. The Owners are proud to maintain an extensive collection of original period magazines, where these fashion plates were first published, offering an authentic glimpse into the past for enthusiasts, historians, and fashion lovers alike. A sampling of these magazines with fashion plates will be shared with all in attendance at the Ohio Regimental Military Ball. February 28th, 2026.
AmeliaSchmotzer
Passing on the Christian Faith to Slaves
In this session we will explore the motivations and methods of the Southern slaveholders in teaching their slaves the Christian faith. We will begin by talking about the motivations for conversion of slaves in the colonial times. Then we will jump to 1830-1862 and focus in detail on the methods of passing on the faith. We will conclude by considering together how these topics can be applied to today’s culture.
Amelia Schmotzer began attending Civil War reenactments in 2015 and began her journey as a living historian in 2017. This presentation was born out of a term paper, “The Catechesis of Antebellum Slaves,” that she wrote for a class in seminary. Within the Civil War time period, Amelia enjoys the history of cooking, food preservation, and religion. Outside of the Civil War reenacting community, Amelia is a deacon in the Anglican Church and is a mother to four teenagers.
John C. Spaziani
The H.L. Hunley – Mystery Solved
On the night of 17 February 1864, eight brave souls manned the H.L Hunley, attacked and sank the 1,240-ton United States Navy screw sloop-of-war Housatonic. It had been on Union blockade-duty in Charleston’s outer harbor. Hunley did not survive the attack and sank, taking all eight members of her third crew with her. The submarine was lost, for decades.
Finally located in 1995, Hunley was raised in 2000 and is on display in North Charleston, South Carolina, at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center on the Cooper River. Crew members were found at their respective stations, calmly at rest.
Examination in 2012 of recovered Hunley artifacts suggested that the submarine was as close as 20 ft (6.1 m) to her target, Housatonic, when her deployed torpedo exploded, which may have caused the submarine’s sinking. In 2016, a DukeUniversity Doctoral Candidate, Ms. Rachel Lance, published a study indicating the crew was killed in the blast. Was she correct?
Recently the Friends of the Hunley commissioned the US Navy to do a detailed study of the incident. The results of their analysis are intriguing. The Friends presented the results of the Navy work and their own analysis in October 2025.
Was the mission considered a success? What actually happenedthat fateful night? Why did the Hunley not return to port? Did the explosion kill the crew?
John C. Spaziani, who has a master’s degree in Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow from New York University, is in a unique position to examine the related analysis and present conclusions.Do not miss this fascinating presentation.
John Christopher Spaziani is a native of Jersey City, New Jersey and a Graduate of St. Peter’s Prep, Stevens University (BSME), the State University of New York (MSME), Lynchburg College (MBA) and Walsh University (MA, Counseling and Human Development).
John worked for Grumman Aerospace on Project Apollo, the F-14A/B Fighter Jets and the Space Shuttle. Subsequently he was employed for Babcock & Wilcox for thirty-one (31) years in both the nuclear and fossil industries, working on Proposals and Projects in fifty-two (52) different countries. Thereafter, he worked for Acres International, Kvaerner Power and CMI Energy.
He retired in 2014 to spend more family time and practice Living History of the American Civil War. Pre-Covid John was participating in thirty-two (32) such events annually, as far west as Vicksburg, MS and east to Gettysburg, PA. He has presented many Civil War Round Tables and Sons Chapters, as well as the Daniel Lady Farm, the Ohio Regimental Military Ball and the Civil War Museum in Appomattox.
He portrays:
– CSA Full General Samuel Cooper,
– CSA Infantry Colonel William Calvin Oates, and
– Lt. George Erasmus Dixon, last Captain, Confederate submarine The H.L. Hunley.
He is currently researching President Rutherford B. Hayes and the contested election of 1876.
John and Charlene will celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary in 2026 and have three sons, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They are currently residents of Fort Mill, SC.
Brian Burtka
“The General Winfield Scott Hancock, Commander of the U.S. Second Corps”
Winfield Scott Hancock was a household name in the nineteenth century. Today, this presidential candidate is barely remembered outside of Gettysburg discussions. Born in 1824 just outside Philadelphia, Hancock was a career officer in the U.S. Army. During the Civil War, Hancock rose through the ranks and became one of the best Corps commanders in the Union Army. He is known as “Hancock the Superb.” After the Civil War, Hancock continued his military career. In 1880, the Democratic Party nominated Hancock for President. He lost in one of the closest popular votes in U.S. history. Hancock died in 1886 on active duty in New York City. This first-person portrayal brings his story to life and shows why Hancock was a household name.
Brian Burtka, S.J., is a high school teacher at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland. Brian began reenacting in 2013 and has portrayed multiple impressions and people over the years. Brian’s interest in Winfield Scott Hancock began during his first trip to Gettysburg. Brian began portraying Hancock in 2023 and portrays him at reenactments across the Midwest. Brian can be found at many local events in Ohio, and he is frequently found with his political rival at the James A. Garfield Civil War Roundtable.
Brian’s biography details his presentation on Winfield Scott Hancock and his background as a reenactor and teacher.
Doug Gill
Civil War medicine from a Confederate view and demonstration of a leg amputation
I have been reenacting going on 36 years in the medical field. Born in Columbus, Ohio. Graduated from Upper Arlington High School. Went to school at a 2 -year Jr. Collage in Kentucky. Came back to The Ohio State University to finish my teaching degree GLP 1 weight loss medication. Got drafted and joined the Navy, 69-75. Got my teaching degree in Industrial Technology, shop, and taught in Newark, Ohio, where I live, for 32 years. Worked part time for 30 years at OSU-Newark campus, played and coached a softball team for my church for 10 years, member of the Licking County Historical Society and served on the board for 9 years. Have been working on Honor Flight out of John Glenn Airport for veterans for 11 years and a member of the American Pride team of the Central Ohio Hospice Association for 4 years that does pinning’s for veterans that are in hospice. Member of the local VFW, American Legion, National Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans of America and a 20- year member of American Battlefield trust, 20- year member United States Navy Memorial, 20- year member Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. I have two daughters, two granddaughters, 4 cats, and still work part time.
Attorney Gary M. Whitla
“The Confederate Alamo: The Valiant Last Stand at Fort Gregg- April 2, 1865”
We are thrilled to have Gary Whitla back with us this Feb. He is a wonderful speaker and has a new program for us.
In the waning days of the War in Virginia, Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army was locked in deadly combat against the Federal Armies commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant in the trenches of Richmond and Petersburg. On April 2, 1865, after a nine-month siege, Federal troops overtook Confederate positions and forced Lee’s Army to abandon the Richmond-Petersburg Line. As Union troops surged onward towards Petersburg, Lee’s Army found itself on the verge of being cut off and totally destroyed.
Whitla will recount the story of how a hodgepodge group of less than 400 Confederate defenders faced off against 4,400 Union troops in a fateful last stand in what would become known as “The Confederate Alamo,” where nearly but a few dozen southern men were left standing when the smoke finally cleared, a tale of duty, heartache, triumph, and defeat.
Gary M. Whitla, Esq., is a practicing attorney and is the Vice President and co-director of the Appomattox-Petersburg Preservation Society, Inc., a 501(c)(3) dedicated to preserving the battlefields and landmarks of the Appomattox and Petersburg campaigns of the American Civil War. Gary’s passion for history is matched only by his passion for law. Gary is a practicing attorney and a graduate of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He is also an experienced political activist and campaign manager