Presenters

Rev. Dr. Thomas Skip Wilson

Colonel Commanding Officer 4th Battalion Provisional Army of the Confederate States 30 years as a reenactor
Chaplain to the reenacting community.
Instructor and author of curriculum at Springs of Life Bible College
Teacher at Wilderness Cries FB page

Mrs. Diane Virostko

“The Civil War Songbird,” of Cleveland, Ohio is an Acapella singer and for more than
thirty years has been a member of a community chorus, “The Westshore Chorale”. She also frequently
performs as a Cantor, and has filled the role at multiple parishes in both Ohio and Michigan. She is the descendant of Andersonville prison camp survivor, Sgt. George Oscar Scott, of the 8th Michigan Cavalry,
Co. A, whose unique Civil War experience inspired her to share the human side of history with others. 

Since 2013, she has performed for audiences of all ages and shared her ever growing knowledge about
the Civil War and its music. She has been a featured guest at Hale Farm & Village, Historic Zoar Village
and Mansfield Civil War Ladies Tea. She often joins the 1st Ohio Artillery, Battery A reenacting group
during their regular season, and can usually be found either entertaining the troops or cooking over the
campfire. When not singing, she enjoys side-saddle horseback riding, sewing, and cats.

Jackie Jacobs

Jackie Jacobs has been involved in reenacting and historical clothing reproduction
since 1984. In 1986 she started Past Reflections, a company dedicated to the
creation of historically accurate clothing, patterns and accessories for the modern
reenactor. Jackie has provided costuming for movies, theater and ballet
companies, and for personnel working for our National Parks systems and other
museum venues. Her clientele is domestic and international.
Jackie also has exhibited and lectured about her collection of original garments at
museums like Colonial Williamsburg and The Henry Ford, as well as small local
museums. She has presented workshops on historical clothing and accessory
construction for Corsets & Cravats (virtual and in-person) conferences and The
Civilian Celebration conferences. There are also many collaborative episodes with
Civil War Digital Digest on various subjects in regards to clothing, accessories and
civilian life. These video productions help to bring her extensive collection of
original clothing to a wider audience.

Art & Pam Dodds

Art and Pam Dodds live in Barbour County, West Virginia. Art retired from the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration where he managed the production of Instrument Approach Procedures
Charts for airports in the United States. Pam is a Registered Professional geologist, specializing in
hydrogeology, and a musician. Art and Pam have a keen interest in history and have been portraying
Governor and Julia Pierpont at reenactments and various events for the past seven years. They have
participated in the reenactments at the Blue Gray Reunion in Philippi, the Battle of Laurel Hill in Belington, events at Gettysburg, Fairmont, and the Beverly Heritage Center, and Civil War
Sesquicentennial Commemoration events in Clarksburg, Charleston, and Wheeling. They are
members of the West Virginia Reenactors Association and the Valley Division, and believe that
reenacting keeps history alive and helps to stimulate interest in historical events.

David Walker

David Walker has been a reenactor and living historian for the better portion of his life,
and has been impersonating Jefferson Davis for 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 an
elementary teacher, teaching mainly 5 th grade. He has attended the Lincoln Forum for
26 years and Civil War Institute—both in Gettysburg– for 15 years. He is busier than
ever in his retirement, appearing at Civil War reenactments, roundtables, balls,
conferences, fashion shows, schools, and civic functions. Last year, David had the
opportunity to work in film.
David has performed in over ten states and last summer he had the honor of portraying
Davis at a SC event.

John Rys

John Rys has been involved in the living history hobby for almost 20 years and is a member of the 5 th
Texas Co A, and North Coast Narrative. You may have had the pleasure of hearing him speak about
ballroom etiquette and political figures; he finds Alexander Stephens particularly interesting. He is also
the adjutant for the Jeff Davis Rifles Battalion.
John shares a home with Lori, his wife of 38years, and their dog Marlow. Other hobbies include
restoring and driving classic Mopar muscle cars, collecting US medals, and creating his garments for
reenacting.

George Whitla

Gary M. Whitla, Esq. is the Vice-President and Co-Director of the Appomattox-Petersburg Preservation
Society, Inc., a Virginia-based 501(c)(3). Formed in 2022, the Appomattox-Petersburg Preservation
Society (“APPS”) is the only preservation society focusing solely on preserving battlefields and landmarks
from the Petersburg and Appomattox Campaigns. Gary’s passion for history is matched only by his
passion for law. Gary is a licensed attorney practicing domestic relations and family law, and is a
graduate of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. He is also an experienced political
activist and campaign manager.

Bob Dispensa

Bob Dispenza is one of our most popular speakers and we are lucky to have him back for what is sure to be a dynamic presentation. We had the pleasure of learning about enlisted men in the Navy previously—now he will teach us about Navy officers. Bob has worked professionally for numerous county, state, and national parks and has received many related awards.  Interests include Civil War Navy reenacting, pocket watch collecting and repair, backpacking,  camping,  hiking, astronomy, music (trombone and autoharp), volleyball.

B.S. Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 1981                                 B. A., California State University, 2008– Present – 2006     Park and Education Manager, Allen County Parks Director of Education, Allen County Parks, Fort Wayne, IN        – Present Owner and Operator, Nature Chronicles          – 2000 – Naturalist, Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, Akron OH              — 1990 Teaching Naturalist, Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, Evansville, IN                  – 1983 Education Staff, Barrier Island Environmental Education Center, John’s Island, SC

– 1983 Park Technician, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Medora, ND

– 1982 Education Staff, National Audubon Society’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Naples, FL

Chair of Mobile Workshops Committee, Region 4 Interpreters Workshop, 2007

Chair of Visual Communication Section, NAI (National Association for Interpretation)

2004-2007

Chair of the NAI region 4 Scholarship and Grants Committee, 1994-1999

NAI Region 4 Newsletter Committee, 2001-2004

NAI National Master Front-Line Interpreter, 2007

NAI Region 4 Distinguished Professional Interpreter, 2007

NAI Region 4 Distinguished Service Award, 1997

NAI Certified Interpretive Guide, Certified Interpretive Trainer

Third Place, NAI National Media Competition, Exhibit Guides, 1987

NAI Region 4 Outstanding Interpretive Program Award, 1988

Vickie St, John

Vickie St John has lived every style of life in the 1860s. She has been reenacting since she was 4 years old & grew up as a member of the Mudsills.   Currently, living in Michigan, she is a member of the board for the Jackson Civil War Muster,  a member of the Amaranth Society & the 21st Michigan civilian coordinator.