John Schildt was introduced to the Civil War by his great-grandmother who fed Union troops on the way to Gettysburg when she was a little girl. While giving tours, he likes to make history come alive by sharing human interest stories about people and places. His fields of specialty are the XII and IX corps, as well as Antietam’s Hospitals and Lincoln’s visit to Antietam in October 1862. So, in addition to the regular Antietam tours John also gives Antietam Hospital tours and “In the footsteps of Lincoln” tours that are approximately two hours long. He offers short tours of the Antietam National Cemetery and Shepherdstown as well.

John has been a lecturer and guide for the Gettysburg College Civil War Institute and Bud Robertson’s “Campaigning with Lee” as well as for the Chicago Civil War Round Table and many other groups. He was the main speaker at the 125th anniversary of Antietam. John led three tours to Normandy and took part in the American and French commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the D-day landing in 1994.

Having been a lifelong student of Antietam, John has written many books on the subject, including September Echoes, Drums along the Antietam, Four days in October, Roads to Antietam, Jackson and the Preachers, Antietam Hospitals, and Antietam through the Years. Other recent publications include Frederick in the Civil War, Hills of Glory and New Hampshire at Antietam, all of which are now available at the Antietam Museum Store.

John can also offer the following Lectures and Tours:

Lectures:
Drums Along the Antietam
A Distinguished Marylander – Henry Kyd Douglas

Tours:
Antietam Hospitals
Four Days in October – Lincoln at Antietam
Twelfth Corps at Antietam
Frederick, Crossroads of the Civil War
Roads to Gettysburg