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U.S. Colored Troops Institute

Regional Conference, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, September 21, 2002

 

On September 20 and 21, 2002, United States Colored Troops Institute held its Regional Conference in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, at the National Civil War Museum. Although the focus of this national symposium was on the role of the United States Colored Troops in the Civil War, the Harrisburg conference paid tribute to Thomas Morris Chester, described in its pamphlet as "Harrisburg's most distinguished African American of the Civil War period."

After the ceremony unveiling the new tombstone for T. Morris Chester at Lincoln Cemetery, the conference continued at the National Civil War Museum with a welcome from Harry Bradshaw Matthews, President and Senior Fellow of the United States Colored Troops Institute for Local History and Family Research at Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York. An oil portrait of T. Morris Chester, a gift to the National Civil War Museum, was unveiled, and two concurrent sessions featuring presentations by eight historians followed in the afternoon. The photographs below are from the late morning portion of the conference.

Edmund Dudley, President of the Harrisburg chapter of the United States Colored Troops Institute welcomes guests.

Left: Edmund Dudley, President of the Harrisburg chapter of the United States Colored Troops Institute welcomes guests to the first conference in the National Symposium, held in Harrisburg. Harry Bradshaw Matthews stands to Mr. Dudley's right.

Sponsors of the Harrisburg Symposium were the United States Colored Troops Institute, Ronald H. Brown Charter School and The National Civil War Museum. Supporters included The City of Harrisburg, The Greater Harrisburg Foundation, The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Downtown Improvement District, Johnson, Duffie, Stewart & Weidner, Auchincloss & Auchincloss Marketing & Communications, South Philly Hoagies, Eloise & Edmund Dudley, Cannon Cleaning Company, and J & D Emporium.

Conferences are scheduled through 2004 in Rochester, NY, Columbia, MD, Detroit, MI and Charleston, SC.

Harry Bradshaw Matthews and George E. Hicks, CEO of the National Civil War Museum unveiled the portrait of T. Morris Chester, which was presented to the museum.At right, descendants of T. Morris Chester witness the unveiling of a portrait depicting their ancestor as commissioned Brigadier General in the Louisiana State Militia in 1873. Harry Bradshaw Matthews and George E. Hicks, CEO of the National Civil War Museum unveiled the portrait, which was presented to the museum. George Hicks thanked those assembled for the gift, saying it would be a part of the museum's permanent collection.

 

Descendants of T. Morris Chester gathered to thank the museum and the USCT Institute for the focus on their ancestor. Left: Shortly before the portrait of Thomas Morris Chester was unveiled, the descendants of Chester gathered to thank the museum and the USCT Institute for the focus on their ancestor. At center are spokespersons for the group, James and Gladys Richardson.

Noting that many of the descendants of Chester present at the conference were born in Liberia, the Richardsons said "We come from two continents, yet we come as one family."

 

James Richardson presents a plaque of appreciation to Harrisburg historian Calobe Jackson, Jr.At right, James Richardson presents a plaque of appreciation to Harrisburg historian Calobe Jackson, Jr., in appreciation for all of the work that Jackson has done to bring the accomplishments of not only T. Morris Chester, but many local African Americans to light.

Jackson thanked Richardson and the Chester descendants, saying it was "one of the proudest moments of my life."

 

Frederick Douglass IV presents prints of his great-great- grandfather.Left: A reenactor billed as Frederick Douglass IV presents prints of abolitionist Frederick Douglass to Edmund Dudley, Ms. Darlene Colon' of Lancaster (Board of Directors of USCTI), Harry Bradshaw Matthews and George Hicks. Douglass spoke at the previous evening session about abolitionist Douglass, and travels the country teaching about Frederick Douglass by recreating his speeches and performing specific scenes from Douglass' life.

 

Portrait of Thomas Morris Chester. Click for a larger image.

Portrait of Thomas Morris Chester.

All photos on this page and on the next page are by George F. Nagle and are property of Afrolumens Project.

Chester's funeral notice from The Patriot, 1892

Go to Page 1 of the Lincoln Cemetery Photos

Go to Page 2 of the Lincoln Cemetery Photos

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