Students can immerse themselves in Civil War history on the 1844 Society’s inaugural Hillsdale History Tours event Oct. 26.

According to Young Alumni Programs Coordinator Kaeleigh Di Cello, attendees can expect a walking tour that will teach them the history of Hillsdale College in the Civil War.

“The event was inspired by the 1844 Society’s desire to help students cultivate a deeper love and appreciation for Hillsdale College and its mission,” Di Cello said.

Attendees can expect to hear the words of students who attended the college at the time of the Civil War, according to junior Joseph “Hinson” Peed. Peed said student actors will portray the  historical students along the tour.

“I am most looking forward to our attendees having the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of Hillsdale College students who lived during the Civil War,” Di Cello said.

Di Cello said the tour begins at 5:30 p.m. at Hayden Park and will be followed by refreshments and a bonfire. 

Associate Director of Alumni Relations Braden VanDyke said he spent time over the summer researching what other colleges do to promote affinity, spirit, and philanthropy on their campuses. He said he found many do an event like the history walk.

“Given our college’s unique history, especially surrounding the Civil War Era, we thought it would be a cool opportunity to promote some of those lesser-known stories and build students’ pride in their historic and storied college and fellow alumni,” VanDyke said.

According to VanDyke, the history tour will provide a way for current students to connect to their history and appreciate the college’s past. 

“Whether or not students actively realize it, they inherit such a rich history and legacy from alumni who have gone before them,” VanDyke said. “Those unique stories reemphasize Hillsdale’s timelessness and reinforce the idea that there’s no place like Hillsdale.”