Bonny Forbes will present the work of the U.S. Sanitary Commission during the Civil War during a Historical Society of Hilltown Township open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 4.
The commission, a solely civilian and volunteer organization, assisted to the U.S. federal military in providing medical supplies, food and clothing as needed over the course of the war, when it became apparent in the early months that the U.S. government was ill prepared to deal with the new national emergency.
The commission advised and supported aspects of maintaining the health of the Union soldiers, and mustered a largely female population to facilitate in the organization of military hospitals and camps, and established the transportation of wounded from battlegrounds to hospitals and home.
They rallied families at home to provide donations for basic clothing and sundries needed by the soldiers.
The free event will take place at the circa 1800s Strassburger Farmstead, 407 Keystone Drive and Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville. For information, call 267-614-9174. The rain date is Sunday, June 5. Visit hilltownhistory.org.
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