August 14 - Civil War Book Talk: My Dearest Lilla

“Civil War Book Talk: An Oberlin Family, Jacob Cox and Helen Finney, and their Wartime Letters”
Wednesday, August 14 at 6:30 p.m. (Virtual)

Civil War author/historian Gene Schmiel is once again joining us online to discuss his latest book, “My Dearest Lilla: Letters Home from Civil War General Jacob D. Cox.” Cox was an 1851 graduate of Oberlin College and later a General, Governor of Ohio, Secretary of the Interior, and Civil War author. His wife Helen, a fellow Oberlin College graduate whom he called "Lilla," was a daughter of Oberlin President Charles Finney. Gene's new book is a companion to his 2014 biography of Cox, "Citizen-General." This illustrated program will focus on the evolving relationship between the Coxes, especially during the stressful time of war, based on the over 200 letters Cox wrote home. Cox is memorialized in Oberlin via the college's Cox Administration Building. A few feet away, Helen's father is memorialized via the Finney Chapel. 

This free program is co-hosted by the Oberlin Heritage Center and Oberlin Public Library. Due to unexpected travel constraints, this program, which had been planned to be at the public library, will now be hosted virtually on Zoom. All are welcome to attend, from near and far, but pre-registration is required. Click here to register.