“Compromise Efforts to Stop the Coming of the Civil War” presentation by Dr. James Finck, Honey Springs Battlefield and Visitor Center

Honey Springs Battlefield and Visitor Center is proud to announce a special presentation, “Compromise Efforts to Stop the Coming of the Civil War,” to be held at the battlefield’s new Visitor Center on Saturday, May 19, at 1 pm. The presenter, Dr. James Finck, is associate professor of history at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) located in Chickasha.

“Compromise efforts were essential to the creation of this nation, even if that meant compromising on moral issues like slavery. For almost a century national leaders compromised these issues and kicked the problems down the road to later generations. It was not until the 1850s that our national leaders refused to compromise certain issues, which led to the Civil War. However, last-ditch efforts were made to try to resolve these issues and avoid war,” said Dr. Finck.” He will examine the ideas of compromise and look at these efforts and why they ultimately failed leading up to the Civil War.

Dr. James Finck has been an associate professor of history at USAO since 2011, specializing in political history and the Civil War. He is the author several books and articles and is currently finishing a manuscript on the history of USAO. Finck also is beginning research on the Battle of Honey Springs, the largest Civil War battle in what would become Oklahoma. He has worked closely with staff at the site for the past four years and teaches a class in battlefield interpretation each summer. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas in 2008.

After the presentation, visitors will have the opportunity to tour the battlefield and learn about key aspects of the engagement and the people who fought at Honey Springs. Visitors also will be able to tour the new Visitor Center building, purchase items from the gift shop, and learn about the new exhibits that will open in the near future.

For more information regarding the presentation or Honey Springs Battlefield and Visitor Center, please email honeysprings@okhistory.org or alynn@okhistory.org, or call 918-473-5572. Honey Springs Battlefield and Visitor Center is located east of US Highway 69 between Oktaha and Rentiesville. The Visitor Center is located on a hill within close proximity to the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame in Rentiesville. Take the second left after reaching the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame Museum (driving from the west).