Catalina Island Museum's Island Scholars recently visited the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum in Wilmington, CA. The Avalon School students have been working with Museum Curator Jeannine Pedersen since October to study the history of Catalina Island and explore the world of museums. Their final project is to choose a topic of Island history, research the subject, and create an exhibit for the museum's galleries. This year the students chose to delve into the history of the Civil War and the role played by the state of California and Catalina Island.

Surprisingly Civil War activities reached the shores of the Pacific and beyond.  Several camps were established throughout California and many young men volunteered to protect California as a Union state.  Camp Drum was established in Wilmington, CA in 1861 to protect Los Angeles Harbor from Confederate activities and in 1864 Company C of the Fourth California Infantry was sent to Catalina Island to survey the Island for its resources and military potential.  A barracks was built at the Isthmus which still stands today as the Isthmus Yacht Club and the soldiers spent nine months on the Island taking census and surveying the Island.  
     
To fully investigate this fascinating period, the Museum's Island Scholars ventured to Wilmington to visit the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum and experienced an exciting day filled with new learning opportunities.  Next, the students will share their new-found knowledge by creating an exhibit in the Museum for all visitors to enjoy.  The students will debut their exhibit at the Catalina Island Museum on May 24th at 6:00 PM.  Everyone is invited!

The Island Scholars Enrichment Program is a project developed by the Catalina Island Education Consortium. Island Scholars were chosen by Avalon Schools based on performance, interest, and teacher recommendation. Consortium members (including the Museum, Catalina Island Conservancy, Catalina Island Marine Institute, and Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies) have each developed projects for the students allowing them to explore Catalina's natural and cultural heritage. For more information about the Museum's educational programs and activities, please call the Catalina Island Museum at (310) 510-2414 or visit our website.

For more information visit www.CatalinaMuseum.org