“The Bonds of War”
Presented by Diana Dretske
Diana Dretske will present her recently published book with Southern Illinois University Press, The Bonds of War. The book is a collective biography of five immigrants from the British Isles, who served with the 96th Illinois Infantry during the American Civil War. The presentation will include her work to fully identify the portrait of these men which led her to research their lives in Lake County, and explore the significance of their voluntary military service and desire to be recognized as American citizens.
Diana Dretske is the Curator and Lake County historian for the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County. Dretske has been researching the history of northeastern Illinois for over 30 years and has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Illinois State Historical Society for her outstanding contributions in promoting, preserving and commemorating Illinois history.