Monuments for U.K. Veterans of the American Civil War Association Attending Chalke History Festival
This summer, Monuments for UK Veterans of the American Civil War Association will be attending the Chalke History Festival.
The Chalke History Festival, now the United Kingdom’s largest history festival, began in 2011 as a fundraiser for a local cricket club in Broad Chalke, near Salisbury, England. It was the idea of history buffs James Holland and James Heneage, the founder and former CEO of Ottakar’s bookshops. Since its inception, the festival has grown significantly and is now known as the “largest in Britain dedicated entirely to history,” earning the nickname the “Glastonbury of history festivals.” The festival operates as a not-for-profit organization under a charitable trust called the Chalke History Trust. Initially a small event with just 12 speakers, it has expanded and is now committed to making history accessible and engaging, especially for younger audiences.
Last year, I attended the festival for the first time, and wow, what an amazing event it was! The festival covers a vast array of historical topics, making it a must-visit for any history buff. It hosts top historians and authors from across the historical field. Not only are there fascinating talks, but the festival also offers plenty of living history displays. There’s even a fantastic beer tent where you can unwind at night and discuss history with fellow enthusiasts.
Monuments’ co-founder Gina Denham and I will be attending this week-long event, which starts on Monday, June 23rd, and concludes on Sunday, June 29th. From Monday to Wednesday, the festival invites schools from around the UK to experience history, featuring a wide range of curriculum-based subjects delivered by some of the leading historians in the field. The rest of the week, including the weekend, is open to everyone, allowing attendees to enjoy talks, living history displays, and much more related to history.
What will Monuments bring to the festival? We will share the stories of the London Branch of US Civil War Veterans. We will host two talks a day, presented by myself and Gina. I will discuss Britain’s involvement in the Civil War, while Gina will share the stories of the London Branch, including her great-great-grandfather George W. Denham and John Davis. We will also present one talk together, discussing the formation of Monuments for UK Veterans of the American Civil War Association and take people on a walking tour of London through photographs, following in the footsteps of the London Branch.
Our living history camp will feature authentic Civil War tents, and we will display and share our research and knowledge of the London Branch of US Civil War Veterans, as well as the equipment that Civil War soldiers carried and used.
In conclusion, if you are a history buff, I highly recommend the Chalke History Festival. As a history enthusiast myself, I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed. You can attend for a day or a week, with plenty of options available. Be sure to check out the Chalke History Festival’s amazing website for all the information about talks and events happening during the week-long festival from June 23rd to June 29th, 2025.
Find more information on the Chalke History Festival here.
Sounds fascinating.
Some outstanding historians on the schedule. For those of us who cannot make the trip across “The Pond,” any chance these proceedings will find their way to C-SPAN, PBS, or other streaming service?