Austin Peay professors to participate in Fort Defiance Black History Month event

Photo of the 4th United States Colored Troops taken at Petersburg, Virginia.

(Posted on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022)

Clarksville Parks & Recreation will host a Black History Month event from 1-2:15 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, at Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center, and two Austin Peay State University professors are lending their expertise.

This free, educational event is open to the public and will feature the presentation “Your Story and Lives Won’t Die Twice” from the following guests of the Mt. Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society (MOCHPS) and Austin Peay:

Delton Wells, U.S. Army soldier and member of MOCHPS - How Black History Month started and why it exists
Nick Nicholson, president of MOCHPS - History of Mt. Olive Cemetery
Phyllis Smith, Historian of MOCHPS - Select civilian and USCT biographies from Mt. Olive Cemetery
Mike Taliento, director of grounds and preservation of MOCHPS - Why and how we preserve Mt. Olive Cemetery, both the grounds/facilities and the memories of the people
Eboné Amos, assistant professor of African American Studies at APSU and her dance student - Dance Interpretation: Lewis Douglass’ Letter to his Dear Amelia
Tyler Nolting, director of Education and Engagement of MOCHPS and assistant professor of public health at APSU - Musical reflection- “You Won’t Die Twice (A Salute to the U.S. Colored Troops)”
Larry Wells, board member of MOCHPS - Motivational send-off

“Most people are familiar with Black History Month, but not everyone understands its origins,” said William Parker, Historical Interpreter at Fort Defiance. “The goal with this event is to educate the public about the history as well as the importance of this special month.”

Tours of the Mt. Olive Cemetery will be offered following the event for those interested in learning more about the historic cemetery.

For more, visit .

About Fort Defiance

The Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center,, is operated by the Clarksville Parks & Recreation Department. The fort, which overlooks the confluence of the Red and Cumberland rivers, was a cornerstone of the Confederate defense of the area and an important part of the Union occupation of Clarksville. In 1982, Judge and Mrs. Sam Boaz donated the property to the City of Clarksville. In 2008, the City secured a $2.2 million federal grant that was combined with local funding to build the interpretive center and walking trails. The Center features exhibits about the local area and the fort during the Civil War.

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