Background
Working with historical groups and colleges the Civil War Centennial Commission of
California sought to promote an understanding of the Civil War with programs, pageants,
and special events. William Shaw, from the Commission, came to Stockton, at the request
of R.R. Stuart, Director of the California History Foundation, to help establish a local
Civil War Round Table. Faculty at the University of the Pacific and individuals in the
Lodi/Stockton area then formed a chapter of the Civil War Round Table Association (1962).
According to the Sacramento Articles of Incorporation the groups were formed to
perpetuate an interest in the Civil War by every appropriate means: to further the
collection of Civil War relics; to extend the preservation of records of the Civil War
and the perfection of accurate information as to such records; to encourage trips by
interested individuals to locations linked to the Civil War; to bring to the organization
members, speakers and lecturers; and to encourage dramas or plays.