About This Event
The Civil War in Hampton Roads and the Outer Banks
August 1st, 2026, at 1 pm
Speaker Matthew Ericson, Author & Historian
April 1861 marked the beginning of America’s darkest trial, and nowhere was its shadow more immediate than the waters of Hampton Roads and the Outer Banks. Author Matthew Ericson will visit St. Luke's to discuss his “richly detailed and deeply researched” book that highlights the untold stories of how the coastal conflicts in this area shaped the Union’s early strategy and turned the tide in a war for the nation’s very survival—a forgotten front that deserves its place in Civil War history.
Books will be available for purchase before and after the lecture in the gift shop.
Help us continue offering free programming with a $5 donation! Your support helps fund future educational programs and preservation efforts at our National Historical Site.
More about Matthew Ericson
Matthew Ericson’s passion for history was evident from a very young age; perhaps it has something to do with being born in Gettysburg. There was little doubt that he would pursue a career in history, especially with his history buff of a father, St. Luke's Executive Director John Ericson.
Matthew earned two degrees in history from Virginia Tech and Old Dominion. He worked in public history for nearly two decades at places including Yorktown Battlefield, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Woodlawn Plantation, and even St. Luke’s. For over a decade, he worked at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, where he created educational programming about the work of Congress and the history of the Capitol building. After 18 years in public history, Matthew decided to transition to the classroom, where he will be teaching West Virginia history in Berkeley County. He currently resides in Martinsburg, WV with his fiancée.
About This Event
The Civil War in Hampton Roads and the Outer Banks
August 1st, 2026, at 1 pm
Speaker Matthew Ericson, Author & Historian
April 1861 marked the beginning of America’s darkest trial, and nowhere was its shadow more immediate than the waters of Hampton Roads and the Outer Banks. Author Matthew Ericson will visit St. Luke's to discuss his “richly detailed and deeply researched” book that highlights the untold stories of how the coastal conflicts in this area shaped the Union’s early strategy and turned the tide in a war for the nation’s very survival—a forgotten front that deserves its place in Civil War history.
Books will be available for purchase before and after the lecture in the gift shop.
Help us continue offering free programming with a $5 donation! Your support helps fund future educational programs and preservation efforts at our National Historical Site.
More about Matthew Ericson
Matthew Ericson’s passion for history was evident from a very young age; perhaps it has something to do with being born in Gettysburg. There was little doubt that he would pursue a career in history, especially with his history buff of a father, St. Luke's Executive Director John Ericson.
Matthew earned two degrees in history from Virginia Tech and Old Dominion. He worked in public history for nearly two decades at places including Yorktown Battlefield, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Woodlawn Plantation, and even St. Luke’s. For over a decade, he worked at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, where he created educational programming about the work of Congress and the history of the Capitol building. After 18 years in public history, Matthew decided to transition to the classroom, where he will be teaching West Virginia history in Berkeley County. He currently resides in Martinsburg, WV with his fiancée.