The Uniformed Historian

10/05/2026

Come see me this Sunday to learn about a Yankee soldier who made Charleston his home after the war! 🇺🇸

Donny Jones, better known as The Uniformed Historian in the history community, will be joining us on Sunday, Oct 11th for Founders, Feathers and Flora. He will share the life story of Sergeant George Henneman of the 39th Ohio Infantry, a regiment comprised of many German immigrants and Americans with Germanic heritage. Henneman lived quite a long, storied life and was among Charleston’s final five surviving veterans of the Civil War.

Donny Jones is a graduate of Ripley High School and Concord University. He has been a living historian since 2005 and a proud member of the Sons of Union Veterans since 2012. Last year Donny portrayed Perry Gatewood, Sr. of the 13th West Virginia Infantry at this event. Jones has been leading monthly Civil War Wednesdays tours on the third Wednesdays of the month since July. He is scheduled to lead the next one on Wednesday, Oct 21st at 6 PM, if you wish to attend!

Founders, Feathers and Flora takes place between 1&4pm and features 7 reenactors, portraying people from Charleston's past, horse carriage rides as well as historical societies and nature experts. Come and take a self guided walk in the Historic Cemetery and soak in its special ambience.

10/02/2026

**October 31st at Noon**

On All Hallow’s Eve, yours truly will be leading the parishioners of St. Agnes Catholic Church on a brief walk through the Catholic section of Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum. Father Szabo will deliver a few appropriate remarks as well and we will conclude with a prayer for the holy souls in purgatory.

Although I am hosting this primarily for my church and my fellow Catholics, all are welcome to attend!



Photo by Brian KM

09/19/2026

Come one, come all!

We will be having a prayer walk through Spring Hill Cemetery November 18th.

Details in flyer below!

09/10/2026

Would you like to make an appearance at your next history-related function? Message us to inquire on availability! He’s presented to schools, libraries, reenactment events, historical societies, heritage organizations, even a farmer’s market one time! No event is too big, too small, or too random (but absolutely no nudist colonies… he’s the UNIFORMED Historian, after all!)

The Fall calendar is filling up quickly so to increase the chances he can make it to your event, reach out today!

08/30/2026

Today I had the privilege to visit historic Glenwood Estate on Charleston’s west side. It was the home of the Honorable George W. Summers II and his wife, Amacetta, during the Civil War. Enjoy!

The home of George W Summers II and Amacetta Laidley

08/20/2026

Thank you to all who attended our second monthly “Civil War Wednesday” walk at Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum! Our next walk is scheduled for Sept 16th at 6:30 PM. Hope to see you there!

07/16/2026

I recently did a professional photo shoot and would like my followers to pick my next profile pic!! Vote by starring your favorite images and that will be the one I select as my new profile photo!

Explore this photo album by Brian Marrs on Flickr!

06/21/2026

Happy West Virginia Day! It was so good to get out for a bit on West Virginia’s 163rd birthday!! I visited historic Henderson Hall for their Civil War weekend today and had a pretty swell time. Also ran into a Civil War Trails, Inc. marker and naturally had to snap a .

This was the home of George W. Henderson, a key player in the West Virginia statehood movement. Located along the main road between Parkersburg, WV, and Marietta, Ohio, thousands of Union soldiers camped and drilled here. Countless troops marched past this historic building during the Civil War years.

If you ever get a chance to visit Henderson Hall, definitely swing by. There is a fee to go inside but it’s worth the price of admission. Make sure they know sent you!

05/25/2026

Memorial Day, originally called “Decoration Day,” is about honoring the memories of the men and women who are no longer with us, especially those who died in service to our nation. Today we honor their lives across the country. I spent all afternoon yesterday visiting graves and placing flags, then ended my day with a moment of reflection at the Union Soldiers monument at the WV State Capitol. This memorial, sculpted by Roy H. Stewart, has stood proudly on the statehouse lawn since it was placed in 1930.

Also worth mentioning, he is facing the correct direction. “What do you mean by that, Uniformed Historian?” This very ground was part of the battlefield at Charleston fought in September 1862. The Confederate force advanced up the river coming from the direction of Belle and Marmet, thus placing this soldier facing the direction his enemy was approaching from. Also worth noting: a Union officer named Samuel A. Gilbert was not happy to be in West Virginia because he basically felt there wouldn’t be any glory to be won here. In a strange twist of fate, Cass Gilbert, his son, designed the Capitol that now stands on a battlefield where his father served the Union.



Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War - National Organization

05/21/2026

This is my latest acquisition to the Jones Family relic collection. I am particularly excited to share this one with you. In my hand is a standard issue tin cup which was dropped or otherwise left behind by a soldier on the battlefield at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, making this my one and only Gettysburg artifact! “But Uniformed Historian, how do you know that isn’t just some random tin cup pulled out of a dumpster or somebody’s grandma’s attic? Do you have documents to prove it?” Great question, and I am happy to answer. Paper documents… Not exactly. The word of one of the leading Civil War historians in the state, possibly even the country? Yes!

The origin story is a little blurry but what I can say with absolute certainty is this artifact was acquired by a gentleman named Dan Crowley, originally of Boone County, West Virginia. He ran a museum in Harper’s Ferry for many years where this cup was on display for tourists from all around the world. When he closed the museum, the cup changed owners, becoming the property of one of the most knowledgeable historians I’ve ever had the honor of knowing, my friend and renown author Terry Lowry. About 2 weeks ago, I acquired this from my friend, Terry.

Normally I would demand more concrete evidence and documentation before making a bold claim, but Mr. Crowley only purchased from reputable sources and Terry has absolutely no reason to lie to me. Therefore, I am confident this is a genuine battlefield pickup from one of our nation’s bloodiest battles.