You are here

Ed Bearss, Past Chief Historian Of National Park Service, Dies At 97

Share
Ed Bearss, a former chief historian for the National Park Service, has passed at 97.

Ed Bearss, a former chief historian for the National Park Service, has passed at 97.

Ed Bearss, a former National Park Service chief historian with a penchant for Civil War history, has passed away at the age of 97.

Bearss passed away Tuesday, peacefully and surrounded by family.

The Montana native's Park Service career began in 1955 at Vicksburg National Military Park, where he served as the park historian. While there he was instrumental in locating the resting place of the Union gunboat Cairo.

A decorated U.S. Marine veteran of the Pacific Theater of World War II, he attended college and graduate school on the GI Bill before pursuing a distinguished career in the Park Service. In 1981, Bearss became the chief historian for the Park Service, a position he held until he retired in 1995. During his career Bearss completed several detailed studies for the agency and has authored many books. In 1990, he was a featured commentator on the Ken Burns' The Civil War.

As one of the powerful voices in that documentary, Bearrs brought history alive for millions of Americans with his deep voice and evocative descriptions, a style once described by the Washington Post as nearly “Homeric monologues.” Although a prolific author on topics in military history, including a three-volume history of the Vicksburg Campaign, Bearss was particularly dedicated to the importance of preserved landscapes and how they enhance the understanding of the past. He was among the originators of the modern battlefield preservation movement and a devoted tour guide, travelling up to 200 days per year into his 90s. 

“For those of us who value the preservation and perpetuation of American history, few figures are more revered than Ed Bearss. His knowledge, passion and energy were without equal, and he will be missed tremendously by so many,” said American Battlefield Trust President James Lighthizer. “Ed’s decades-long commitment to protecting special places and making the stories of our past come to life laid the groundwork for organizations like ours, which will embody his legacy for generations to come. The Trust — our board and staff, as well as our members and supporters — send deepest condolences to the entire Bearss family.”

Although he gravitated toward history at an early age, his passion was the Civil War – he even called his favorite milk cow “Antietam,” a release from the Battlefield Trust said.

After graduating from high school in 1941, Bearss spent the summer hitchhiking across the country to visit battlefields. Bearss returned home and, after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, followed in the footsteps of his father and Medal of Honor–recipient older cousin to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. He left for the South Pacific in mid-July 1942 but was severely wounded on January 2, 1944, during the Battle of Suicide Creek on the island of New Britain, injuries that limited his dexterity for the remainder of his life.

Bearss was perhaps the greatest battlefield guide to ever walk a historic landscape, the release added. Writing in Smithsonian Magazine in 2005, author Adam Goodheart described his presentation style as being a “battlefield voice, a kind of booming growl, like an ancient wax-cylinder record amplified to full volume—about the way you'd imagine William Tecumseh Sherman sounding the day he burned Atlanta, with a touch of Teddy Roosevelt charging up San Juan Hill.”

At the request of the Bearss Family, in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ed Bearss may be made to the American Battlefield Trust. Recognizing the special place that these battlefields held in his heart, such gifts will be used to secure additional lands associated with the Vicksburg Campaign. Please visit www.battlefields.org/RememberingBearss for more information. 

Comments

From all reports, a ife well lived.


As I see and reflect the Civil War film by Ken Burns, I have to say the excitment that Prof. Bearss narrates Civil War events is unmatched throughout the whole documentary. He showed passion in history, using high and low voice tones, facial and hand gestures that gave the events a series of orchestral importance; so those listening to him, enjoyed a rythnm of unfolding social events. The US has lost a great historian...R.I.P. Prof. Ed Bearss.


One less "torch bearer" for CW history! But I can hear Ed leading tours in heaven now! Side by side with CW soldiers helping with the details. His energy and zeal will be missed.

From one old Jarhead to another, Semper Fidelis, Ed!

 

 

 


A lamp in the field of military historians has been extinguished, and we shall not see it lit again in our lifetimes."

The world is poorer for Ed's departure, and we shall not see his like pass this way again.==AC

 


As a young Park Ranger in 1986, a chance discussion with Ed Bearss led to a summer of lunch time discussions of the Civil War in Washington.  Standing at Arlington house he laid out in vivid detail the camps and defenses surrounding Washington.  Years later I ran into him at various times. He recognized me every time as though we had talked the day before.  A charming person who influenced my love of history and career choices. 


I had the pleasure of attending a lecture in a small group in Lenoir, NC, many years ago.  A delightful speaker, I was spellbound by Mr. Bearss, as we all were.  He will be missed, a true National treasure.


I was fortunate enough to tour several battlefields with Bears Brigade. One of my favorite memories was of Ed, swagger stick in hand, chasing a rather sketchy looking groundhog away while we were following Pickets charge. I learned so much from him.


I travelled with Ed on many tours, Civil War and others.  He brought history alive rarely needing any notes.  Truly a gentleman and scholar (although at times he was a character).  A life well lived.  Ed, thanks for enriching my life and the lives of so many others. 


Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.