Colonial Williamsburg is marking the 150th anniversary of the Civil War with a Presidents Day weekend conference exploring the events that preceded the conflict in the 1700s. The symposium is titled “Storm on the Horizon: Slavery, Disunion and the Roots of the Civil War.”

The two day event, scheduled for February 18 & 19, will use living history presentations and scholarly talks to examine the forces at work during this pivotal time in American history.

The event is organized in conjunction with the Chautauqua Institution and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Pulitzer Prize winning Gordon S. Wood will open the conference with a lecture on “The Revolutionary Origins of the Civil War,” scheduled for 6pm on February 18.

The first day of the event will also feature a historic area walking tour on the Civil War in Williamsburg.

Columbia University historian Alan Brinkley will present “How do Presidents Succeed – And Fail” at 12:30pm on February 19. Saturday events also include a 2:30pm living history presentation featuring the views of presidents Washington, Jefferson and Madison regarding union and disunion. At 5:30pm, a program will showcase enslaved black Williamsburg preacher Gowan Pamphlet, while earlier that day, at 9:30am, a living history program entitled “Promises of Freedom: From Dunmore’s Proclamation to the Emancipation Proclamation.”

Colonial Williamsburg tickets are on sale now.