“Weapons and Tactics of the Civil War” will be the topic of a presentation by former Tennessee Board of Regents member Edgar R. (Buddy) Bowers at 7 p.m. in Foster 233, Monday, April 17.

Buddy Bowers

The event, sponsored by the History Department and in cooperation with Chemistry, is free and open to the public.

“The university is fortunate to have the opportunity of hosting such a distinguished guest,” says History Chairperson Jeff Roberts. “Mr. Bowers is a loyal friend to the university, which will make his lecture here all the more special.”

A fund was started in Bowers’ name last year for TTU to purchase books and memorabilia related to the Civil War while also honoring the former TBR member’s special interest in history.

The first purchases made from the Edgar R. (Buddy) Bowers Civil War History Collection Endowment will be in September.

Civil War artifacts from Bowers’ personal collection — including weapons and maps — may be displayed during his presentation, however, and will be exhibited during a reception in his honor at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 18, in the lobby of the Bryan Fine Arts Building.

Bowers has been active in many historical organizations and played a key role in the formation of the Nine Counties Preservation Alliance. He served four years on the Tennessee Historical Commission before accepting the TBR post in 1999.

After several years’ private law practice in his native Roane County and 30 years as corporate counsel, Bowers retired in 1999 as vice president and general counsel of Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.

“Bowers’ lecture will be a thrill for the History Department because the Civil War is such a tremendously popular topic, with so many fascinating angles,” Roberts says. “The Civil War will continue to be an important area of study for many years to come.”