George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War’s new director, Jennifer Murray, was introduced to the public in the Shepherdstown Opera House on Aug. 28. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War introduced its new director to the public, with a lecture in the Shepherdstown Opera House and reception at the George Tyler Moore Center on Aug. 28.

Jennifer Murray, who is a native of western Maryland, comes to the center with extensive experience as a historian. She holds a doctoral degree in 19th century American history from Auburn University, along with a master’s degree in history from James Madison University and a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Frostburg State University. She has served as a seasonal interpretive ranger at Gettysburg National Military Park for eight years and as a history professor for 15 years, at Auburn University, Coastal Carolina University, James Madison University, University of Mary Washington, University of Virginia’s College at Wise and, most recently, Oklahoma State University. Her first book, “On A Great Battlefield: The Making, Management and Memory of Gettysburg National Military Park, 1933-2013,” was published by the University of Tennessee Press in 2014, with a second, updated edition being published in 2023.

In her new position, Murray will be teaching and mentoring Shepherd University students, as well as running the center.

“When I interviewed for this job in the fall — back in November — the search committee members kept on saying what an outpouring of support and goodwill and enthusiasm there is for the Civil War center, here in Shepherdstown. Man, is that true!” Murray said. “I’ve felt that support since I started here in June.”

She said that, prior to seeing the job listing, the George Tyler Moore Center had already been on her radar.

“I have longstanding ties to this area. When I applied for the job, I had already been familiar with the Civil War center here at Shepherd, for a long time. I knew there was something special about this place and about this community,” Murray said. “The fact that Shepherd University gives the institutional intellectual support to a Civil War center is pretty special.”

According to Murray, Shepherd is one of five academic institutions in the country, that supports a Civil War center, with the others being: Gettysburg College, the University of Virginia, Shenandoah University and Kennesaw State University.

“There’s only a handful of academic institutions that have Civil War centers in the nation,” Murray said. “What we have here is very rare and very special.”

She made it clear that she is committed to building upon what has already been established at the George Tyler Moore Center over the years, since its first director, retired Army officer and former assistant professor of history at West Point Mark Snell, stepped into the position on Nov. 16, 1993.

“There’s been a lot of goodwill that’s predated me, that was poured into making this center exist and thrive and flourish,” Murray said. “I have the opportunity to work, in this position, with people I’ve admired as a young Civil War historian, for a long time. There’s a good tradition of public programming here — I definitely plan to continue that, along with increasing community outreach and student engagement. “

The George Tyler Moore Center is located at 136 West German Street in Shepherdstown, and is open by appointment or from Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, visit https://www.shepherd.edu/civilwar/contact-civil-war-center or call 304-876-5429.