Historic Effingham Society’s annual banquet has a treat in store this year. Dr. Benny Ferguson will discuss the music, musicians and bands of the Confederate States of America.

Ferguson is a 42-year veteran educator and educational administrator who retired as a full professor and dean of the Division of Fine Arts at Young Harris College. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Newberry College, the Master of Music degree from the University of South Carolina, and Ph. D. from the University of North Texas, where he wrote his doctoral dissertation entitled “The Bands and Musicians of the Confederacy.”

He is married to Betty Jean Gnann Ferguson, recently retired principal of Marlow Elementary School. They are the parents of two adult sons who live in Austin and Houston, Texas.

He will share photographs and instruments significant to the time period of the Civil War.  In this era before our technology and communications systems, the instruments rallied the troops and directed them in battle. They also were morale builders for the regiments.

The banquet will be held Feb. 1 at the New Ebenezer Retreat Center, 2887 Ebenezer Rd., Rincon. A social begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m.

Please purchase banquet tickets, only available in advance, at Effingham Museum, 1002 North Pine Street in Springfield, for $20 each, before Jan. 27 at noon. Tickets are limited, so purchase yours as soon as possible.

For further information contact Effingham Museum at 754-2170 or 826-4705.

This was written by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society. If you have photos, comments or information to share, contact Susan Exley at 754-6681 or email her at hesheraldexley@aol.com.