The National Civil War Life Foundation

Terry Thomann: Executive Director of the Museum and Foundation
An avid relic collector, Terry Thomann and his wife Jane opened the original Civil War Life Museum in 2001 in Spotsylvania County. The museum includes exhibits of all forms of Civil War life activities and specializes in the common everyday soldier. In partnership with the Center for Civil War Photography (CCWP), they added the "Civil War Life in 3-D" theater in 2005. In 2007 the Thomann's added a working Civil War photography studio using original and reproduction equipment and the original wet-plate process. Terry holds a Bachelors of Science in Professional Arts from the University of St. Francis in Joliet Illinois.

MUSEUM BOARD MEMBERS

Bob Zeller
As an author or co-author of eleven trade books, Bob Zeller is a respected expert in various subjects. His publications cover topics as widely varied as the Daytona 500, the photography of the Civil War, World War II memorabilia, and, now, slave life insurance fraud in 1860 America on the eve of the Civil War. In 2002, he co-founded and was elected president of a new non-profit corporation, The Center for Civil War Photography, Inc., which conducts annual Civil War photography seminars. Zeller is a native of Washington, D.C. He grew up in Hyattsville, Md., and is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

Jeff Campbell
With over 15 years of executive level experience in cable television and publishing Jeff is the Co-Owner and Associate Publisher of TravelHost of Central Virginia. He produces the regional edition of America's Number 1 Travel Publication, supervising the editorial, photography, design and working with local and regional tourism officials and preservation groups. He also developed, produces and hosts the weekly "Hometown Tourist Quick Take" segment on NewsTalk 1230 AM (WFVA), highlighting all that is going on in the area including history, events, features, the Visitor Spotlight® and the Hometown History Quiz®. Jeff holds a Bachelors of Science in Accounting from George Mason University.

Daniel S. Goldstein
As the Development Operations Manager at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum, Daniel is involved in the primary fundraising campaign for the museum. His duties include working with donors and prospects and as a program manager. He also coordinates donor prospect research and tracking. Daniel was also the former Director of Communications for The Gettysburg National Battlefield Museum Foundation and has worked at numerous other historical sites including Colonial Williamsburg. Daniel has also worked on Capitol Hill and in the Pentagon. Daniel holds a BA from High Point University in American History/Historic Preservation.

John Cummings
An avid historian, John is a native of Northern Virginia with a life long interest in the American Civil War nurtured by frequent visits to the Manassas battlefield in his youth. Since moving to Spotsylvania County in 1999 he has authored numerous articles for local and national publications in addition to his first book, "Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Court House." John currently serves as Chairman of the Friends of Fredericksburg Area Battlefields, Director of the Spotsylvania Battlefield Education Association, and was a former Chairman of the Spotsylvania Courthouse Tourism and Special Events Commission. He served as a historical consultant for the former Federal Hill Foundation and provided historical advice on two documentary films. Visit his blog at Spotsylvania Civil War Blog.

Michael Aubrecht
A local author and historian, Michael has dedicated his studies to the histories of Major League Baseball, the Civil War, and the Founding Fathers. He has published multiple books on the Civil War, as well as hundreds of articles and essays for Baseball-Almanac, The Free Lance-Star, Mort Kunstler Enterprises, Civil War Historian magazine, and Patriots of the American Revolution. Michael also hosts a popular Internet show titled "The Naked Historian." An experienced tour guide, speaker and radio guest, Michael co-produced the dramatic documentary "The Angel of Marye's Heights" and is the founder of The Jefferson Project. Visit his website and blog at www.pinstripepress.net.