Noted historian and prolific author Tom Huntington will visit the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 W. Walnut St., Allentown, at 1 p.m. Nov. 19, to speak on his book, "Guide to Gettysburg Monuments."

That day marks the 153rd anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.During the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place July 1-3, 1863, more than 50,000 Americans were killed, wounded or missing in action.To memorialize the dead and to reconcile the sacrifice, a new National Cemetery was created at Gettysburg. Here the bodies, hastily buried in the sweltering summer heat, were reinterred."These soldiers were casualties of the greatest battle ever fought in the Western Hemisphere," said Joseph Garrera, the museum's executive director.During the dedication of the cemetery on Nov. 19, 1863, Lincoln was invited to deliver "a few appropriate remarks."The 16th president, a commander-in-chief with no speech writer, and barely 11 months of formal education, triumphed in history with words that some claim "remade America," indelible words that remain unsurpassed in power and purpose.More than 800 monuments stand today on the Gettysburg Battlefield, memorializing soldiers from all over the country who took part in that horrific three-day battle. Huntington explores the human stories behind those monuments. How did they get there? Who do they honor?"Huntington's book brings to life true stories of courage and sacrifice in the Civil War's most pivotal battle," said Garrera.Huntington has written four books and is the former editor of American History and Historic Traveler magazines. His articles have appeared in many publications, including Smithsonian, Air & Space, American Heritage, Invention & Technology, British Heritage and Yankee. Copies of his book, "Guide to Gettysburg Monuments," will be available for purchase, and the author will sign copies following the presentation.Event admission is free to museum and Lehigh County Historical Society members; nonmembers pay $8 for adults, $3 for children.The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum is a 30,000-square-foot teaching institution. Its collections of historical Americana include over 35,000 three-dimensional objects, 3 million documents and more than 80,000 vintage photographs. Parking is available in the rear of the museum, on the street, and in nearby lots.For more information, call 610-435-1074, visit

www.lehighvalleyheritagemuseum.org or visit on Facebook.