Clara Barton – Civil War Nurse

Kingsport Cultural Arts and the Tri-Cities Civil War Roundtable are pleased to announce a Civil War Evening event for Fun Fest 2026.

The event is titled “Clara Barton – Civil War Nurse” and will be held at the Kingsport Renaissance Center Theatre (1200 E. Center St.) on July 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce or at the door the night of the production.

History will come alive in the talented hands of historian Leslie Goddard, who will introduce Clara Barton in this costumed portrayal. Barton founded the American Red Cross and was the first woman to serve as a nurse on the front lines of a battlefield.

Barton was a tireless worker who faced remarkable challenges in her quest to care for wounded soldiers. Learn about the medical conditions during the American Civil War and about the courage required for a woman who dared to brave the war’s front lines.

Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., is an award-winning actress and scholar who has been portraying famous women and presenting history lectures for nearly 20 years. Her portrayals have been seen by audiences in 18 states and include Amelia Earhart, Eleanor Roosevelt, Queen Elizabeth II and Louisa May Alcott.

Goddard holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University specializing in U.S. history and American Studies, as well as master’s degrees in both theater and museum studies. A former museum director, Goddard is the author of two books on Chicago history and currently works full-time as a historical interpreter, author and public speaker.

Kingsport Cultural Arts connects, coordinates and engages the public with a creative community. We operate the Renaissance Arts Center, the Farmers Market Pavilion, the Kingsport Carousel, the Carousel Fine Craft Show, Kingsport Public Art Program, Engage Kingsport Performing Arts Series and a broad range of support to the area’s arts organizations. KCA works in tandem with Engage Kingsport, Inc., the “Friends of the Cultural Arts” group, a private, volunteer-led 501(c)3 non-profit community organization. For more information, please visit www.artskingsport.org.

Founded in 1917, the City of Kingsport (pop. 57,500) is located on the Tennessee-Virginia border at the crossroads of I-81 and I-26 near the geographic center of the eastern United States. The city is widely known as a planned community, designed by renowned city planner John Nolen and wrapping around the foot of Bays Mountain – a 3,788-acre park, nature preserve, planetarium and observatory. Kingsport is recognized as an International Safe Community by the National Safety Council, a Healthier Tennessee community, and won the 2009 Harvard Innovations in American Government Award for its higher education initiatives. While many city names are duplicated throughout the U.S., there’s only one Kingsport – a fact that invokes community pride, known locally as the “Kingsport Spirit.” For more information, please visit www.kingsporttn.gov.