MONROE — The Green County Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting at 10 a.m. on July 8 at the Monroe Public Library.

Dr. Leslie Bellais tells the powerful stories of small objects saved by Wisconsinites as mementos of the Civil War. 

Leslie Bellais, Ph.D. has an extensive background as a curator and historian. Her primary expertise is in pre-1940 American textiles and clothing, but she also has experience with historical and genealogical research. 

She worked as the Curator of Collections at the Hershey Museum of American Life in Hershey, Penn. for four years and as Curator of Costume & Textiles (later renamed Curator of Social History) at the Wisconsin Historical Society for 29 years. 

She has a Bachelor’s Degree in historic preservation from the University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, Va. and Master’s Degrees in United States history from the College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Va. and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin is in United States history and material culture. Her thesis focused on textile sales in pre-Revolutionary War Virginia and the history and significance of late 19th century bustles. Her dissertation concerns loyalty issues experienced by Wisconsinites during World War I Wisconsin. As a student she interned at the Chancellorsville Battlefield and Colonial Williamsburg.

The meeting will be held in the second floor meeting room of the Monroe Public Library at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 8. Visitors are always welcome and there is no cost to attend. For questions, call Ginny at 608-426-1796 or Donna at 608-921-1537. The GCGS Research Center (located in the lower level of the Monroe Public Library) is available to the public for research each Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other times are available for appointment by calling 608-325-7436 on Tuesday or Bill at 608-325-2990.