Holly Wait led the National Civil War Naval Museum for 10 years. Her 'transformative' leadership, grit and humor will be remembered Thursday at celebration of life

Holly Wait lifts ribbon-cutting scissors and a glass after CSS Chattahoochee work (Terra Mare Conservation)

Holly Beasley Wait’s friendliness, good cheer and distinctive laugh were her calling cards, whether when talking to a stranger or working with colleagues at the National Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus, Ga.

When challenges came along, the museum’s executive director exhibited another side of her character: determination.

Such was the case when tragedy struck in June 2020. An arson fire roared through an outside storage area, severely damaging a unique component of the CSS Jackson and scorching the engines of the CSS Chattahoochee, the other key attraction at the museum in the river city.

Former curator Jeff Seymour remembers feeling devastated. But Wait’s mettle and leadership came to the fore, he recalls.

“She brought the team together and said, ‘We are going to get through this and go to the next step.’”

Wait, who was always thinking of the next step in improving the museum’s collection and outreach to the community, died Feb. 19 at a local hospital. Her unexpected passing has jolted the institution’s staff.

The museum at 1002 Victory Drive will host a celebration of Wait’s life at 6 p.m. ET Thursday (March 6). The funeral for the public historian, who was 64, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday (March 8) at Miles-Odum Funeral Home Chapel in her native Waycross, Ga.

Wait was at the helm of the National Civil War Naval Museum for nearly 10 years.

“Holly's leadership … has been transformative,” the museum says. “She successfully navigated the institution through financial challenges and expanded its national reach. The National Civil War Naval Museum survived the pandemic because of her leadership. The museum's visitation numbers have reached their highest levels under her leadership. Her innovative programming and vision have broadened the museum's appeal, welcoming diverse audiences to engage with and learn from its exhibits.”

Wait worked with the Navy to create an exhibit displaying artifacts from the CSS Georgia, a floating battery that defended Savannah during the Civil War (Propeller in photo, left). The museum acquired letters written by a Federal engineer describing the blockade of Charleston, S.C.

The executive director and staff organized countless lectures and a 2016 symposium, “Wrecks, Recovery & Conservation.” The speakers featured preeminent conservation experts who have been tasked with helping bring the stories of the CSS Georgia, USS Monitor and the submarine H.L. Hunley to the public.

Among them was renowned conservator Paul Mardikian, who has worked on numerous projects, including the Hunley and CSS Alabama.

Mardikian and Claudia Chemello, who formed Terra Mare Conservation, cleaned and treated the Chattahoochee’s engines and the Jackson’s fantail after the fire.

“Claudia and I remember Holly for her wonderful spirit, great sense of humor and infectious laugh,” Mardikian wrote the Picket in an email. “She was never fazed by a challenge and was a true advocate for conservation. Both she and … Jeff Seymour showed remarkable strength and resolve after the devastating fire that destroyed much of the CSS Jackson's fantail.”

Wait (center), Paul Mardikian (second from left), Claudia Chemello and Jeff Seymour, to Wait's left, during discussion about the CSS Jackson's fantail (Terra Mare Conservation)

The engines are now on display next to the hybrid Confederate gunboat.

The giant remains of the CSS Jackson, also constructed in the Chattahoochee River, are the star attraction of the museum.

Portions of the surviving fantail wood and armor plates are stacked below, awaiting possible recreation of the section of armor plating that protected the rudder and propellers of the ironclad. An engineer created a digital record that will guide a possible reconstruction. Funding has not been procured.

Wait helped ensure the success of the annual RiverBlast Festival, which features firing of a 7-inch Brooke rifle, and a host of events -- including car shows, barbecue tastings and paranormal tours -- that broadened the museum’s mission.

In recent years, the venue expanded its support of more voices in its lecture lineup, ensuring the service of African-Americans during the Civil War received its due.

Seymour, now curator at the Erie Maritime Museum in Pennsylvania, said Wait’s deep experience in nonprofits and museum led efforts to build attendance and financial stability, especially when the local government reduced funding.

“She would work diligently to make sure the books were balanced. We looked at new ways to fund exhibits,” he said. “Anything to become more visible.”

Wait relied heavily on her staff, according to Seymour. “She did not make decisions out of the blue, and we discussed things at length before anything moved.”

Among the initiatives Wait championed are two social media fixtures: “Curator’s Corner” and another YouTube channel focusing on Navy lingo over the years.

“The museum thrived under her leadership, but Holly was so much more. Holly was the kind of person everyone instantly loved,” her obituary says.

“I don’t think the next person will be able to fill her shoes,” says Seymour.

CSS Jackson fantail (left) before the fire, which charred historic and modern vessels (Picket photos)

The museum has not announced an interim director as it navigates the days ahead.

“Her leadership has yielded many benefits already, but the greatest rewards are yet to be seen, as she has initiated numerous projects that are still developing and expanding,” it said of Wait.

Wait had degrees from Valdosta State University and Florida State University and served at institutions in Georgia and Florida for more than three decades, including the Jekyll Island Museum, the Museum of Florida History, the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, Okefenokee Heritage Center and Beaches Area Historical Society.

Before moving to Columbus, Wait was director of the Pearce Museum, a Civil War and Western art museum at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas. She published four volumes of original Civil War letters.

“Notably at every museum she has dramatically improved both visitation and revenue, as well as upgrading their collections and facilities,” reads her obituary.            

Wait is survived by her husband John Wait, a brother and a stepson and stepdaughter.

Holly Wait takes a chisel to the CSS Chattahoochee engines after fire (Terra Mare Conservation)

Here’s what others who knew Wait and participated in programs at the naval museum said about her contributions. Some responses have been edited for brevity:

LAURA DAVIS, assistant professor of history at Columbus (Ga.) State University

Holly Wait was a dedicated and passionate public historian who not only helped guide the National Civil War Naval Museum through COVID-19 and other trying times but was the beating heart of the institution. She helped expand the museum's collection and programming, educating visitors on the importance of naval history. My students always loved visiting with her and I will forever be grateful for the warm welcome she provided me when I first moved to Columbus and shortly thereafter joined the board. Her spirt, determination and energy will be missed.

WILL HOFFMAN, director of conservation and chief conservator at The Mariners’ Museum and Park, which houses USS Monitor

I met Holly in 2016, when she organized the “Wrecks, Recovery & Conservation” symposium at the National Civil War Naval Museum. From my interactions with her over the years, it was clear that she was passionate about her work, museum and goal of ensuring that the stories of Civil War naval sailors will continue to be told. (Picket photo at 2016 program, left)

JAMES WELLBORN, associate professor of history, Georgia College and State University

I only recently had the pleasure of meeting Holly, when she invited me to give a summer lecture in August 2024. Throughout that process and in attending several summer lectures beforehand, Holly was incredibly welcoming and gracious with her time and incredible historical insights and perspectives. Such collegiality and congeniality is the mark of a truly genuine soul. She was a true champion of public history and will be sorely missed, not only at the National Civil War Naval Museum where she did such incredible work but in the broader field of public history. 

MICHAEL K. SHAFFER, Civil War historian and author

Since she joined the museum, I had the privilege of collaborating with her on several lectures I delivered there in Columbus. As a fellow author, Holly shared several valuable resources with me, which I incorporated into my writing. I will deeply miss her. Rest in peace, my dear friend!

The museum has established the Holly B. Wait Endowment Fund to support its mission. You can learn more here.

Flag that was part of Lincoln funeral events is on display in Ohio

There is a new addition to the Ohio Statehouse rotunda in Columbus — a 155-year-old American flag. It is part of a display of Civil War artifacts related to the Abraham Lincoln funeral train. The 36-star flag flew over Capitol Square in April 1865. The flag was then given to David Nevin Murray for his efforts during the Civil War. • Article

American flag that flew over Lincoln mourners in 1865 dedicated at Ohio Statehouse

The flag is 22 feet long and 9 feet high (Ohio Statehouse)

A large US flag that was among several that flew over Ohio’s Capitol Square during the April 1865 repose of President Abraham Lincoln was dedicated Monday morning in Columbus.

The family of David Nevin Murray of Portsmouth, Ohio, whose foundry and machine shop produced cannon balls for the Federal army, donated the 22 feet by 9 feet banner to the state in 2016. Murray was presented the flag for his contributions to the war effort.

The dedication in the Ohio Statehouse rotunda was held on the 154^th anniversary of the eight-hour repose of Lincoln’s remains following his assassination. The Statehouse was draped in black crepe on April 29, 1865, when thousands filed by the president's coffin.

This 36-star flag, made of wool bunting, was among several that flew in the square in Columbus for the solemn occasion. It will return for further conservation after its display for several hours Monday.

Burt Logan, executive director and CEO of the Ohio History Connection, told the audience that the flag is an important part of the state's history. But it saw happier times following the national mourning. In subsequent years, the family would allow the banner to fly at special events and be used in parades.

Conservators said 22,000 stitches were used to stabilize the massive flag.

Columbus was along the route of the Lincoln funeral train that left Washington, D.C. and passed through seven states, culminating near his Springfield, Illinois, home on May 4 for burial, according to NBC4.

"It is estimated that 50,000 mourners turned out at Capitol Square for the repose of Lincoln," Chris Matheney, historic site manager at the Ohio Statehouse, told the station.

This banner is one of the five depicted here (Library of Congress)

Mary Van Tilburg and other descendants of Murray donated the flag to the Ohio History Center. It had flown during numerous events following Lincoln's death but ended up in a Tyson chicken cardboard box in Oklahoma for 45 years before the family decided to have it returned to Ohio.

“I am just so grateful that it is OK and back home in Ohio where it belongs,” Van Tilburg said in 2016, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Conservators said at the time that the flag was in remarkable shape, though it needed some repairs.

Emma Lou Normand, a great-great granddaughter of Murray, spoke Monday on behalf of the family. "This beautiful Old Glory ... I think of family. Family that have gone on before, that are here today." She said David Nevin Murray came from Scotland and worked hard at his foundry and machine shop. To old to go to war, Murray "wasn't too old to serve."

The 1^st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A, a group of Civil War re-enactors, will provide an honor guard in the rotunda for a replica of Lincoln’s casket from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday.

Civil War-style funeral held for re-enactor

Tennessee Civil War re-enactor Colonel T. Michael Cheaves has been laid to rest with a 21-gun salute as family, friends, and fellow re-enactors dressed in period costumes paid their last respects. Since he was a retired detective from the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, he received another 21-gun salute. Cheaves was known for refurbishing saddles and training horses to prepare them for the sights and sounds of battle during events. • Article

At Andersonville, closure 150 years later

(NPS photo)

A simple wooden casket, covered with a U.S. flag and placed on a raised bier, bore witness for thousands of Civil War soldiers who died while under the guard of fellow Americans. Battlefields were the places for winners and losers. But survival was the only matter of magnitude at prisons in the North and South, the audience was told Saturday during the "Funeral for 13,000" at a national cemetery in southwest Georgia. • Article

Live blog: Lincoln funeral re-enactment

The State Journal-Register newspaper in Springfield, Ill., is live blogging and posting compelling photos from this weekend’s re-creation of the funeral procession and burial of President Abraham Lincoln, 150 years ago this month. • Article

Sunday's ceremony will recall 'Old War Horse'

The worn gray jacket of an unknown Confederate went to the grave with  Lt. Gen. James Longstreet, who died Jan. 2, 1904, in Gainesville, Ga.

This Sunday, Jan. 12, at 1 p.m., members of the Longstreet Society and Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp #1860 Blue Ridge Rifles will honor Longstreet at an annual memorial service at Alta Vista Cemetery.

The society defends and promotes the legacy of one of Lee's Lieutenants. Members believe he was the scapegoat for what went wrong at Gettysburg and the loss of the war by the Confederacy.

Longstreet, who for many years operated the Piedmont Hotel in the North Georgia city, was buried on Jan. 6, 1904. An honor guard, with horses, took his remains to the cemetery after two days of lying in state in the Hall County courthouse.

Sunday's ceremony will be highlighted by a rifle salute, wreath presentation and prayer, according to the Longstreet Society. The group says interest in the program, in its 16th year, has been growing.

Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Archives, University System of Georgia

 

The group will hold an open house afterward at the hotel, 827 Maple St., in Gainesville. The Longstreet Society is headquartered in the building. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served. Tours of the hotel will be available.  

Call 770-539-9005 for more information.

Funeral home will be built on Ga. site

The Jonesboro City Council cleared the way this week for a funeral home to be built on about 11 acres after a contentious fight to preserve what is believed to be the last piece of unspoiled Civil War battleground in the county. • Article | • Battle summary