Military Images brings Civil War history to communities—one subscription at a time.
The Kenneth J. Bertholf Jr. Civil War History Education Program provides free subscriptions to Military Images magazine for educational use at Civil War battlefields, historic sites, museums, and related institutions across the United States.
What began with 10 pilot locations—including Gettysburg and Vicksburg—has grown steadily thanks to generous supporters. Today, more than 50 sites participate in the program, helping staff and volunteers connect more deeply with the faces and stories of the Civil War through portrait photography.
We are always looking to maintain and expand the success of this program.
Each subscription costs $30 per year, and your your contribution places Military Images magazine into the hands of those on the front lines of public history. To support this program, please visit our store to fund one or more subscriptions.
Honoring a Passionate Collector and Supporter
When the program was first launched, Military Images reached out to loyal subscribers for support. Among the first to answer the call was Kenneth J. Bertholf Jr., a passionate collector of Civil War artifacts, a dedicated student of history, and a generous soul. Ken not only supported the program financially, but also believed deeply in its purpose: to place high-quality visual storytelling into the hands of those sharing Civil War history with the public every day.
Ken passed away in 2021 at the age of 65, leaving behind his beloved family, two books chronicling the history of his hometown—Blairstown, New Jersey—and a community of friends who admired his kindness and unwavering commitment to preserving the past.
At his memorial service, his friend Paul Denver shared a moment that speaks to Ken’s commitment and support:
“The latest issue of Military Images was prominently displayed next to pictures of his beloved collection. After the funeral, Don Carter and I spoke with his wife, Bonnie, who told us that she placed that same issue in Ken’s casket for his journey home.”
This deeply moving gesture affirmed what Ken stood for—and why this program matters. To honor his legacy, we proudly named the initiative the Kenneth J. Bertholf Jr. Civil War History Education Program.
Join Us in Sharing History
Your donation is not just a contribution—it’s an investment in historical education. It helps museum staff, park rangers, volunteers, and educators explore the personal side of Civil War history and share it with the public in meaningful ways.
Thank you for considering a gift to this important cause.
Program recipients:
National Battlefields, Military Parks & Monuments (National Park Service & Equivalent)
- Antietam National Battlefield
- Arlington House, Robert E. Lee Memorial
- Brice’s Cross Roads National Battlefield Site
- Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
- Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
- Fort Donelson National Battlefield
- Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park
- Gettysburg National Military Park
- Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
- Manassas National Battlefield Park
- Monocacy National Battlefield
- Pea Ridge National Military Park
- Petersburg National Battlefield
- Richmond National Battlefield Park
- Shiloh National Military Park
- Stones River National Battlefield
- Tupelo National Battlefield
- Vicksburg National Military Park
National Historic Sites & Memorials
- Boston African American National Historic Site
- Clara Barton National Historic Site
- Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site
- Fort Scott National Historic Site
- Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
- General Grant National Memorial
- James A. Garfield National Historic Site
- Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
State & Local Battlefields and Parks
- Bentonville Battlefield
- Columbus Belmont State Park
- Fort C.F. Smith Park
- Fort Delaware State Park
- Fort Fisher State Historic Site
- Fort Negley Visitors Center and Park
- Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield State Historic Site
Presidential Libraries & Centers
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Jefferson Davis Presidential Library
- Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center
Civil War Museums & Heritage Institutions
- African American Civil War Memorial Museum
- The American Civil War Museum
- Confederate Memorial Hall Museum
- Henderson County Heritage Museum
- Monmouth County Historical Association
Special Collections, Libraries & Archives
- Adams County Historical Society
- GAR Museum & Library
- Library of Congress
- National Portrait Gallery
- U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center
Other Institutions & Organizations
- Andersonville National Cemetery / National POW Museum
- The Army Historical Foundation
- Brice’s Crossroads Foundation
- Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
- Lomas Center Museum
- The Battle of Franklin Trust
