ASHLAND, Ky. ­— The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center is proud to announce the opening of a new exhibit, “The Civil War: The Gathering Storm, 1861~ 1862” in conjunction with the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War.

All over the country, museums, historic sites and battlefields will be gearing up for the next four years in making an awareness of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War.

Special events will be highlighted from 2011 through 2015. The new exhibit at the Highlands will host a pictorial review of events that lead up to the beginning of the Civil War called the Gathering Strom.

The public will be able to gain knowledge about events like the fight over slavery in Bloody Kansas, the Raid on Harpers Ferry by John Brown and the election of Abraham Lincoln to the bombing of Fort Sumter that officially brought the country into Civil War.

Also in the exhibit there will be a program showing original photos of the Civil War through 1862.

There will be on display original and reproduction artillery, firearms, uniforms and artifacts of that period. Also highlighted will be the Civil War in Kentucky and how it related to our Area.

Announcements will be sent out to all area schools and the public is always welcome.

The museum always welcomes artifacts from individuals who would like to either donate or put on loan for future exhibits.

The exhibit will open on April 12 and end Oct. 31. There will be future exhibits in the following years that will highlight additional events and topics of the Civil War.