A New Birth of Freedom: Norfolk in the Civil War

In the 1840 presidential election, Thomas Cowles was the first man in Norfolk to openly cast a vote for James G. Birney, the nominee of the abolitionists Liberty Party. Mr. Cowles was applauded by some of his fellow townsmen and friends, and this independent act caused much interest and discussion.

A New Birth of Freedom, the Norfolk Historical Society’s 2025 exhibition, explores Norfolk in the era leading up to the Civil War and the men who fought to preserve the Union.