SHILOH GUIDE SERVICES
145 Acorn Lane, Savannah, Tennessee 38372
Tel.: (731) 925-6410
Web: www.ShilohGuide.com
Ken Hansgen


Bio

A native of New Jersey, Ken Hansgen completed a B.S. in animal science at Rutgers University, then served 3-1/2 years in the Army.  His Army service included completion of the Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and a year in Vietnam as an administrative officer in a 400-bed evacuation hospital.  After earning an M.S. in zoology at Colorado State University, he worked 27 years as a public health biologist for the State of California.

While in California, Ken’s interest in the history of the American Civil War (or the War Between the States, etc.) grew from an avocation to a profession.  His studies led him to active membership in the Sacramento Civil War Round Table, the Civil War Skirmish Association (competitive blackpowder target shooting), and the National Civil War Association (reenacting).  He developed a keen interest in the Battle of Shiloh upon learning that his wife, Sharon, is descended from a farmer who lived near the battlefield and fought there as a Confederate soldier.  Since moving to Tennessee, Ken has served as a part-time volunteer at Shiloh National Military Park (NMP), has been a member of the executive boards of the Friends of Shiloh NMP and the Tennessee River Museum, secretary and immediate past president of the Hardin County Historical Society and is an active member of the North-South Skirmish Association and The Company of Military Historians.

Ken and Sharon Hansgen moved to Tennessee in 1996 to restore a 1901 Queen Anne-style Victorian home they purchased in the historic homes district in Savannah, 10 miles from the Shiloh NMP.  Here they operated the White Elephant B&B Inn for 6-1/2 years.  Their slogan, familiar to Civil War buffs, was “SEE THE ELEPHANT!”

Doing business as Shiloh Guide Services, Ken has conducted more than 830 guided tours of Shiloh and nearby Civil War sites for b&b guests and others, and also serves as a guide referral service if additional guides are needed.  He has served as a step-on guide for the Civil War Education Association, Delta Queen Steamboat Company and its successor, Majestic America Line, American Canadian Caribbean Line (now Blount Small Ship Adventures), Great American Tour Company, National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Penn State University, Ohio University, Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Hardin County Chamber of Commerce, Corinth Area Tourism Promotion Council, and numerous other tour companies and schools.

e-mail:  Ken@ShilohGuide.com						      1/4/2012)