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 hs been a member of The Company of Military Historians.  He is an active member of the North-South Skirmish Association.
 
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!”  Their old Victorian is now for sale.

Doing business as Shiloh Guide Services, Ken conducted 891 commercial guided tours of Shiloh and nearby Civil War sites for b&b guests and others (not counting the many free tours he gave to friends and family), He also served as a guide referral service if additional guides were needed.  Unfortunately, due to advancing Parkinson’s disease, he has closed his business and now refers future tours to others.
 
e-mail:  Ken@ShilohGuide.com					           Rev.  (2/18/13)