Civil War Roundtables (also referred to as Round Tables or CWRTs) are independent organizations that share a common objective in promoting and expanding interest in the study of the military, political and sociological history of the American Civil War.
There is no national organization to coordinate and publicize the activities of the individual roundtables, although most follow a similar format of holding a monthly meeting (some include a dinner on site or at a nearby restaurant) to make announcements about local Civil War history-related events and to host a presentation by a guest speaker (usually a scholar, professor, author or artist, park ranger, battlefield preservationist, reenactor, or other expert).
The meetings might also feature raffles, book signings, door prizes, auctions, fund raisers, and similar activities.
Many are IRS 501(c)(3) entities and accept donations or contributions that are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Since 2004, Matthew Borowick has been writing a column in the Civil War News about round tables.