A day at Monticello ... part 1

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
September 5, 2013

58 historical Virginia homes open free of charge this weekend

Virginia's Executive Mansion, Richmond

Free admission to select historic homes this weekend

This is a great weekend to head out and explore 58 of Virginia's historic homes free of charge. What a fantastic opportunity to get an up-close-and-personal look at the Commonwealth's Executive Mansion, Edgar Allen Poe Museum, the Dooley Mansion in Richmond's Maymont Park, homes of our historical figures such as Patrick Henry and Light Horse Harry Lee, taverns, the coast guard station in Virginia Beach, and many other homes and mansions from the coast to the mountains and everywhere else in the Old Dominion. Best of all, admission is waived Saturday and Sunday, September 14 and 15, 2013. The listing of all 58 homes is here.

Virginia is for history lovers!

From the Governor's website:

In celebration of the Executive Mansion's 200th Anniversary, Governor Bob McDonnell and First Lady Maureen McDonnell declared 2013 the "Year of the Historic Home." There are over 120 sites scattered across Virginia classified as Historic Homes that span from pre-Colonial times through the Modern era, all of which provide an abundance of cultural, historical, and architectural information and promote an understanding of, as well as an interest in, Virginia’s story.

To further promote the Year of the Historic Home effort, in the spring of 2013, seven historic homes across Richmond came together in a collaborative effort to open their doors admission-free to the public for an entire weekend to "Time Travel through Virginia History." Because of the successes and benefits experienced from the spring promotional weekend, the homes throughout Richmond are coming together to host this collaborative weekend in the fall, as are over 50 homes throughout Virginia. 

Exclusively during the weekend of September 14 and 15, 2013, Virginia’s most renowned historic homes and museums will be open free to the public, in support of theYear of the Historic Home. 

"My husband and I have been thrilled with the excitement surrounding the Year of the Historic Home," said First Lady Maureen McDonnell. "The spring success of the Historic Home Promotional Weekend in Richmond came as a pleasant surprise, and promoting this initiative in September as a statewide effort is extremely exciting and promises great results.  We encourage you to print your passport and visit these historical sites, which have been home to many of America’s Founding Fathers, U.S. presidents, and many other important figures."

A list of the participating homes follows as well as details of each home,and their hours of operation on September 14 and 15, please visit our Learn page. Please don’t forget to visit our "time travelers" page and print your passport in order to be granted free admission.

Harry F. Byrd, Jr. passes away at 98 ... George Allen remembers a Virginia gentleman

His name is synonymous with history and long-time Democratic politics in Virginia. On Tuesday the Winchester Star reported the passing of Winchester resident and former U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. The Star included an abundance of historical background about this man who, at the age of 98, is unknown to many Virginians but is firmly planted in the Commonwealth's history.

Another former U.S. Senator and Governor George Allen remembered this Southern gentleman in a press release on Tuesday:

“Virginia and America mourn the passing of one of the most influential, respected and principled leaders of the 20th Century, Harry F. Byrd, Jr.

“I will always remember his distinctive laugh and remarkably sharp perspectives throughout his long, meaningful life. The lasting legacy of Senator Byrd is his consistent, sound and unflinching leadership in working to achieve the ideal of a wise and frugal government. Senator Byrd was an independent, cheerful and amazingly insightful friend. I shall treasure his encouragement and counsel through the ups and downs of public service. Indeed, we emulated Senator Byrd’s example by returning unused Senate office funds every year.

“Above all, Harry Byrd, Jr. was a gentleman of impeccable integrity in all aspects of his life.

“Susan’s and my thoughts and prayers are with his children Harry III, Tom and Beverly, and the whole Byrd family, including grandson John who worked with me in the U.S. Senate. They are a wonderful, honorable family.”

It is, indeed, the passing of an era in the Old Dominion.

Grave of Patrick Henry's mother

Historic Winton Plantation in Clifford, Virginia.

Sarah Winston Henry, mother of Virginia Founding Father Patrick Henry, is buried in the family cemetery of this property that is now home to the Winton Country Club. It was sold to Mrs. Henry's son-in-law, Col. Samuel Meredith, in 1770, and she spent her last years at Winton. It is on the National Register.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 21, 2013

The Afton railroad tunnel story ... Sunday in Staunton

If you're a history buff (and I certainly qualify for that), the story of the railroad tunnel that goes under Afton Mountain between Augusta and Albemarle Counties will be presented this Sunday, November 6th, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in downtown Staunton.

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Staunton 

(Sunday, November 6, 2011, 3 pm)

More than 150 years ago about 2,000 Irish immigrants changed the face of Augusta County. For eight years they joined with over 100 African-American slaves and, by hand, dug 4,262 feet through the rock of Afton Mountain to build a railroad tunnel. When they were finished in the 1850s, Richmond was connected by railroad to Staunton and Nelson County and Augusta County were connected underneath the mountain by the same rock tunnel. Some of those Irish who constructed this engineering marvel stayed in the Valley and built a church -- St. Francis Catholic Church -- as well as homes and businesses. 

On Nov. 6 the story of those Irish, the African Americans, and the tunnel they built will be presented by the group Clann Mhór at the Augusta County Historical Society's Fall Meeting. The event is free and open to the public. For more information: 540-248-4151, www.augustacountyhs.org, email.  Details.

"Give me liberty ... or give me death"

Patrick Henry was a fiery speaker with perhaps his best remembered speech delivered within St. John's Church in Richmond. On the eve of the American Revolution, he took a public stand in words that still stand out today:

Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

Every Sunday through the summer there is a free reenactment of the Second Virginia Convention held in March 1775. Henry's immortal words were proclaimed in front of more than one hundred of Virginia's leaders including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Richard Henry Lee.

If you're going....

Where:
St. John's Church, 2401 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23223

Dates:
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sunday, September 04, 2011

Time:
1-3:00 pm

For more information check the website:  
Historical St. John's Church

Chincoteague Island ponies once again rounded up

Along the wind-swept sand dunes of Virginia's barrier island of Assateague in the Atlantic Ocean, the wild ponies roam as they have for hundreds of years. On Wednesday, however, they were being herded up for the annual swim across the channel to Chincoteague.

In 1925, Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department decided to round up the ponies and auction off some to help buy badly needed fire equipment. At the same time, it would help control the size of the herd on the fragile barrier island environment. The event, in conjunction with the firemen's carnival, was so successful that it became an annual event, reguarly drawing 40,000 spectators to watch the 150-175 ponies plunge in for the five-minute swim across Assateague Channel.

On Wednesday the tradition continued sometime between 10:30 and noon when the "slack" tide will make it easiest for young foals born in the spring to ford the channel. The first colt to make it to shore after the swim was tagged to be given away to a lucky winner at the carnival.

The event gained international attention in 1947 when local resident Marguerite Henry wrote the famous children's novel, "Misty of Chincoteague," a true story of a young brother and sister who grew up on Chincotague and raised money by selling clams so they could purchase "Misty," a young colt with markings on her side resembling a map of the United States.

Millions of visitors have since visited the area to see the ponies and the islands. The movie, "Misty," brought even more attention to the pony swim, an event that continues to be popular with tourists, residents of the island, and receives national television coverage.

The event is always held the fourth Wednesday in July.

Cross-posted at The Washington Examiner

235 years ago today ... "Give me liberty or give me death"

James Young reminds that it was 235 years ago today that Virginia patriot Patrick Henry stood in St. John's Church in Richmond and issued the words that still ring out today:

Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

The entire speech can be found here.

As a young student in Chesterfield, I memorized Patrick Henry's Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death speech in 4th grade while studying Virginia history. Those powerful words have stayed with me throughout my life.

On March 11, 2007, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling visited the SWAC area and I was the recipient of his "Patrick Henry Award," an award that was very special to me. Even today I am thankful to him for that moment in time.

Today the words still ring out, "Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?"

Those who walked before us light the pathway even now at this time in history....

Black History Month ... Booker T. Washington

"Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way."
- Booker T. Washington (1856-1915)
Educator, orator, and author

Born a slave in Virginia, at age 16 Booker T. Washington walked 500 miles to attend Hampton Institute (now Hampton University). He later founded Tuskegee Institute.

He once said, "If no other consideration had convinced me of the value of the Christian life, the Christ-like work which the Church of all denominations in America has done during the last 35 years for the elevation of the black man would have made me a Christian."

H/T to Home Educators Association of Virginia

"Restoring Virginia's Promise" ... Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's vision for the Commonwealth

"We face a number of very serious challenges in our state today. The responsibility of our administration will be to find solutions to these challenges and help restore Virginia's promise. It just seems like a perfect theme for what we need to do right now." -- Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling

With the historic inauguration coming up on January 16, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who won reelection to a second term in November, will host his own events. One of particular interest to many will be the reenactment of Patrick Henry's famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech at historic St. John's Church in Richmond on January 15, 2010. Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell will also attend the event.

For more information about the Lt. Governor's inaugural events, check out his website or contact Carli Mugford, Bolling's
Inaugural Director, at 804-612-9122 or carli.mugford@billbolling.com.

Our congratulations to Lt. Gov. and Mrs. Bill Bolling as they prepare to continue their work with the citizens of Virginia.

U.S. Navy Commander Tom Nelson (Ret) ... rich Virginia history

Commander Tom Nelson (Ret), U.S. Naval Reserves

The keynote speaker at Monday's Memorial Day ceremony in Gypsy Hill Park was Tom Nelson, someone well known to those in the SWAC area. Many know his son is active duty with the U.S. Army and has been to Iraq.

Few know Tom is a military veteran and has a rich Virginia background going back to the Revolutionary War. His fourth great-grandfather, Thomas Nelson, Jr., was a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, governor of Virginia after Thomas Jefferson, and Brigadier General of the Virginia Militia defeating Cornwallis at Yorktown on October 19, 1781. Tom often reenacts in Williamsburg, Yorktown, and other historical events, helping to bring American history to life dressed as Thomas Nelson, Jr.

Tom was born in Charlottesville, Va. He graduated from LaGrange College in Georgia and the U.S. Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Floria.

He and his wife, Poppet, live in Middlebrook in southern Augusta County. They have three grown children ... Major Tom Nelson, U.S. Army, Elizabeth of Purceville, and Jennifer living in Wales ... and have five grandchildren.

A retired U.S. Naval Air Reserves Commander with 27 years service, including six years active duty with one tour in Viet Nam, Tom went on to spend many years in public service with the U.S. Government until his retirment in 2002 from the Department of Defense.

His assignments included the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Office of the Secretary Defense (OSD), and the National Ground Intelligence Agency (NGIC). He has extensive travels throughout the world including Western and Eastern Europe, Far East, and a number of Middle East countries including Iraq. Noteworthy is his work with weapons of mass destruction (WMD) inspections.

He has worked for government contractors Battelle, BAE System, and now Knowledge Continuity Consultants (KCC) at NGIC.

He continues to be active as a member of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), the Page-Nelson Society of Virginia, the Middlebrook Ruritan Club, Kairos Prison Ministry, and as a chaplain in the Industrial Commercial Ministries (ICM).

His past activities include Civil Air Patrol, Episcopal church vestryman, Rotary club, the Historic Commission of Prince William County, and a Boy Scout leader.

Tom and Poppet Nelson attend Oak Hill Baptist Church in Newport, and are the owners/operators of the Middlebrook General Store.

On Memorial Day, Tom remembered American military members who had lost their lives in wars throughout the years.

Virginia Resolution of 1798

The following resolution was adopted by the Virginia Senate on December 24, 1798, as a protest against the Alien and Sedition Acts passed by Congress. It was authored by James Madison, in collaboration with Thomas Jefferson, who authored a set of resolutions for Kentucky.

Virginia Resolution of 1798

RESOLVED, That the General Assembly of Virginia, doth unequivocably express a firm resolution to maintain and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of this State, against every aggression either foreign or domestic, and that they will support the government of the United States in all measures warranted by the former.

That this assembly most solemnly declares a warm attachment to the Union of the States, to maintain which it pledges all its powers; and that for this end, it is their duty to watch over and oppose every infraction of those principles which constitute the only basis of that Union, because a faithful observance of them, can alone secure it's existence and the public happiness.

That this Assembly doth explicitly and peremptorily declare, that it views the powers of the federal government, as resulting from the compact, to which the states are parties; as limited by the plain sense and intention of the instrument constituting the compact; as no further valid that they are authorized by the grants enumerated in that compact; and that in case of a deliberate, palpable, and dangerous exercise of other powers, not granted by the said compact, the states who are parties thereto, have the right, and are in duty bound, to interpose for arresting the progress of the evil, and for maintaining within their respective limits, the authorities, rights and liberties appertaining to them.

That the General Assembly doth also express its deep regret, that a spirit has in sundry instances, been manifested by the federal government, to enlarge its powers by forced constructions of the constitutional charter which defines them; and that implications have appeared of a design to expound certain general phrases (which having been copied from the very limited grant of power, in the former articles of confederation were the less liable to be misconstrued) so as to destroy the meaning and effect, of the particular enumeration which necessarily explains and limits the general phrases; and so as to consolidate the states by degrees, into one sovereignty, the obvious tendency and inevitable consequence of which would be, to transform the present republican system of the United States, into an absolute, or at best a mixed monarchy.

That the General Assembly doth particularly protest against the palpable and alarming infractions of the Constitution, in the two late cases of the "Alien and Sedition Acts" passed at the last session of Congress; the first of which exercises a power no where delegated to the federal government, and which by uniting legislative and judicial powers to those of executive, subverts the general principles of free government; as well as the particular organization, and positive provisions of the federal constitution; and the other of which acts, exercises in like manner, a power not delegated by the constitution, but on the contrary, expressly and positively forbidden by one of the amendments thereto; a power, which more than any other, ought to produce universal alarm, because it is levelled against that right of freely examining public characters and measures, and of free communication among the people thereon, which has ever been justly deemed, the only effectual guardian of every other right.

That this state having by its Convention, which ratified the federal Constitution, expressly declared, that among other essential rights, "the Liberty of Conscience and of the Press cannot be cancelled, abridged, restrained, or modified by any authority of the United States," and from its extreme anxiety to guard these rights from every possible attack of sophistry or ambition, having with other states, recommended an amendment for that purpose, which amendment was, in due time, annexed to the Constitution; it would mark a reproachable inconsistency, and criminal degeneracy, if an indifference were now shewn, to the most palpable violation of one of the Rights, thus declared and secured; and to the establishment of a precedent which may be fatal to the other.

That the good people of this commonwealth, having ever felt, and continuing to feel, the most sincere affection for their brethren of the other states; the truest anxiety for establishing and perpetuating the union of all; and the most scrupulous fidelity to that constitution, which is the pledge of mutual friendship, and the instrument of mutual happiness; the General Assembly doth solemnly appeal to the like dispositions of the other states, in confidence that they will concur with this commonwealth in declaring, as it does hereby declare, that the acts aforesaid, are unconstitutional; and that the necessary and proper measures will be taken by each, for co-operating with this state, in maintaining the Authorities, Rights, and Liberties, referred to the States respectively, or to the people.

That the Governor be desired, to transmit a copy of the foregoing Resolutions to the executive authority of each of the other states, with a request that the same may be communicated to the Legislature thereof; and that a copy be furnished to each of the Senators and Representatives representing this state in the Congress of the United States.

Agreed to by the Senate, December 24, 1798.

Home School Day at New Market Battlefield

"To teach is to learn twice."
- Joseph Joubert (1754-1824), French essayist

Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) is sponsoring a free Home School Day at New Market Battlefield State Historical Park on Wednesday, March 26, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Join other homeschoolers for interactive guided tours, military drill, black-powder demonstrations, 19th-century crafts, storytelling, cooking demonstrations, games and period dancing, and much more!

At this HEAV-sponsored event you will get an opportunity to tour the three-hundred-acre New Market Battlefield State Historical Park, the 19th-century Bushong Farm, and the Hall of Valor Civil War Museum. You'll also enjoy scenic Shenandoah River overlooks, picnic spots, and walking trails. Be sure to bring your camera!

Although admission to the park is normally $9/adults and $5/youth, admission is FREE to home schoolers on March 26! Reservations are required, so be sure to mark your calendars and RSVP with the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park soon. Registration forms are available on the park website at www.vmi.edu/newmarket.

For more information, use the toll-free number 866-515-1864, or send your questions by e-mail to marshalltd@vmi.edu.

Today in 1781 ... surrender at Yorktown ... American liberty

October 19, 1781 ... the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia, and the end of the American Revolutionary War. Talked with a SWAC volunteer yesterday who was heading to Yorktown for the celebrations. His great-great-great-something was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and he carries on the tradition.

American freedom....