Monday, September 29, 2008

Sprited Tours coming!!

As darkness descends on Saturday the 18th of October, some strange but true tales will be told by lantern-carrying costumed interpreters roaming the streets of Old Town Manassas during special walking tours sponsored by the Manassas Museum.

The Spirited Past of Manassas Walking Tours of Historic Old Town Manassas will present the unusual, twisted or simply strange tales about people, places and disasters in the area. The stories have been gathered from newspaper articles, diaries, personal interviews, letters, and local gossip. Tours will begin at The Manassas Museum every half hour between 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM, last approximately 45 minutes, and are appropriate for all ages. The cost is $15 per person. At the conclusion of the walk, those on the tour can return to the Museum for hot cider and cookies.

Stories will include the great 1905 fire in Manassas, strange happenings at the Hopkins Candy Factory and other historic buildings in Old Town, and some frightening events at the historic Railroad Depot.

Advance tickets are recommended. Tickets may be purchased at the Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William Street, by visiting www.manassasmuseum.org or by calling 703-368-1873.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENT SCHEDULED

The Civil War returns to the C&O Canal on Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5, 2008, in the Cushwa Basin. Civil War Union reenactors will be encamped by the Conococheague Aqueduct to interpret the impact of the Civil War on the canal. The reenactors will present demonstrations on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, at 3:00 p.m. the reenactors will also play a game of baseball in the Williamsport River Bottom Park as soldiers may have played the game during the war. Reenactors from the 116th Pennsylvania and 95th Pennsylvania will be participating in the weekend.

These activities held at the Cushwa Basin are part of the Williamsport Harvest Hoedown being held in the Williamsport Byron Park on Saturday, October 4, 2008, in support of the Williamsport Food Bank.

The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau is sponsoring a trolley, which will run for free on Saturday October 4th between the Cushwa Basin, Byron Park and the Discovery Station Museum in Hagerstown from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Discovery Station Museum will have its new C&O Canal exhibit open for the public. The trolley will provide transportation for visitors to participate in the activities at all three attractions.

The C&O Canal was greatly impacted by the Civil War. The Union Army used the canal to transport troops and supplies. Confederate troops attempted to destroy the canal structures, especially during General Stonewall Jackson's efforts during December of 1861. The Army of Northern Virginia under General Robert E. Lee twice crossed the Potomac River in the Williamsport area, while en route to Gettysburg and again when retreating into West Virginia after this major campaign. Earlier, in 1861, Captain Abner Doubleday, known as the "inventor of the game of baseball," encamped with Union forces at Williamsport while protecting the canal. Doubleday's men were known to play a version of baseball in Washington County, at that time.
For more information please call the C&O Canal NHP Williamsport Visitor Center at 301-582-0813. For more information about the Discovery Station Museum, call 301-790-0076.

The C&O Canal NHP is Maryland's largest and most-visited national park. Headquartered in Washington County, the park's web site is: www.nps.gov/choh. Discovery Station is a hands-on science center, family-friendly museum located in Downtown Hagerstown at 101 West Washington Street. The museum's web site is: www.discoverystation.org. The C&O Canal NHP and the Discovery Station are members of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, see: www.marylandmemories.com.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

The Passing of John Y. Simon


Please see below for this sad news from the Ulysses S. Grant Association. Mr. Simon was an asset to the Civil War world and will be missed...

JOHN Y. SIMON
1933-2008


We regret to announce that John Y. Simon, editor of The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant and executive director of the Ulysses S. Grant Association, died in Carbondale on July 8, 2008.

For more than four decades, Dr. Simon oversaw the publication of thirty volumes of the Grant Papers and the preparation of Volume 31, which will close out the chronological series. He wrote extensively on Grant, Lincoln, and the Civil War, lectured widely to audiences small and large, and participated in countless roundtables, panels, and forums dedicated to examining that crucial period in our nation's history.

A founder of the Association for Documentary Editing, Dr. Simon helped modernize editing practices and mentored younger editors who sought a model for their own projects. He took seriously his role as Grant's editor, and viewed the Grant Papers as the equivalent of a portable presidential library. The project receives a steady stream of Grant-related queries, from journalists and local historians to children writing grammar school papers and callers hoping to verify a family link to the General. Dr. Simon treated all with dignity, humor, and respect. He had a loyal corps of admirers who sought his time for treasured conversations about history and a variety of other subjects, including his lifelong affliction as a Chicago Cubs fan.

Dr. Simon also relished his dual role as history professor at Southern Illinois University. Over forty-four years, his courses on the Civil War, Reconstruction, and Illinois history remained popular with generations of students, many of whom stopped by to see him years afterward on campus visits. He took great pleasure in these reunions and enjoyed introducing the visitors to his staff colleagues. His lectures were often humorous and sometimes pointed, livened by wry observations and colorful examples. He preferred to inspire as much as instruct, and he was never stingy with grades, but he left a lasting impression on his listeners.

John Y. Simon's well-honed sense of historical skepticism served him well in his long career. His skill and tenacity in questioning accepted truths and conjectured facts resulted in the exposure of more than one historical fraud, and taught those who worked under him an invaluable lesson in open-mindedness and persistence. He leaves his legacy on every page of the Grant Papers, in every obscure correspondent whose name and circumstances were painstakingly hunted down and verified, and forever preserved as part of our nation's historical record. He will be missed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All questions and inquiries related to the Association should be directed to:
Frank J. Williams, President
Ulysses S. Grant Association
300 Switch Road
Hope Valley, RI 02832
(401) 364-3642
(401) 539-7979 (Fax)

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

TAMING THE WILDERNESS

Check out the event below!!!

Please join Friends of Wilderness Battlefield
at Historic Ellwood

“Taming the Wilderness”
A Living History Event

Sunday, September 28, 2008
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

No Admission Fee-Donations Welcome
Enjoy craftsmen, artisans and specialists as they demonstrate the building trades and homemaking skills related to the construction of Ellwood and the settling of the Wilderness during the 1790’s. Special activities will occur throughout the day and will include:


Brick And Stone Masonry - John Friedrichs Of New Dimensions Builders
Hewing And Shaping Logs for Construction - Craig Jacobs Of Salvagewrights
Blacksmithing And Traditional Ironworking - Ross Sullivan Of Cherry Hill Forge
Colonial Foodways And Open-Hearth Cooking - Susan Titus
Traditional Brick And Plaster Work - Virginia Limeworks
Spinning And Weaving - Members Of The Fredericksburg Spinners And Weavers Guild
Colonial Furniture Reproduction - Traditional Craftsman Chris Kerr
Inn And Tavern Life - “Tavern Wench” Elaine Pratt
Frontier Life On The Trail - The Westmoreland Longhunters
Split-Oak Basket Weaving - Mary Lynn Rowland
Architectural and Decorating Details - Langley Freeauf
Children’s Games Of The Period - Fun for Kids and Grown-Ups Alike

Rain or Shine. Refreshments will be available on the grounds. Donations accepted.

Directions to Historic Ellwood:
Ellwood is located approximately 15 miles west of Interstate 95 near the intersection of Route 3 and Route 20. Follow Rte 3 West about 15 miles to its intersection with VA Rte 20. West on Rte 20 about 1/3 mile to entrance on the left.
Look for the brown “Ellwood” signs.
Visit www.fowb.org for more information about Friends of Wilderness Battlefield.


This sounds great!


Also, website problem should be taken care of this week! And the new issue will be out in October!