EXHIBITS:

Now through Feb. 28 – Exhibit: “The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity,” at Thomas Balch Library. In honor of Black History Month, a new exhibit is being presented by the Black History Committee of the Friends of Thomas Balch Library, which will be on display in the Margaret Mercer room at Thomas Balch Library through the month of February, 2021. “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity” reflects the diversity of African American families through images of Loudoun African American families past and present. Artwork by local artist, Gertrude Evans, and related Loudoun publications about life and families across the county are also a part of the exhibit. Appointments can be made for Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10AM to 12PM, and 1PM to 3PM. Please call 703-737-7195, email balchlib@leesburgva.gov, or fill out a request here.

LECTURES, SEMINARS, TOURS & OTHER EVENTS:

 Ongoing at 9:00 a.m. each Saturday – Gettysburg (Virtual) Winter Lecture Series begins. These free digital programs will be broadcast every Saturday at 9 am from January 16 through March 27 via the Gettysburg National Military Park Facebook page. All presentations will also be archived on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/gett. Featuring National Park Service rangers and historians from both Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site, the 10-week Winter Lecture Series will examine some of the treasured artifacts on display at Gettysburg NMP and Eisenhower NHS. Together, the two parks have one of the largest museum collections in the National Park Service, featuring compelling artifacts that serve as a window into the past. “This is a challenging time for visitors to be able to explore the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum of the American Civil War and the Eisenhower Home,” notes Christopher Gwinn, Chief of Interpretation and Education at Gettysburg National Military Park. “Through this lecture series we hope to offer virtual visitors a chance to see some of the amazing artifacts that are on display and highlight the powerful stories they help illuminate.” For more information, see links above.

Wed., Feb.10 at 1:00 p.m. – Facebook Live: “Troubled Refuge” with Dr. Chandra Manning. Museum of Civil War Medicine Education Coordinator John Lustrea will talk with Dr. Chandra Manning about her book Troubled Refuge: Struggling for Freedom in the Civil War. By the end of the Civil War, nearly half a million slaves had taken refuge behind Union lines, in what became known as “contraband camps.” These refugee camps were crowded, dangerous places, yet some 12-15 percent of the Confederacy’s slave population took almost unimaginable risks to reach them, and they became the first places many Northerners came to know former slaves en masse. Ranging from stories of individuals to those of armies on the move to the debates in Congress, Dr. Chandra Manning in her book, explores what the camps were really like and how former slaves and Union soldiers warily united there to help end slavery, win the war, and forge a new version of citizenship that would matter not just for former slaves, but for all Americans. You can tune in live by visiting facebook.com/civilwarmed at the scheduled time.

Wed., Feb. 10, at 6–7 p.m. – “History in the Kitchen: Frakturs & Chocolate.” Sponsored by the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. During this virtual event MSV Curator of Collections Nick Powers will connect Valley Fraktur to modern Valentine’s Day traditions, then Laura Kerr Wiley, MSV director of community engagement and baking enthusiast will discuss the history of chocolate. She will demonstrate how to make drinking chocolate. Pay what you can. Register by February 9; register online or call 540-662-1473, ext. 240. You will receive an email confirmation with the Zoom link prior to the program date.

Thurs., Feb. 11, at 7:00 p.m. – Historians on Tap: Valentine's Day Special, sponsored by Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area. The Historians on Tap return for their first program of 2021! Romance is in the air, so grab a drink and visit the VPHA Facebook Page for a live, online presentation. For Valentine's Day the Historians will be sharing their favorite love stories from our area's past.

Fri., Feb. 12, at 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. – Facebook Live: How Civil War Medicine Killed President James Garfield. When an assassin’s bullet struck James Garfield in July 1881, the battle to save the president’s life began. In the weeks that followed, doctors argued over how to treat the stricken executive. In the end, Dr. D. Willard Bliss took control of Garfield’s recovery and controversy has surrounded his role ever since. Jake Wynn of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine will discuss the history of Garfield’s recovery and how antiquated techniques learned by Dr. Bliss during his Civil War experience played a role in James Garfield’s death in September 1881. Tune in live by visiting facebook.com/civilwarmed at the scheduled time.

Sat., Feb. 13 at 2:00 p.m. – Tour of Martinsburg Roundhouse. In-Person Event (Tickets Required). Please join the Harpers Ferry Civil War Round Table for a tour of the Martinsburg Roundhouse, 98 E. Liberty Street, Martinsburg. Roundhouse guide Mike Giovannelli will lead us through three buildings of the Roundhouse, share its rich history, and tell us about the preservation efforts and programs of the Berkeley County Roundhouse Authority. The 1866 B&O Roundhouse was built after its predecessor was burned by Stonewall Jackson’s troops during the Civil War. It is the only remaining roundhouse of its type in the world. Please reserve your space by contacting Chris Craig (christopherjcraig@comcast.net) or by calling (304) 433-1260. There will be a $5/person charge for this tour, all of which goes to support the property upkeep and programs of the Roundhouse Authority. You may park inside the Roundhouse gates, which will open at 1:30 pm. Though we will be mainly inside the buildings, they are unheated, so wear warm clothing. Due to COVID restrictions and concerns, we will require masks, ask that you practice social distancing, and may restrict numbers. Be advised there are no restrooms on the property. In case of significant ice or snow, we will postpone until Feb. 20.

Mon., Feb. 15, at 1:00 p.m. – Medical Care at the Battles of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. Education Coordinator John Lustrea of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine will detail his research about medical care at the Battles of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson on the 159th anniversary of the battles. During the program, he will outline the challenges facing the surgeons in the Tennessee countryside from snowstorms, lack of supplies, and more. Send us your questions in advance on Facebook or by email (john.lustrea@civilwarmed.org) and tune in to the Museum’s Facebook page for what is sure to be a fascinating conversation. During this FREE program, you’ll hear about different aspects of healthcare on the front lines and in hospitals during the most destructive conflict in our nation’s history that continues impact us today. We are here to answer your questions about Civil War medical care! Tune in live by visiting facebook.com/civilwarmed at the scheduled time.

Tues., Feb. 16 at 12 p.m. -- Virtual Box Lunch Talk: “Amidst the Mischief and Misery: The Story of Three Famous Civil War Caregivers.” Recently, Civil War scholars have finally begun revealing in detail how our colossal American tragedy turned the nation into a “Republic of Suffering.” Burt Kummerow, director of Maryland’s Four Centuries Project, discusses three famous Americans—Clara Barton, Walt Whitman, and Louisa May Alcott—who were eyewitnesses to what Barton called the war’s “mischief and misery.” Their brilliant accounts of the suffering they witnessed “brings the war to our doorsteps.” Sponsored by Historical Society of Carroll County. This program will be live via Zoom. Registration is required.

Thurs., Feb. 18, at Noon to 1 p.m – “Lunch & Learn: Storer College.”Join George C. Rutherford, founding member of the Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society, for a talk about the history of Storer College in Harpers Ferry, WV. Register HERE. (Note: Storer College may be of interest to our readers because of its connection to the founding of the Mount Sinai Free Will Baptist Church near Lovettsville; also, many black teachers in Loudoun County in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries were trained at Storer.)

Fri., Feb. 19, at 1:00 p.m. – Condolence Letters from the United States Colored Troops. Historian Dr. Kelly D. Mezurek talks about her research on death notifications for the soldiers who served in the United States Colored Troops (USCT). In addition to the official paperwork required by the Adjutant General’s office, officers, hospital surgeons, agents from the United States Sanitary Commission, clergy representing the United States Christian Commission, as well as fellow soldiers often wrote condolence letters to families of the deceased men. Collectively, these letters demonstrate that the health care provided to the USCT, although often inferior and discriminatory, was not always without sincere concern and attention. Letter writers shared how they attempted to procure physical and spiritual care for the injured and sick, and honored the soldiers for their military contributions and sacrifice. The epistolary exchanges also show how Black family members sought evidence of their loved ones’ last experiences on earth and demonstrate that many white northerners applied the same social importance to a “good death” for African American soldiers as deemed necessary for other Union citizens. Tune in live by visiting facebook.com/civilwarmed at the scheduled time.

Mon., Feb. 22, beginning at 11:00 a.m. – “George Washington and the Heritage Area:” Online Video Series. Visit the VPHA Facebook Page as we explore the Heritage Area through the eyes of America's first president. From his early days as a frontier surveyor to the American Revolution and the Presidency, we'll be sharing videos throughout the day in honor of Washington's Birthday. Videos begin at 11:00 AM and continue throughout the day. All videos will be available to view at any time after their release on the VPHA Facebook Page and our YouTube channel. Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association.

Wed., Feb. 24 at 1:00 p.m. – How Civil War Soldiers Sang About Wounds. Dr. Catherine Bateson talks about American Civil War songs that dealt with death, disease, and injury. The Civil War led to the creation of tens of thousands of original songs, and a surprising number talked about the experience of being wounded. Music was such an important aspect of the Civil War soldiering experience, but not enough attention has been paid to what meaning the soldiers placed on it. This conversation will highlight specific songs and what they can tell us about Civil War soldiers. Tune in live by visiting facebook.com/civilwarmed at the scheduled time.

Wed., Feb. 24, at 7:00 p.m. -- “The Tuskegee Airmen” with BG Leon Johnson, USAF Ret. In spite of adversity and limited opportunities, African Americans have played a significant role in U.S. military history. They were denied military leadership roles and skilled training, because many believed they lacked the intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism for such an endeavor. Before 1940, African Americans were barred from flying for the U.S. military. Civil rights organizations and the black press exerted pressure that resulted in the U.S. Army Air Corps forming a segregated African-American aviation training program based in Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1941. They became known as the Tuskegee Airmen because of where much of their training occurred. This presentation will give background on who they were and what the accomplished both during and after WW II. It will conclude by connecting the topic of diversity from WW II to current world events. Presented by the Army Heritage Center Foundation. Register here.

Thurs., Feb. 25 at 1:00 p.m. – USCTs at the Battle of New Market Heights. Tim Talbott, Director of Education and Interpretation at Pamplin Historical Park and National Museum of the Civil War Soldier in Petersburg, Virginia, talks about the Battle of New Market Heights. He will cover the Union army’s efforts to treat wounded United States Colored Troops (USCT) soldiers and white officers of the 3rd Division, XVIII Corps, Army of the James, who fought at the Battle of New Market Heights on September 29, 1864. During the battle, 14 African American soldiers performed courageous acts that resulted in their receiving the Medal of Honor. The USCTs took high casualties in their assaults against Confederate infantry in earthworks and supported by artillery. Learn about the various wounds these men suffered and how they were cared for in the aftermath of this often overlooked battle. Talbott’s role as president of the Battle of New Market Heights Memorial and Education Association has led to a number research findings on this particular topic. Tune in live by visiting facebook.com/civilwarmed at the scheduled time.

Programs Available online at anytime:

Video journey through the village of Aldie: A seven-part series. The Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area presents this series of videos that takes you through the village of Aldie, and highlights some of the most important people and places there. View Part I of the series here.

Byrd Center at Shepherd University Produces Series of Lectures on Struggle for Equality for Black Americans. (Virtual Programs, No Registration Required) The Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education has produced a series of six video lectures that explore the immense struggle to overcome systemic racism and achieve racial equality for Black Americans from the efforts to end of the institution of slavery in the nineteenth century to the enduring fight for equality that exists today. This highly acclaimed educational series of lectures is entitled “Of, By, and For All People: Congress and the Fight for Racial Equality in America,” and it is available now at no charge to the public on the Robert C. Byrd Center website. In keeping with the goals of the Robert C. Byrd Center, the lecture series focuses on Congress’ position at the center of historic debates on racism and equality in America, highlighting the instruments and institutions of representative democracy that have been crucial in our long national fight to become a more perfect Union.

The six video lectures are 40 – 90 minutes in length. They are “Slavery, Civil Rights and the Gag Rule Debates in Congress,” “To March Ahead of His Followers: Charles Sumner and the Civil Rights Act of 1875,” “No Innocent Bystanders: The Power and Responsibility of Local Action,” The Bill of the Century: The Epic Battle for the Civil Rights Act,” “From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime,” and “The Shame of America: the New Deal Senate and the Federal Anti-Lynching Bill.”