Next in the Lovettsville Historical Society
Lecture Series
Rebecca and Thomas,
A Civil War Spy Tale
A Play in One Act, Written by Sharon Dixon
Sunday, July 8, 2018 @ 2:00 pm
In September 1864, Thomas Laws, a slave from Clarke County, collaborated with Rebecca Wright, a Quaker school teacher in Winchester, to deliver vital military information to Union General Philip Sheridan. This information helped lead to a decisive Union victory at the Third Battle of Winchester, the largest battle ever fought in the Shenandoah Valley, on September 19, 1864. The battle was the beginning of a string of Union victories that gave the Federals permanent control of the Valley (and Winchester) and helped ensure Abraham Lincoln’s reelection that November.
On Sunday, July 8, the Lovettsville Historical Society will present a reading of "Rebecca and Thomas: A Civil War Spy Tale,” a play written by Winchester resident Sharon Dixon. This will be the first time the play has been presented in Loudoun County.
Rebecca Wright started teaching in Winchester at age 15, but when she was 16 years old, she took a year’s course of study at the Friends School in Goose Creek, Loudoun County, taught by Samuel Janney. She then returned to Winchester where she taught at the Friends school, and later at private schools.
In need of intelligence about Confederate troop movements in and around occupied Winchester, Union General Philip Sheridan learned of Miss Wright’s loyalties, and asked her for information about Gen. Jubal Early’s movements, telling her that Thomas Laws would carry her reply to Union troops. Meanwhile, Laws had been contacted by Union scouts, and was asked to make contact with Miss Wright. The information provided by Miss Wright and carried by Mr. Laws was crucial to Sheridan’s decision to attack in Winchester a few days later.
Years after the war, when Sheridan was asked about Rebecca Wright’s contribution to the Union, he answered: “That woman was worth a whole brigade of soldiers and several batteries of artillery down in the Winchester campaign, and she was one of the genuine heroines of the war.”
Although Rebecca Wright’s story is fairly well-known, little was known about Thomas Laws until recently. William Austin, a volunteer historian at Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Park in Middletown VA, conducted extensive research on Laws, and has written an article on Laws which has been published by the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society.
Mr. Austin will speak about his research on Thomas Laws following the presentation of the play on July 8.
1866: Change, Resistance, and Uncertainty in the Northern Virginia Piedmont
Richard T. Gillespie, then-Executive Director of the Mosby Heritage Area Association, kicked off the Lovettsville Historical Society's 2016 Lecture Series with a presentation on Civil War-related events in our area, 150 years prior.
Gillespie Takes Listeners Back to 1865-1866 by John P. Flannery
On Sunday, [Feb. 14, 2016], Richard Gillespie, [then] Executive Director of the Mosby Heritage Area Association, caused the St. James Church in Lovettsville, Virginia to fill up with eager listeners. Parked cars lined up and down the nearby streets, their occupants inside the church to hear Richard tell what it was like the morning after President Abraham Lincoln was shot at Ford's Theater in Washington, DC.
Ed Spannaus, the Vice President of the Lovettsville Historical Society, introduced Richard, who the spoke about the change, the terrible resistance and the uncertainty that came after the Civil War ended and after President Lincoln was assassinated.
This was a sixth in a series of talks that Richard has delivered, with ever larger audiences each time. The premise of his most recent talk was this: "If we want to understand the history of a region, its the historical sites that allow us to tell the story."
Drawing on a tradition of Native Americans who mark paths to spur stories about past events, Richard said, the monuments and places we have preserved"enable us to remember, and to pass on." To sum it up, Richard said, it was a difficult adaptiation we had to make after the war."
On March 1, 1862, Lovettsville saw its first Confederate soldiers ...
Above: Historian Richard Gillespie discussing what it was like in Loudoun County, Virginia in 1865, when the Civil War ended. Below: The crowd watched, listened and even took notes as Richard Gillespie spoke on Feb. 18, 2016. Photos by John Flannery.
Article originally published on February 18, 2016
by theBrunswick Citizen. Reprinted with permission.
Photographed 103 years ago, St. James United Church of Christ, former St. James parsonage, and former Hickman house, are depicted on a vintage postcard, postmarked 1915. According to the book Lovettsville, the German Settlement by Yetive Weatherly, "St. James is the oldest church of German Reformed origin in the tri-state area of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia...The St. James congregation predates the American Revolution by more than 40 years." There are very few extant early-1900s photographs of downtown Lovettsville.
August 12, 2018 - "The Last Lynching in Northern Virginia: Seeking Truth at Rattlesnake Mountain." Jim Hall explores lynchings that occurred in Virginia, including one of the most puzzling, a 1932 incident in Fauquier County, when Shedrick Thompson, a fugitive accused of assault and rape, was captured and hanged by his neighbors on Rattlesnake Mountain. The official verdict was that Thompson committed suicide, but Hall builds the case for murder while exposing a complex and disturbing chapter in Virginia history.
Sept. 16, 2018 - Antietam Shadows: Mystery, Myth & Machination. Dennis E. Frye, Chief Historian at Harpers Ferry NHP,warns us in this, his newest book, that history is the original "fake news." A professional historian himself for the last forty years, Dennis has evolved from a youthful worshipper of history into a respected skeptic who has devoted his career to challenging historians, especially within the Civil War genre. Dennis Frye is known for challenging convention and sparking provocation. Antietam Shadowsturns much of what you think you know inside-out and upside-down.
Oct. 14, 2018 - "Dr. James Willard and Willard Hall in Lovettsville."Willard Hall, the stately brick building on Pennsylvania Avenue, (Lot 23 in the 1876 Plat of Lovettsville), is one of the oldest dwellings in Lovettsville, likely dating to the 18th century. In 1868 it was purchased by Dr. James Willard, an Army surgeon who served with the 13th Maryland Infantry (USA), also known as the Potomac Home Brigade.
Lovettsville Historical Society 2018 History Award Presented to Caroline Tuttle
Caroline Tuttle was this year's winner of the Annual Lovettsville Historical Society Award, presented at the graduation ceremonies for the 5th grade class at Lovettsville Elementary School on June 13. Caroline is shown with LHS Vice-President Ed Spannaus, and President Fred Lee George III.
Through July 31: “Exhibit: Civil War Artifacts,” by John Creamer. Margaret Mercer Room, Thomas Balch Library, 208 W Market St., Leesburg, VA.
Each Fri.-Sat.-Sun. through Sept. 2 – “The Life of a C&O Canal Lock-Keeper.” Enjoy special programming at the @COcanalNPS in #WilliamsportMD this summer. Escape to the past and learn about the life of a lock keeper at Lock 44 from 1:15-4:15pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
June 29-July 1 - “To Garrison the Fort." Visit a fort that was in use from the French and Indian War to the Civil War; see a weekend program that tells the story of the nearly 1,200 British prisoners that were housed at the fort during the American Revolution. Fort Frederick State Park, 11100 Fort Frederick Rd., Big Pool, MD 21711. 301-842-2155.
Sat., June 30 at 10:00 am – Discovering Maryland's Civil War Trails and History.Visit the Mason-Dixon Welcome Center-- only one mile south of Gettysburg-- to meet author and historian Charles W. Mitchell and learn about Maryland's Civil War Trails. Mason-Dixon Welcome Center, 17300 Catoctin Mountain Highway, Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Website 410-807-1906.
Tues., July 3, 5:30-9:30 pm – Lovettsville Independence Day Parade & Fireworks. The Town of Lovettsville has a tradition of celebrating a day early. A hometown parade kicks off the celebration. Hosted by the Lovettsville Community Center Advisory Board, the parade will include floats, tractors, go-karts, bicycles, fire engines and more. A replica Stanley Cup will also be featured in the parade to commemorate the Washington Capitals’ first ever championship and the town’s former name of Capitalsville. Awesome fireworks top off the evening. For more information or to register a float, call 540-822-5284 or email lovcc@loudoun.gov.
Sat., July 7 through Nov. 1 – “Rebels and Ransoms: Confederate Retribution.”Monocacy National Battlefield will be opening a new exhibit that examines the towns ransomed by Confederate General Jubal Early in the summer of 1864. For the first time ever, artifacts related to the ransoms of Frederick, Hagerstown, Middletown and Chambersburg will be brought together to explore the economic burden put on civilians in the wake of Early’s campaign. The exhibit will contain the trunks and baskets that ransom monies were gathered in to be given to the Confederate Army, or in the case of Chambersburg, secreted away. The original ransom documents of Middletown and Frederick will be on display as well as personal items that melted in the fire as a result of Chambersburg’s not paying their ransom. The exhibit will explore some of the more personal stories that are often overshadowed by the military campaign to reveal a resilient people who literally lived in the border between the North and South and had their lives and livelihoods overturned during the Civil War. Monocacy National Battlefield, 5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD 21704. Website 301-662-3515.
Sat., July 7, at 3:00 pm - “Aftermath: Reconstruction in Downtown Frederick.”Explore how Reconstruction impacted the citizens of Frederick, Maryland on a unique historic walking tour. As the Civil War came to an end and Frederick celebrated with fireworks and parades, the next chapter in the city’s history opened. As soldiers from Union and Confederate armies returned to their homes, they came back to a city wholly changed by war. Slavery had been outlawed, the countryside around Frederick had been raided and ravaged by war, and the city’s traditional political system overturned. Jake Wynn (NMCWM) and Emily Huebner (Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area) will tell the seldom told story of Frederick during Reconstruction and detail the lives of those who lived through the era that reshaped Frederick, the state of Maryland, and the entire nation. This tour will take place on the First Saturday in July at 3 PM. This will be a “pay-what-you-please” program. Early registration is encouraged. National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 East Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701. Website 301-695-1864.
Sat. and Sun., July 7 & 8 – 154th Anniversary of the Battle of Monocacy.Join Monocacy National Battlefield as they commemorate the 154th anniversary of the Battle of Monocacy with military and civilian living history encampments. There will be hands-on activities for kids of all ages. Learn about the battle through orientation talks at 9:30 am, 11:30 am, and 2:30 pm. Gain an understanding of historic small arms and field artillery by attending firing demonstrations: Infantry at 10:00 am, 12:30 pm, & 3:00 pm and artillery at 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, & 3:30 pm.Monocacy National Battlefield, 5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD 21704. Website 301-662-3515.
Monday, July 9, at 9:00 am – Monocacy National Battlefield Auto Tour. The Monocacy National Battlefield ranger staff will be leading a car caravan tour of the battlefield on the anniversary day of the battle! Hear the personal experiences of both soldiers and civilians on that blisteringly hot and violent day and walk in the footsteps of the men who fought valiantly to safeguard their homes and country. Monocacy National Battlefield Visitors Center, 5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD 21704. Website 301-662-3515.
Sat., July 14, 11:00 am–3:00 pm – Jefferson County Museum Children’s Day.The Jefferson County Museum is hosting a free Children’s Day, with free admission for children and participating caregivers. The event will include a variety of hands-on crafts and activities for children of all ages to learn about 19th and early 20th century communication, entertainment, industry, and household work. Participants can learn how to buy dry goods at an old-fashioned “general store,” play with assorted vintage toys, use typewriters, participate in a mock archaeological dig, and more. Jefferson County Museum. 200 East Washington Street, Charles Town, WV 25414. jeffcomuseumwv.org
Sat. & Sun. July 21 & 22, 11:00 am – “I Will Follow Them to the Death”: Sheridan’s Soldiers, 1864. See Harpers Ferry as the staging ground for Union General Philip Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign during the summer of 1864. The event is free, though park entrance fees apply. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Website 304-535-6029.
Lovettsville Union Cemetery Database
Don and Ardele Lockwood were recent visitors to the Lovettsville Historical Society & Museum. They came in seeking information on Ardele's genealogy, and finished their journey with a bonus guided tour of nearby Lovettsville Union Cemetery. Museum docent and researcher Mike Zapf used a cemetery map and an index of interments to locate Ardele's ancestors in the Case and Crim families, so that she could lay flowers on their graves. Our museum, located at 4 East Pennsylvania Ave., is open Saturdays 1:00-4:00 or by appointment.
Lovettsville Union Cemetery has launched a website which makes it easier for the public to obtain more information about this beautiful and historic cemetery. The website features a searchable directory of the interred, and a special list just for veterans. An included cemetery map will assist anyone seeking to find a particular grave site. Information on lot pricing and purchasing, Cemetery By-Laws, rules and regulations are on the site. Union Cemetery is located at the New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, just south of town at 12930 Lutheran Church Road, Lovettsville, VA 20180. Learn more at www.LovettsvilleUnionCemetery.org.
Upcoming Special Event
Book Talk & Signing at the Lovettsville Museum
With Vicki Lemp Weavil
Former Lovettsville Resident Finds Success as an Author
Ms. Weavil, under her penname Victoria Gilbert, will present a book talk about her Blue Ridge Library Mystery series onSunday, July 29th at 2:00 pmat the Lovettsville Historical Society and Museum, 4 East Pennsylvania Ave., Lovettsville, VA 20180.
If you’ve ever dreamed of fulfilling a lifelong goal, no matter your age, then Vicki L. Weavil, who writes under the penname Victoria Gilbert, is proof that it’s possible.
Ms. Weavil, who was raised in Lovettsville and graduated from Loudoun Valley High School (under her maiden name, Vicki Lemp), spent almost thirty years working as a librarian before she decided to pursue a second career as a writer. Although she’d always dreamed of being a published author, she spent most of her working life focused on her family and her library career. Then, at the age of 56, she decided to do one simple thing—write a novel just to fulfill her lifelong goal. She initially didn’t seek publication, but after completing three books she decided to take the plunge into the professional book world. Surprisingly, she was not only able to obtain a NYC-based agent, but also a publication deal with a small press for one of her fantasy novels. Five years and a new agent later, she shifted her focus to mysteries and has since achieved commercial success and acclaim with her Blue Ridge Library Mystery series.
Ms. Weavil, who believes it’s “never too late” to pursue one’s dreams, attributes some of this success to the old adage, “Write what you know.” Although the small town in her mystery series is fictional it resembles Lovettsville, Waterford, Taylorstown and other Loudoun County environs and is based on Ms. Weavil’s experiences of the area. She also uses her career background to present an authentic, non-stereotypical, librarian protagonist and accurate details of library work.
Proving good things come to those who dream, Sony Pictures Television has optioned the first two books in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series. Published by Crooked Lane Books, all books are available in hardback, paperback, and audiobook editions. Book One, A MURDER FOR THE BOOKS, was published in December 2017 and has garnered substantial praise, including being chosen as a Southern Independent Booksellers (SIBA) “Okra Pick” and being longlisted for a Southern Book Prize. Publishers Weekly called it “captivating” and the NY Journal of Books noted: “As cozy mysteries go, this is one of the best.” Library Journal said: “This debut mystery and series launch by a former librarian is an intriguing cozy that combines historical tidbits, a taste of the supernatural, a budding romance, and humor.”
Ms. Weavil, under her penname Victoria Gilbert, will present a book talk about her Blue Ridge Library Mystery series on Sunday, July 29 at 2:00 pm at the Lovettsville Historical Society and Museum, 4 East Pennsylvania Ave., Lovettsville, VA 20180.
The book talk and signing will focus on A MURDER FOR THE BOOKS and SHELVED UNDER MURDER (published July 10, 2018). There will be a very limited number of copies of the books available at the event so those interested in acquiring signed copies should try to purchase the book(s) ahead of time from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Walmart (online) or any other book retailer, including their local indie bookstore. Ms. Weavil will gladly sign any copies of the books brought to the event.
Follow the Lovettsville Historical Society and Museum to find out more, and discover additional events and information offered by the Society at www.lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org.
This undated image (probably between 1910-1927) shows Lovettsville High School, which was located where the Lovettsville Community Center stands today. Fire destroyed much of the original structure, but portions of it were incorporated into the building still in use today. Look for vintage details such as old woodwork and vintage doorknobs in the current building. In 1954, Lovettsville High School was reduced to an elementary school. At that time, as part of a county-wide consolidation of schools, high school students were bussed to Loudoun County High School and Douglass High School in Leesburg.
Image courtesy of the the Lovettsville Museum Archives
Lovettsville Alumni Association Celebrates 50th Anniversary, 1967
When the Lovettsville Alumni Association holds its annual banquet Saturday night, it will not only be celebrating its 50th anniversary but also paying tribute to two grand ladies who have helped keep it going.
"I started it, I know that," says Mrs. Paul (Winnie) Myers. "It was in 1917 and we had it at my house." Her sister, Miss Laura (Dot) Potterfield, has saved 1916 and 1917 graduation invitations and declares that "they're much prettier than the ones today."
Miss Winnie and Miss Dot, as everyone fondly calls them, are really an institution in Lovettsville. Born and raised there, they taught either in the immediate area on in Lovettsville which had a high school until 1955 ...
Clipping courtesy of the William Bluedorn Family Scrapbook.
Loudoun County’s First Subdivision? by Sarah Markel
Excerpted with permission from Vol. 3, Issue 3 of "Little Gems," a free quarterly newsletter published by the Loudoun County Clerk of the Circuit Historic Records Division.
"Little Gems" refers to a binder of interesting references compiled by retired Deputy Clerk, Louisa Hutchison. Since the formation of Loudoun County, the Clerks have squirreled away notes which listed things to remember, interesting facts, and things that were just down right oddities. Over time these notes went from scraps of paper tucked in desks or books, to an organized binder, now called the "Book of Little Gems." The Historic Records newsletter is meant to provide you information about upcoming programs and exhibits, updated in- dexes, processed records, tips for research, as well as some articles on a few of the "little gems" we have found.
Every day in almost every form of media you will find people for or against building new houses in Loudoun County. Whether you are for or against the idea of growth and subdividing land, I will leave up to you. But, in reading the letters to the Editor and articles about the growth in the county I got to thinking about what was the first or earliest record I could find about a subdivision in Loudoun County?
In our Book of “Little Gems,” I found an entry by a former clerk that stated: “First Subdivision in County Deed Book A Page 232.” As you can see in the image above, Colonel John Tayloe, divided up his land into 32 lots, and on the plat listed the names of people he leased his land to and the acreage associated with each lot. It appears that Mr. Tayloe did not live on this land but instead used it as an income property. As we know Loudoun County formed from Fairfax County in 1757, and the plat shown below is from 1758. So within one year of Loudoun’s formation the landscape was already changing into the patchwork image we know today.
To date we have scanned all of our Deed Books, Will Books, and Plats. By scanning these books and plats we are able to access them electronically instead of having to place a very large heavy book on the photocopier each time a customer wants a copy. By being able to access the scans we will be able to preserve the original record for decades to come and provide copies to customers in a more timely manner.
Image, from Deed Book A, 232, courtesy of Gary M. Clemens, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Historic Records and Deed Research Division.
The answer to last month's History Mystery
about Sgt. Lawrence Everhart of Revolutionary War fame, claimed as a local hero by Lovettsville, Virginia, and also by Middletown, Maryland. How can this be?
The Lovettsville Museum has quite a few farm and household implements from the 19th and early 20th centuries, which have been grouped together as a look-and-touch interactive display and guessing game of "pre-digital era" technology, with answer cards attached. Many of the objects truly amaze and confound today's youngsters, who are puzzled that the functioning phones in our intereactive display have ... wires. For your contemplation, presented here is one of the mystery objects in our exhibit.
Can you guess what this object is --- and what it does?
Hint: The answer is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Visit our "What the Heck IS This Thing?" mystery objects exhibit and guessing game,
on Saturdays between 1:00-4:00 at the Lovettsville Museum, 4 East Pennsylvania Avenue, next to Lovettsville Town Hall.
In 2018 we continue our mission of preserving and promoting the heritage of Lovettsville, and also our surrounding area formerly known as “The German Settlement." The success of our mission relies heavily upon on our membership, which provides the needed resources and also committed volunteers to share our local history. Please encourage your friends, family, and others to join the Lovettsville Historical Society (LHS), or renew their annual membership, to ensure our continued success in preserving and promoting our local heritage.
There are many opportunities for members to participate in supporting the Lovettsville Historical Society and also meet others who share in our passion for preserving and promoting our local history. This includes volunteering to help with the museum, fundraising, organizing events, and publicizing our activities. We are always in need of guest speakers in support of our historical education program and also hosting special presentations for groups such as Scouts, school classes and tourists. Lastly, the donations of local historical artifacts such as family documents and pictures (or digital scans thereof), ensure that the we can continue our efforts to expand our presentation of local genealogical information.
*The Lovettsville Historical Society, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions and membership dues are tax deductible under Internal Revenue Code Section 170.
Lovettsville Historical Society & Museum 2018 Board of Directors
Mary “Mitch” Armstrong is a retired attorney with the U.S. Health and Human Services Administration. She majored in American History at Mary Washington College (now University). She was raised in Alexandria, but her family has owned a farm in the Lovettsville area since 1950. She previously served on the LHS Board, and continues to volunteer at Oktoberfest and other events throughout the year.
Claudette Bard was born and raised in Rockville, MD, then moved to Baltimore in the early 1970s to attend college. She subsequently received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Baltimore. She is presently employed by the Municipal Employees Credit Union of Baltimore. Claudette is a current member of both the Black Writers’ Guild of Maryland and Baltimore’s Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society. She is a descendant of ancestors born and buried in Lovettsville. Claudette and Ed, her husband of over 27 years, and their dog Roxi, call Baltimore County, MD home.
Melani Carty is our graphic designer, webmaster, Facebook & Twitter page administrator, creator of our online gift shop and membership system on Square Store, administrator of our YouTube channel of lecture videos; and co-editor of our monthly email-newsletter. She has a B.A. degree in Liberal Studies and a M.A. degree in Geography, from California State University at Fullerton. Melani enjoys volunteering as our digital archivist, creating new displays, and working with fellow board member, Mike Zapf on reorganizing the Lovettsville Museum to maximize space for new exhibits.
William (Bill) J. Davisson is a retired veteran who served over 26 years in the United States Army. Bill is from St. Louis, Missouri and attended the University of Missouri as an Army ROTC Cadet. Bill is currently employed as a Management Consultant. Bill is married to Julie Davisson and they have three children and one grandchild, and moved to Lovettsville e in the summer of 2016. Bill is very excited about learning more about Lovettsville history and looks forward to participating on the LHS board.
Bruce Funk, a Brunswick businessman and historican, is the current Secretary of the LHS, and has been a Director since 2012. He is descended from the Demory, Virts and Shoemaker families of Lovettsville. Bruce began genealogical research in 1969, and has written five books about Brunswick history, including Smith and Wenner. Bruce is a longtime member of the Maryland Historical Society, and one of the commissioners of the Brunswick History Commission.
Fred L. George III, a local businessman, has served as a Lovettsville Historical Society Director since June 2012, and as LHS President since 2016. He is also President of the Lovettsville Alumni Association, President of the Lovettsville Game Protective Association, and is involved in numerous other community activities. Fred and wife Anne have an interest in restoration, and own several older historic buildings in town that they have maintained close to original condition. The George family settled in the Lovettsville area in the early-to-mid 1700s, and many close kin and and extended family still live in the Lovettsville area today, including Fred & Anne's grandchildren, who are 10th-generation Lovettsvillians.
Richard Gillespie is a veteran history teacher at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville, who retired to pursue a second career in museum education, becoming the Mosby Heritage Area Assocation’s (MHAA) Director of Education. He expanded the MHAA classroom program, reaching 5,000 students a year, has written four Scavenger Hunts and Driving Tours, as well as providing expertise for MHAA programs. He also created the very popular "Cavaliers, Courage & Coffee" program. Rich became MHAA executive director on February 1, 2015 and has been Historian Emeritus since January 1, 2017. He has presented at least five lectures to the LHS Lecture Series beginning in 2011.
Dave Kirk is Director of Systems Engineering at a small engineering shop in Ashburn. In addition to being our LHS Treasurer, he is also a Past President of the Lovettsville Lions Club, Master Mason of Freedom Lodge 118 in Lovettsville, works with Boy Scout Troop 962, and is a Trustee and Financial Secretary for St. James UCC church in Lovettsville.
Sam Kroiz, grandson of long-time, now retired LHS Board member Fran Wire, has been a Director for four years. Sam operates Lovettsville-based George's Mill Farm Artisan Cheese, with his wife Molly. Their goat cheese products can be found at area wineries, restaurants, farmers markets, and at their self-service shop at George's Mill. Sam was recognized in 2016 by the Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains for his efforts to organize community opposition to a data center project on Short Hill Mountain.
Edward Spannaus is vice-president and former secretary of the LHS. He was instrumental in obtaining federal and state recognition of the Lovettsville Historic District in 2012. Ed also organizes our popular LHS Lecture Series. In addition, he serves as a Trustee of the Lovettsville Union Cemetery Company, and is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution; Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War; the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States; and the Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid-Atlantic.
Judy Virts-Beard Fox is a retired project manager who had a long career at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy. She also serves as vice-president of the Lovettsville Alumni Association. Judy is currently involved in genealogical research for a number of early Lovettsville families (e.g., Everhart, Virts, Wenner, etc.). She has served as a LHS Director since 2004.
Elaine Walker was born in this Town of Lovettsville, and has lived here all of her life. In 1976, she and her husband, Cliff, were appointed by the Mayor and Town Council to the committee to restore the Potterfield Building and have it become a Museum. Thus the beginning of the Lovettsville Museum. She has continued to serve as a Board member since that time. Later while serving on the Town Council and serving as Mayor for the next 32 years, she made sure the building was maintained on the outside, and utilities were paid, while helping to maintain the inside and raise funds for the purchase and care of the artifacts. Elaine continues her work with the Town by serving as Vice-Chair of the Lovettsville Oktoberfest Committee and many other Community activities including being a Trustee of the Lovettsville Union Cemetery.
Mike Zapf, a retired Department of the Army civilian employee, has served as a LHS Director for many years. He has also been active in researching history for New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, and is active with the Lovettsville Oktoberfest Committee.
OFFICERS:
President: Fred L. George III
Vice President: Edward Spannaus
Secretary: Bruce Funk
Treasurer: Dave Kirk
As a subscriber to our monthly e-newsletter, you get a sneak preview of the articles that we share throughout the month on our Facebook page and in the Lovettsville Mayor's Newsletter. In case you missed a month, here are links to our Back Issues, for your reading enjoyment.
Claudette Bard was born and raised in Rockville, MD, then moved to Baltimore in the early 1970s to attend college. She subsequently received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Baltimore. She is presently employed by the Municipal Employees Credit Union of Baltimore. Claudette is a current member of both the Black Writers’ Guild of Maryland and Baltimore’s Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society. She is a descendant of ancestors born and buried in Lovettsville. Claudette and Ed, her husband of over 27 years, and their dog Roxi, call Baltimore County, MD home.
William (Bill) J. Davisson is a retired veteran who served over 26 years in the United States Army. Bill is from St. Louis, Missouri and attended the University of Missouri as an Army ROTC Cadet. Bill is currently employed as a Management Consultant. Bill is married to Julie Davisson and they have three children and one grandchild, and moved to Lovettsville e in the summer of 2016. Bill is very excited about learning more about Lovettsville history and looks forward to participating on the LHS board.
Bruce Funk, a Brunswick businessman and historican, is the current Secretary of the LHS, and has been a Director since 2012. He is descended from the Demory, Virts and Shoemaker families of Lovettsville. Bruce began genealogical research in 1969, and has written five books about Brunswick history, including Smith and Wenner. Bruce is a longtime member of the Maryland Historical Society, and one of the commissioners of the Brunswick History Commission.
Fred L. George III, a local businessman, has served as a Lovettsville Historical Society Director since June 2012, and as LHS President since 2016. He is also President of the Lovettsville Alumni Association, President of the Lovettsville Game Protective Association, and is involved in numerous other community activities. Fred and wife Anne have an interest in restoration, and own several older historic buildings in town that they have maintained close to original condition. The George family settled in the Lovettsville area in the early-to-mid 1700s, and many close kin and and extended family still live in the Lovettsville area today, including Fred & Anne's grandchildren, who are 10th-generation Lovettsvillians. 
Richard Gillespie is a veteran history teacher at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville, who retired to pursue a second career in museum education, becoming the Mosby Heritage Area Assocation’s (MHAA) Director of Education. He expanded the MHAA classroom program, reaching 5,000 students a year, has written four Scavenger Hunts and Driving Tours, as well as providing expertise for MHAA programs. He also created the very popular "Cavaliers, Courage & Coffee" program. Rich became MHAA executive director on February 1, 2015 and has been Historian Emeritus since January 1, 2017. He has presented at least five lectures to the LHS Lecture Series beginning in 2011. 
Sam Kroiz, grandson of long-time, now retired LHS Board member Fran Wire, has been a Director for four years. Sam operates Lovettsville-based George's Mill Farm Artisan Cheese, with his wife Molly. Their goat cheese products can be found at area wineries, restaurants, farmers markets, and at their self-service shop at George's Mill. Sam was recognized in 2016 by the Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains for his efforts to organize community opposition to a data center project on Short Hill Mountain. 
Edward Spannaus is vice-president and former secretary of the LHS. He was instrumental in obtaining federal and state recognition of the Lovettsville Historic District in 2012. Ed also organizes our popular LHS Lecture Series. In addition, he serves as a Trustee of the Lovettsville Union Cemetery Company, and is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution; Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War; the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States; and the Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid-Atlantic. 
Judy Virts-Beard Fox is a retired project manager who had a long career at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy. She also serves as vice-president of the Lovettsville Alumni Association. Judy is currently involved in genealogical research for a number of early Lovettsville families (e.g., Everhart, Virts, Wenner, etc.). She has served as a LHS Director since 2004.
Elaine Walker was born in this Town of Lovettsville, and has lived here all of her life. In 1976, she and her husband, Cliff, were appointed by the Mayor and Town Council to the committee to restore the Potterfield Building and have it become a Museum. Thus the beginning of the Lovettsville Museum. She has continued to serve as a Board member since that time. Later while serving on the Town Council and serving as Mayor for the next 32 years, she made sure the building was maintained on the outside, and utilities were paid, while helping to maintain the inside and raise funds for the purchase and care of the artifacts. Elaine continues her work with the Town by serving as Vice-Chair of the Lovettsville Oktoberfest Committee and many other Community activities including being a Trustee of the Lovettsville Union Cemetery.
Mike Zapf, a retired Department of the Army civilian employee, has served as a LHS Director for many years. He has also been active in researching history for New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, and is active with the Lovettsville Oktoberfest Committee.