Mount Sinai Church:
A Forgotten Gem
of Lovettsville History

EXHIBITS

April 1 to April 30 – Exhibit: “Gallivanting Around the World: Trinkets and Souvenirs from the Morven Park Collection.” The exhibit will be on display at Thomas Balch Library through the month of April. 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.

Opens April 9 – New Exhibition at Loudoun Museum “A Fragile Republic: 1800 – 1825.” The conclusion of the American Revolution ended a war for independence against Britain, but began an internal struggle over the new nation’s identity. “A Fragile Republic: 1800 -1825” explores the political and social environment of this period locally, nationally, and globally. Opens to the public Friday April 9, 2021. Hours of Operation: Friday-Sunday, 10AM- 4PM. Loudoun Museum, 16 Loudoun St. SW, Leesburg.

LECTURES, SEMINARS, TOURS & OTHER EVENTS:

Mon., April 5 at 7:00 p.m. – “Targeted Tracks: The Cumberland Valley Railroad in the Civil War, 1861-1865” (Livestreamed), by Scott Mingus. The Cumberland Valley Railroad connected Hagerstown, Maryland, to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Its location enhanced its importance during some of the Civil War’s most critical campaigns. Because of its proximity to major cities in the Eastern Theater, the CVRR was an enticing Confederate target. As invading armies jostled for position, the CVRR’s valuable rolling stock was never far from the minds of Rebel leaders. Northern military and railway officials knew the line was a prized target and coordinated—and just as often butted heads—in a series of efforts to ensure the railroad’s prized resources remained out of enemy hands. When they failed to protect the line, as they sometimes did, Southern horsemen wrought havoc on the Northern war effort by tearing up its tracks, seizing or torching Union supplies, and laying waste to warehouses, engine houses, and passenger depots. This virtual program is presented as part of the John C. Frye Western Maryland Room's annual McCauley Historical Lectures series. This program will be livestreamed at WCFL videos and does not require prior registration or a Facebook account. It will become available at 7:00 pm on April 5, and remain available for some time. Washington County Free Library, Hagerstown.

Wed., April 7 at 7:00 p.m. – “Band of Strangers” with Jim Cullen. (Online) The story Band of Strangers, a World War Two Memoir of the Battle of the Bulge, is gripping in its honest depiction of war from the perspective of a young man dropped into the chaos of battle. Nothing was familiar, not even the men on either side of him. What sets Band of Strangers apart from other World War II stories is that it addresses the unrecognized, but vital, Army Combat Replacements. The author’s squad, 2nd squad, 1st Platoon of the 36th Armored Infantry Regiment were complete strangers who met for the first time on the battlefield. These men had not trained together, never marched together in formation, never heard company reveille together, never drank together, never learned each other’s strengths nor weaknesses. Despite the fact they were strangers, they knew what they had to do, and they pulled together to get it done. US Army Heritage Center. Register here.

Thurs., April 8 at 7:00 p.m. – History on Tap: “April Fools.” Online presentation from the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area. The historians take a look at some of history's greatest blunders and mistakes. This program will be presented live on the VPHA Facebook page .

Fri., April 9 at 1:00 p.m. – “Invisible Wounds: A Perspective on Mental Health Issues During the Civil War.” The knowledge, diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues were basically non-existent during the American Civil War. As a result, great damage was inflicted on thousands of soldiers as well as civilians, endangering the overall war effort and increasing postwar societal upheaval. This digital program examines the extreme psychological stress suffered by the average Civil War soldier and compares that experience to today’s understanding and treatment of trauma-induced mental health issues. Special emphasis will be given to the condition we now call Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).You can tune in live by visiting facebook.com/civilwarmed at the scheduled time. National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Frederick.

Sun., April 11 at 4:00-5:30 p.m. – Waterford WalkingTour. Offered as part of Virginia Architecture Month. Organized by the Historic Waterford Foundation, this in-person walking tour will focus on the history and architecture of the village of Waterford over time. Settled by Quakers in the 1730’s, Waterford was a farming community with wheat mills built along the creek. By the early 19th century, the town was a commercial center with structures that often served as both a dwelling and business. The town has an extraordinary collection of original 18th- and 19th-century buildings. The majority of existing houses were built before 1861. Due to the high degree of integrity, the village is designated as a National Historic Landmark District. Open to the public. 1.5 LU|Elective. $20, Registration required.

Wed., April 14 at 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – On Tour with the National Museum of Civil War Medicine at Harpers Ferry (Virtual Program) Education Coordinator John Lustrea and NPS Ranger Jeff Bowers will take virtual viewers to important medical sites at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park for the premiere of the Museum’s “On Tour” series. Together they will highlight locations around the park related to medical care throughout the Civil War. From field hospitals to contraband camps and beyond, there are many medical sites to showcase. Viewers will also have the chance to see inside buildings normally closed to the public. To give the team time to move around the battlefield, there will be a few short breaks throughout the program. 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 an exciting program. 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! You can tune in live by visiting facebook.com/civilwarmed/live at the scheduled time.

Wed., April 14 at 6:00 p.m. – Walking Tour of Old Winchester. The Harpers Ferry Civil War Round Table sponsors a tour of Civil War Winchester at 6 pm, Wednesday, April 14, meeting at the pedestrian mall entrance of the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum (old Court House), 20 N. Loudoun St., Winchester. Note that extra time will be needed to park off-site and walk to the meeting place. Our guide, Jerry Holsworth, will lead us around Old Town Winchester, with a focus on sites that made the city a crucial part of the Civil War story. After the walking tour (around 7:30), there is an opportunity for a curator-guided tour inside the nearby Stonewall Jackson Headquarters Museum at a charge of $4/person. This will only be offered if an ample number reserve, so indicate your desire for this extra experience when you reserve your space for the walking tour. This tour will involve walking and standing on flat, paved surfaces. Masks are required, and social distancing will be encouraged. There is no charge for the walking tour, but reservations are required and numbers will be limited. To reserve your space, contact Chris Craig at ccraig@laurellodge.com or 304-433-1260.

Thurs., April 15 at 10:00 a.m. – Researching Using Court Records, A Virtual Workshop. Jeanette Irby, Loudoun County Circuit Court Judge and former Leesburg Town Attorney will discuss how to use court records and other resources for data that are frequently overlooked in genealogical and historical research. Irby will demonstrate how to mine court records for clues that can be used to collect information for genealogical research. Examples of these records include real estate records, chancery suits, estates, and indexes. This is a virtual class that will be offered online. Registration is required. Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg.

Thurs., April 15 at 12:00 noon–1 p.m. – Lunch and Learn: “Conflicts of Liberty.” In this online program, MSV Curator of Collections Nick Powers discusses “A Dissertation on Slavery: With a Proposal for the Gradual Abolition of It in the State of Virginia” by St. George Tucker, published in 1796. Nick will explore the origins of this document, the principles of liberty expressed during the American Revolution, and how Macky, a Winchester physician and Revolutionary War veteran, came to own it. Pay what you can. Register by April 14; register online or call 540-662-1473, ext. 240. You will receive an email with a Zoom link before the date of the program. Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester.

Sun, April 18, 4:00-5:30 p.m. – Waterford Walking Tour - Black History Sites. Offered as part of Virginia Architecture Month. Organized by the Historic Waterford Foundation, this in-person walking tour will focus on the history and architecture of the village of Waterford, focusing on Black History Sites. Waterford was within the part of Loudoun County known as the Underground Railroad route. It was also a haven for free Blacks. Settled by Quakers, the village offered more opportunities for African Americans than most other places in the south. Black historic sites in the village are numerous, and include Second Street School, a one-room school funded by Quakers; a Freedmen's Bureau which served Black residents from 1867 to 1957; and the John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, a Gothic Revival church built by and for African Americans in 1891. The town has many other well preserved homes and workplaces where free and enslaved African Americans lived and worked. Open to the public. 1.5 LU|Elective. $20, Registration required.

Thurs., April 22 at 7:00 p.m. – “A Stitch In Time.” Online presentation from the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area. Our panel of local experts explore the fascinating history and traditions of sporting clothing through the ages, as well as its contemporary manufacture and wear. Panel includes Mark Metzger of Highcliffe Clothiers, Christopher Wilson of Hunt Country Clothiers, and Devon Zebrovious of the Side Saddle Chase Foundation. This program will be presented live on the VPHA Facebook page and will also be available on our YouTube channel after broadcast.

Sat., April 24 at 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – “Trails Less Traveled:” 19th Century Virginius Island Tour. This hike will take visitors past ruins of factories and dwellings, discussing how the island—now consumed by nature—was once a thriving industrial and residential community. As a bonus, expect an abundance of Virginia bluebells to adorn the way. Our leader is David Gilbert, author of A Walker’s Guide to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia; and Waterpower: Mills, Factories, Machines, and Floods at Harpers Ferry. 1 mile, rated EASY, with no elevation gain, but on dirt paths over uneven terrain. Proceeds from this program benefit the Harpers Ferry Park Association’s ongoing mission of supporting the park’s interpretive and educational programs and providing aid to conservation and preservation projects. $10 Donation Per Person, Open to Public, includes Virginius Island Trail Guide. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are limited spaces available. Registration is required. We also require masks and social distancing measures to keep our guides and visitors safe. For more information and registration, go here.

Wed., April 28 at 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – “The French Paradox” (A Wine County Mystery, 11) - A Virtual Conversation. Join Ellen Crosby in a virtual conversation with Thomas Balch Library Director, Alexandra S. Gressitt, about the art of writing and her latest Wine County Mystery: The French Paradox. In this volume Lucie Montgomery's discovery of her grandfather's Parisian romance unlocks a series of shocking secrets in a gripping new Wine Country mystery. Ellen Crosby is the author of the Virginia wine country mystery series; her latest book, The French Paradox will be released in the US on 6 April 2021. Register in advance for this program: https://tinyurl.com/TBLEvents

Wed., April 28 at 7:00 p.m. – Danger 79er: The Life and Times of Lieutenant General James F. Hollingsworth (Online) with Dr. James H. Willbanks. Lt. Gen. James F. Hollingsworth was a three-time recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross along with four Silver Stars, six Purple Hearts, and a host of additional medals and commendations. In World War II, while leading tanks in Gen. George S. Patton’s Third Army, Hollingsworth encountered dug-in German defenders. He lined up his thirty-four tanks and issued a command rarely heard in modern warfare: Charge! Patton later recognized Hollingsworth as one of the two best armored battalion commanders in the war. Twenty years later, Hollingsworth served in Vietnam, where he became identified by the radio call-sign of “Danger 79er,” a designation that remained for the duration of his career. He later served in South Korea commanding I Corps (ROK/US) Group, the largest combined field army in the world. Even after retirement from active duty, Hollingsworth continued to serve as a military adviser during the Cold War. US Army Heritage Center. Register here.

Fri., April 30 at 12:00 p.m. – “Indignant, Excited, Alarmed” – Clara Barton and the Pratt Street Riot. A virtual program hosted by Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine and the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. After the bloodshed in Baltimore on April 19, 1861, wounded soldiers of the Sixth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry made their way to Washington in need of medical care. Join Director of Interpretation Jake Wynn of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine as he explores the experiences of Clara Barton in the aftermath of the Pratt Street Riot. You can tune in live by registering in advance. Click here to register.