CURRENT EVENTS

IWhat: Augusta County Historical Society program
When: Thursday, Jan. 19, 7 p.m.
Where: Smith Center for History and Art, 20 S. New St., Staunton
Program: The Great Valley Road of Virginia, speakers and booksigning
For more information: ACHS office 540-248-4151;
augustachs@ntelos.net; www.augustacountyhs.org

Historic Valley Road subject of program

STAUNTON – A year ago the Smith Center filled to capacity with people eager to learn more about the historic road that runs the length of the Shenandoah Valley. Now, back by popular demand, the Augusta County Historical Society will present another program on that historic highway—the Great Valley Road of Virginia—on Thursday, January 19, at 7 p.m. Three collaborators on the book about the road, publisher George Thompson, photographer Scott Jost, and author Ken Keller will talk about the road from their perspectives. Following the program, the new paperback version of The Great Valley Road of Virginia: Shenandoah Landscapes from Prehistory to the Present will be available for sale and autographing. 

Today we know it as U.S. Route 11, but that same storied road has been known as the Great Wagon Road, the Warriors Path, the Valley Pike, and the Great Valley Road at various times during its history. It ranks among America’s oldest, most historic, and most geographically significant roads. On Thursday, January 19, learn more about the great road’s story.

The program focuses on the University of Virginia Press 320-page book that contains a series of essays edited by Warren Hofstra and Karl Raitz about the road. Featured in the book are a number of photographs taken by Jost, a Bridgewater College professor, of sites along U.S. Rt. 11. Keller, who has a chapter in the book, has completed extensive research on the turnpike. George Thompson, founder and director of the Center for American Places and the co-publisher of the book, provided the initial vision for the book project.

The program will take place in the second floor lecture room of the Smith Center. Following the program the Augusta County Historical Society will make copies of the new softcover edition available for purchase and autographing. The book has over 100 illustrations, engravings, and maps. One reviewer noted that “those interested in cultural landscapes in general, and highway landscapes in particular, will love the book, as will anyone with an interest in the Shenandoah Valley.”

The program, sponsored by the Augusta County Historical Society, is free to society members. A $5 fee will be charged to non-members. For more information, contact the ACHS office at 540-248-4151 or augustachs@ntelos.net, or visit www.augustacountyhs.org.

RECENT EVENTS

Irish workers, railroad tunnel topic of ACHS Fall Meeting
What: Augusta County Historical Society Fall Meeting
When: Sunday, Nov. 6, 3 p.m.
Where: Parish Hall, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Augusta St. (parking on Augusta and New Sts., handicapped parking in New St. parking lot)
Topic: The Railroad Tunnel and the Irish workers who built it, by the Clann Mhór organization
For more information: Augusta County Historical Society 540-248-4151, www.augustacountyhs.org, augustachs@ntelos.net

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 built 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 where they built a church—St. Francis Catholic Church—as well as homes, and businesses.


2011 Spring Meeting - March 27

"Virginia School for the Deaf & the Blind: Unveiling a documentary history"

In honor of the main character in this year’s Big Read book, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, the Augusta County Historical Society journeys to the historic campus of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind for its Spring Meeting. Everyone is invited to attend this free meeting at VSDB to learn more about the history of the school--the first of its kind in the nation and the second of its type in the entire world. Tours of the school museum will be conducted from 2-3 p.m. with the main program to be held in the Chapel at 3 p.m. where the brand new documentary DVD, VSDB History created by Faithlyn Robinson, will be unveiled for the first time.

When: Thursday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m.
Where: Smith Center for History and Art, 20 S. New St., Staunton
Program: The Great Valley Road of Virginia, talk, exhibit reception, booksigning
For more information: ACHS office 540-248-4151; augustachs@ntelos.net

Today we know it as U.S. Route 11, but that same storied road has been known as the Great Wagon Road, the Warriors Path, the Valley Pike, and the Great Valley Road at various times during its history. It ranks among America’s oldest, most historic, and most geographically significant roads. On Thursday, January 13, learn more about the great road’s story when the Augusta County Historical Society presents: The Great Valley Road of Virginia—a program, exhibit reception, and booksigning at the Smith Center for History and Art.

The program centers around the recently published book, The Great Valley Road of Virginia: Shenandoah Landscapes from Prehistory to the Present. The 320-page book, published by the University of Virginia Press, contains a series of essays about the road edited by Warren Hofstra and Karl Raitz. Featured in the book are a number of photographs taken by Bridgewater College Professor Scott Jost of sites along U.S. Rt. 11. Select photographs from that project will be on display in the History Gallery of the Smith Center until late February.

On Thursday Jost will be one of three speakers discussing the Valley Road history project. Also speaking will be the book’s editor Warren Hofstra, professor of history at Shenandoah University and author of numerous books on Virginia history. The third speaker will be Staunton’s own Ken Keller, a professor of history at Mary Baldwin who has an essay in the book.

The program will take place in the second floor lecture room of the Smith Center. Following the 45-minute program by three of the book’s collaborators, guests are invited to a reception in the History Gallery where they can view Jost’s photographic exhibition, “The Great Valley Road of Virginia.” Copies of the book, The Great Valley Road, will be available for sale and for signing. Jost will have prints of his photography available for sale as well. The 320-page book has over 100 illustrations, engravings, and maps. One reviewer noted that “those interested in cultural landscapes in general, and highway landscapes in particular, will love the book, as will anyone with an interest in the Shenandoah Valley.”

The program, sponsored by the Augusta County Historical Society, is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the ACHS office at 540-248-4151 or augustachs@ntelos.net.

Captions: A few of Jost’s photographs featured in the exhibit

A fragment of the original Valley Pike at Red Bank Road, five miles south of Edinburg. The contemporary US 11 roadbed lies to the left background. Scott Jost	Former gas station, Steeles Tavern, Virginia Scott Jost	Old drover’s road through Fairfield in Rockbridge County. Scott Jost

Download the pdf here...

Stuart Series Lecture

"Uncle Tom's Cabin: The Book that Fanned the Fires of War" - Bill Wellington
R. R. Smith Center
November 4, 7:00 pm
Free to ACHS members - $5 for others - $1 for students

Singer/Storyteller Bill Wellington will discuss the book, and perform songs relating to the classic Harriet Beecher Stowe novel from 1852.  The story of the book that brought the human side of slavery into the households of millions of Americans, will also be told through pictures from the time. 



Apples, Wine and Song

The Augusta County Historical Society, with cooperation from Barren Ridge Vineyards in Fisherville, initiated what may become a signature fall event in our area.  Celebrating the rich heritage of apple production in the Valley, the day was dedicated to the study and sampling of vintage apples, and two sessions by Tom Burford, "Professor. Apple."  Additionally, some great music was provided by Robin and Linda Williams and Their Fine Group who gave two performances as well.  Barren Ridge offered tours and tastings.  There was food, cider and a beautifual day as well.



Conversations from the Grave

Once again, the ACHS presented the ever-popular tour of Thornrose Cemetary in September.  The weather was perfect, the actors sensational, and with several new characters again this year, the response of returning patrons was outstanding.  

Annual Spring Meeting

"A Super-Scenic Motorway" - The Blue Ridge Parkway - Ann Whisnant

The Blue Ridge Parkway is 75 years old, and on May 16, Ann Whisnant helped us  to celebrate by discussing its history at the Augusta County Historical Society  Annual Spring Meeting. The meeting was held at Summit Square in Waynesboro, and was of course open to the public.

Annual Spring Banquet and Silent Auction

Civil War Historian - Bud Robertson

As always, this annual spring event provided us with a wonderful meal at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conferene Center, a great talk by the noted Civil War Historian Bud Robertson, and an amazing array  of silent auction items. This event seems to get bigger and better every year, and we are already planning ahead for 2011. 

Stuart Series Lecture

The West Augusta Guard

The West Augusta Guard is alive and well. The famous local unit that made history is still doing so, and in May, as part of the Stuart Series Lectures, members presented a program titled "The West Augusta Guard: Interpreting  Heritage through Living History."  This talk is just the beginning of a five year celebrationcommemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

Big Read Keynote Address

Ray Bradbury Biographer - Sam Weller

To help kick-off the annual Big Read celebration, in March, Sam Weller discussed  Fahrenheit 451, the classic science-fiction novel by Ray Bradbury. Mr. Weller is an expert on the life and work of Bradbury, and was able to shed light on why this particular book is so important to that genre, and to all readers of futuristic, political literature.

R. R. Smith Center Exhibit Gallery

Beginning in March, the Augusta County Historical Society presented another excellent exhibit, this time on the novel Fahrenheit 451, and as part of the Big Read. The  exhibit dealt with the question of what we would do if the burning of books was not only allowed and encouraged by our government, but actually carried out by local authorities. In the book, firefighters have been given an additional  responsibility far beyond what we expect. They burn books!