Civil War Weekend: “1863 in the Valley”

From Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation comes a roster of events this weekend, Aug. 16, 17 and 18. Events focus on Lee’s Gettysburg Campaign – and the sobering aftermath that turned the region into a mammoth hospital. Programs will include living history, tours, historical talks, book signings, youth programs – and even a special screening of an American movie classic. You’re sure to find something that appeals to your interests this weekend!

Review the flyer for Civil War Weekend at the Winchester-Frederick County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau website for any of the events below which catch your fancy:

Visitor Information, Civil War Orientation, and Book Signing at Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center

Location: 1400 S. Pleasant Valley Rd., Winchester
Times: Open: 9 am – 5 pm daily
Book signing with Scott Patchan, author of “The Last Battle of Winchester” 3-5pm on Saturday
For more information or a free visitors guide: (540) 542-1326, info@visitwinchesterva.com, or www.VisitWinchesterVA.com

Tours of Belle Grove Plantation, Middletown

Location: 336 Belle Grove Rd., Middletown
Times: Saturday, August 17: 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 1:15, 2:15, 3:15. Sunday, August 18: 1:15, 2:15, 3:15
Cost: $12
For more information: 540-869-2028

“Following the Plume”: Confederate Cavalry Living History Program

Location: Cedar Creek Visitor’s Center, 8437 Valley Pike, Middletown
Times: Saturday, August 17, 10am-4pm. Cavalry demonstrations at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Intermittent artillery demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday.
Cost: Free
For more information: (540) 869-2064 or executive.director@ccbf.us

Lectures and Book Signing: “The Transition Begins: For Whose Rights Are We Fighting”

Location: Stephens City Town Office, 1033 Locust St., Stephens City
Times: Saturday, June 23 – 11am and 2 pm (lectures) and 3pm (book signing)
Cost: Free
For more information: Wayne A. Eldred, (540) 869-1700, info@newtownhistorycenter.org.

Tours of First and Second Battles of Kernstown at Pritchard-Grim Farm

Location: Kernstown Battlefield on the Pritchard-Grim Farm, 610 Battle Park Drive, Winchester
Times: Saturday, August 17, 11am and 1pm (walking tours)
Cost: Free admission to site. $3 charge to tour Pritchard House.
For more information: (540) 869-2896 or gcrawford@kernstownbattle.org

“Night Falls on Camp Johnson”: Living History and Activities Tours

Location: 901 Amherst St., Winchester
Times: Saturday, August 17, 6-9 pm
Cost: $5 to MSV members, $8 others, children under 12 are free.
For more information: (888) 556-5799

Book Signing: Civil War Journal of Mary Greenhow Lee

Location: Hollingsworth Mill, 1360 S. Pleasant Valley Rd., Winchester
Times: Saturday, August 17, 2-4 pm
Cost: Free
For more information: Cissy Shull, 540-662-6550 or wfchs@verizon.net

Civil War Medical Lectures by Dr. Yusuf Saleeby

Times: 10-11:30am and 2-3:30pm
Location: 20 N. Loudon St., Winchester
For more information: 540-542-1145, www.civilwarmuseum.org

“Gone With the Wind” Under the Stars

Location: Historic Long Branch, 830 Long Branch Lane
Times: 6:30-11:30 pm. Movie at 8:00 pm.
Cost: $8 per car
For more information: 540-837-1856

Tours of Sheridan’s Field Hospital: Dr. Jonathan O’Neal

Location: Sheridan’s Field Hospital at Shawnee Springs, corner of Opequon Avenue and Hollingsworth Drive
Time: Saturday, August 17, 10am-2pm
Cost: Free
For more information: Terry Heder, 540-740-4545 or theder@svbf.net

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Programs

Friday, August 16:
History at Sunset – The Tragic Deaths of Stephen Ramseur and Charles Lowell: Examples of a Generation Lost.
7 p.m. Meet Ranger at Belle Grove parking lot, 336 Belle Grove Road.

Saturday, August 17:
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove in a Box – A Park Overview Program. 30 minute program on the history of the Valley, the Battle of Cedar Creek and the impact of the war. 11:30 a.m. Meet on Belle Grove’s front lawn, 336 Belle Grove Road.

Battle of Cedar Creek Tour. A two-hour guided tour that which covers the Battle of Cedar Creek in a chronological fashion. 2pm. Meet at Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation Headquarters, 8437 Valley Pike.

Middletown Civil War Walking Tour. Learn about the citizens of Middletown and how the war impacted their lives. A ranger-led 90 minute walking tour. 5pm. Meet at intersection of Main Street and First Street.

Sunday, August 18:
The 8th Vermont Monument at Cedar Creek. Visit the monument and learn the story of the New England regiment it memorializes. 1 pm. Meet at National Park Service Visitor Contact Station, 7712 Main Street.

Presented by: Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park
Cost: All programs are free
For more information: Eric Campbell, 540-8693051 or eric_campbell@nps.gov

Winchester-Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau Announces Facebook Photo Contest “LOVE to WIN”

loveworksThe Winchester-Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau is spearheading a photo contest to spread the word about the LOVEwork at the Visitors Center, and to remind visitors that “Love is at the heart of every Virginia Vacation.”

LOVEworks are located all over Virginia, and Winchester-Frederick County’s L-O-V-E letters are decorated with the Apple Blossom theme. “We know that Winchester-Frederick County is a wonderful place to visit, but we would like to hear straight from our visitors what it is that makes our area so special to them,” said Renee Bayliss, Visitor and Community Relations Specialist for the Winchester-Frederick County CVB.

Visitors are encouraged to take a photo of themselves with the LOVEwork in the visitors center, and visit this Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Winchester-Frederick-County-Convention-Visitors-Bureau/134866245609 where they can click on the LOVE to Win graphic to post their photo and enter. Participants must also state what they love about Winchester-Frederick County.

The Grand Prize Winner will be selected by the Winchester-Frederick County CVB, based on the entrant’s photo and response.
The Prize Package includes:

  • One night accommodations for two at Country Inn & Suites, Winchester, in the Celebration Suite (in-room whirlpool tub, fireplace, flat screen TV, high speed internet). Hotel amenities include free hot breakfast buffet, exercise facilities, free parking, and indoor heated pool.
  • Two tickets and $30.00 food/beverage voucher to Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
  • Two tickets to the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
  • Two tickets to a performance of Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre
  • Two tickets to Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters Museum, George Washington’s Office Museum, and Abram’s Delight Museum

The contest period runs from 12:00 AM August 1, 2013 to 11:59 PM August 31, 2013. Contestants must be 21 years of age or older and a resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.

Complete rules and regulations are on the website and at the Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center, 1400 S. Pleasant Valley Road, Winchester, VA, 22601.

Preservation Virginia Alert–Action Needed for the Historic Tax Credit

The following is a release from Preservation Virginia, the statewide preservation organization. Winchester is one of the leading localities utilizing historic tax credits in Virginia and they are a vital tool in making preservation feasible for buildings like the Lewis Jones Knitting Mill, the Taylor Hotel, or the Lovett Building. Please take a moment to write to Senator Warner and Senator Kaine today (a sample letter is at the bottom of the post for you) and ask for their support of the Historic Tax Credit. Don’t forget to forward any responses to Preservation Virginia to help them track the issue.

Next week is an important week for tax reform as the U.S. Senate considers options. Your help is needed to ensure that the Historic Tax Credit remains in a reform package. Write to Senator Warner and Senator Kaine today and ask for their support of the Historic Tax Credit.

Background: Recently Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Orin Hatch (R-UT) circulated a letter to all Senators asking them for their participation in tax reform. Members were informed that the Committee will start with a “blank slate,” meaning all tax expenditures, both corporate and individual provisions (including the Historic Tax Credit) would initially be eliminated. Senators were also told that to be re-included in the tax code, a provision or proposal had to: 1) help the economy grow 2) make the tax code fairer, or 3) effectively promote other important policy objectives. Senators are finalizing their letter for the deadline on 26 July.

Contact Senator Warner and Senator Kaine TODAY to ensure that they:
1) include HTC in their list of priorities for tax reform and 2) co-sponsoring S.1141, the Creating American Prosperity through Preservation Act. Below is a sample letter and suggested points for your correspondence.
Please forward any replies to Preservation Virginia so that we can help track this issue.
Thank you for your support!
Contacts:
Senator Warner: http://www.warner.senate.gov/public//index.cfm?p=ContactPage
Senator Kaine : http://www.kaine.senate.gov/contact

SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Senator:
I write to encourage your support of the historic rehabilitation tax credit (HTC) a vital tool for historic preservation and economic development. The HTC more than pays for itself: The cost of the credit has been $20.5 billion and it has generated $25.9 billion in federal taxes.* The HTC is a proven job-creating, community-revitalizing investment in sustainable communities.
Over the last 32 years, the program has revived 38,700 vacant or underutilized buildings, created 2.35 million jobs, and attracted over $106 billion in private investment. In Virginia, 870 commercial rehabilitation projects have resulted in more than $2.2 billion in development investment and the creation of more than 35,000 jobs. It has been called the largest community revitalization program in the county. In Virginia, projects such as the Westover Apartments, Arlington; Paramount Theater, Charlottesville; Schoolfield School Complex, Danville; and the National Theater, Richmond were made possible by use of these credits.
Historic preservation is more labor-intensive than new construction, and is proven to create more, better-paying jobs. Additionally, developers of historic buildings often buy local and hire local. More than 75 percent of the economic benefits of historic rehabilitation remain in the local economies.
I encourage you to include the HTC in your list of priorities for tax reform and to co-sponsor S.1141, the Creating American Prosperity through Preservation Act. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,

* The credit cost was calculated by the IRS and the income generated came from a Rutgers University report commissioned by the National Park Service.
Additional Facts:
• The Creating American Prosperity through Preservation (CAPP) Act proposes strategic adjustments to the HTC that would enhance the credit’s economic and sustainability benefits.
• As a nation, we want to live and work in places that reflect the stories that define our heritage. The historic tax credit makes saving those places possible.
• This tax credit protects some of the nation’s most iconic buildings, defining our heritage and sense of community.

Index to “Winchester: Limestone, Sycamores, and Architecture”

Chances are if you’re an aficionado of local architecture, you’ve glanced at this book or even own a copy. Unfortunately, it was published without an index, so it is a browsing experience more than a quick research volume. Better late than never, an index to the book was found in some files that were presumed lost. We’re happy to share this and hopefully make the book a more useful volume.

Click here to view or download a supplementary index to “Winchester: Limestone, Sycamores, and Architecture.” (3.4 MB)

Public Hearing for 414 S. Braddock St. on July 9

The second reading and public hearing to declare the structure at 414 S. Braddock St. a public nuisance and authorize funds to abate the situation will be the first business item on the agenda for the City Council meeting this Tuesday, July 9 at 7 PM. This is the only planned opportunity for public comment on the proposed abatement plan, which is currently leaning toward demolition of the north part of the structure, but is authorized in scope to demolish the entire building if deemed necessary.

PHW would welcome your attendance at the meeting either as observers or to hear your own comments on the situation. Please take a few moments to read through the material submitted for the meeting at the Winchester City website (materials for this item start at page 3).

We fully realize how badly the structure has deteriorated and will continue to deteriorate if nothing is done. As PHW president John Barker was quoted in the Winchester Star on Saturday, there is no “magic wand” we can wave to fix this situation, and that is why your comments and support will be helpful to find a solution that satisfies both the real safety concerns as well as the desire to see this architectural treasure saved.

First Grinding at the Burwell-Morgan Mill

Burwell Morgan MillWhat: First Grinding at the Mill
When: May 18, 2013
Where: 15 Tannery Lane, Burwell-Morgan Mill, Millwood, VA
Admission: Free, donations appreciated
Contact: Jennifer Simpson, Outreach and Special Events Coordinator

Ever dreamt of getting preservative free grain and watching it be milled in an 18th century grist mill? A National Register Historic Landmark, the Burwell-Morgan Mill begins offering visitors a chance to meet both of these goals on May 18, 2013 when the first grinding of the 2013 season is set to take place and continue throughout the summer and into the early fall on Saturdays. The Mill is also open to visitors on Fridays and Sundays but does not operate.

The Burwell-Morgan Mill begins milling cornmeal and grits this coming Saturday, but throughout the summer grinds rye, buckwheat, nine-grain and whole wheat flour. Just a quick visit to the Mill’s website (http://www.burwellmorganmill.org) will allow visitors the chance to answer any questions about the up-to-date grinding information. Flour and grits are also available on Saturdays at the Clarke County Farmers Market located just minutes from the Clarke County Historical Association’s archives and museum in downtown Berryville, VA. The purchase of grain is not only a memento from the trip but goes to help fund both the preservation of the Mill and the running of the museum and archives.

For more information on the mill, please visit the Burwell-Morgan Mill’s website at www.burwellmorganmill.org, email admin@clarkehistory.org or call 540.955-2600.

Fort Loudoun Day on May 18, 2013

Join the French and Indian War Foundation for a journey back in time at the location of Fort Loudoun in Winchester, 419 N. Loudoun St. on May 18 from 10 AM-1 PM. Tours begin at 10 AM, to be followed by guest speaker Larry Johnson at 11 AM, essay contest results at 11:30 AM, and the flag raising at noon. Don’t miss the interactive display presented by Dr. David Clark to learn how an archeological dig functions.

This event will be held rain or shine and is free and open to the public. To learn more, visit the French and Indian War Foundation’s website at www.fiwf.org.

Handley Library and the American Renaissance in Architecture and Art

Dr. Richard Guy Wilson, Architectural Historian and Commonwealth Professor in Architecture History at University of Virginia, will speak at the Friends’ of the Handley Library Annual Meeting on Wed., May 15, 2013, 7:00 p.m., Handley Library Auditorium.

The Handley Library is an excellent example of a major transformation that took place in American art and architecture in the later 19th and 20th century. Spurred by the idea that the Italian Renaissance had sprung to life in the United States, architects and artists created a lasting legacy of classically inspired designs. Dr. Wilson will focus on the idea of an American Renaissance and how the Handley Library embodies its ideas.

The Friend’s Annual Meeting is in honor of the first 100 years of The Handley Library. A reception and book signing will follow the lecture. In addition, Martha Woodruff of WMRA will interview Dr. Wilson on her program The Spark. The program will be broadcast at noon on May 10 and at 3 p.m. on May 11.

To learn more about the Handley Library, visit them at www.handleyregional.org.

Reminder to RSVP for the April 16 Lecture

Don’t forget to RSVP for PHW’s second “lunch and learn” educational lecture “How to Repair and Restore Historic Brick and Mortar” Tuesday, April 16 at noon at the Lewis-Jones Knitting Mill, 126 N. Kent Street, Winchester, VA. The lecture will be held in the main floor conference room at the upper parking lot. Additional parking is available at the George Washington Autopark, 131 N. Kent Street.

The lecture is free to attend and open to the public. If you would like to order a boxed lunch from Panera Bread for the event, please send in your orders to PHW by Sunday, April 14. Boxed lunches can be purchased at www.phwi.org/lectures.php.

To RSVP your attendance without purchasing a lunch, you may call 540-667-3577 or email phwi@verizon.net.

We need your input to plan future lectures and make them relevant to your needs! You can take a quick (less than 5 minute) survey here even if you haven’t attended a lecture yet. If you have some ideas for future topics or if you want to volunteer as a speaker, drop us a line at (540) 667-3577 or phwi@verizon.net.