Part 1: Commemorating the Fall of Richmond 150 years later

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Spring in Capitol Square, Richmond, Virginia. The Old City Hall building in the background.

See also Part 2: Commemorating the Fall of Richmond 150 years later.

‘150 Years Ago: On This Day’ Tour – The Battle of Waynesboro

By Lynn R. Mitchell

On Monday, March 2, 2015, at the Plumb House in Waynesboro, the Battle of Waynesboro will be remembered at 4:00 p.m.  as part of a series of special “On This Day” tours commemorating the Valley’s Civil War battles on the exact date of their 150th Anniversary.

This car caravan tour of key sites related to the March 2, 1865, battle will be led by Richard G. Williams, author of The Battle of Waynesboro.  The tour will begin at the historic Plumb House, the circa 1802-1806 home that was at the center of the day’s fighting.  1021 West Main St. Waynesboro.  (Parking behind building off of Sycamore Street; follow signs.)  Presented by the Waynesboro Heritage Foundation and the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.  Free. For more information, call Terry Heder at 540-740-4545.

H/T Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation

Battle of Waynesboro 150th anniversary Civil War reenactment

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Mark your calendars for Saturday and Sunday, February 28 and March 1, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., to experience the Civil War’s Battle of Waynesboro 150th anniversary reenactment. Battle reenactments will take place each day at 1:00 p.m.

If you’re going:

WHAT: Battle of Waynesboro 150th Anniversary Civil War Reenactment
WHERE: 1219 Rockfish Road, Augusta County, Virginia
WHEN: Saturday, February 28, and Sunday, March 1, 2015
TIME: 1:00 p.m.
DIRECTIONS: Reenactment will take place on the east side of Hugh K. Cassell Elementary School. Follow signs.
TRANSPORTATION: Fishburne Military School bus transportation from Constitution Park to “battle” site and back will be available each day, with hourly runs.
COST: Free
MORE INFO: WaynesboroHeritageFoundation.com / (540) 943-3943.

H/T Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation

Foggy view from Shenandoah Mountain

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Fog settled on the mountains over the weekend but didn’t obscure the beauty of autumn in western Virginia. Here’s the Confederate Breastworks trail at Fort Johnson on top of Shenandoah Mountain.

Virginia lands Civil War era TV series

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Virginia is for movie lovers. Once again, the Commonwealth has been chosen for an historical drama television series.

The pilot for “Point of Honor” will be filmed in central Virginia. Set during the Civil War, it will relay the story of a Virginia family that has been torn apart by the war. Locations were not announced but filming will begin in September for ABC and Amazon Studios.

Some pretty accomplished names will be a part of the project. From the Richmond Times-Dispatch (see Pilot for historical TV series to be filmed in Richmond area):

Staunton’s Jedediah Hotchkiss house is for sale

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The Oaks, the historic home owned by Stonewall Jackson’s map maker Jedediah Hotchkiss, is located at 437 East Beverley Street in Staunton. Built by Hotchkiss in 1888, it is a Queen Anne and Eastlake-style mansion that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Virginia Landmark Register. The three-story house on 1.45 acres complete with carriage house is for sale for $1.5 million (see Home of Legendary War Cartographer Jedediah Hotchkiss for sale in Virginia).

During the Civil War, Hotchkiss’ detailed maps of the Shenandoah Valley were a basis of Jackson’s victories during the Valley Campaign of 1862. His story is a fascinating one — a New Yorker who moved south and lived out his years in Staunton. An educator, he opened the Loch Willow school for boys in Churchville in western Augusta County. Hotchkiss Road is a reminder of his contribution to the community.