The Civil War Sesquicentennial: Events & Resources
Shelf Life
Postcard Collection
The Civil War Sesquicentennial: Events & Resources
Shelf Life
Postcard Collection

History Blog

Union Church of Falmouth: The Power of Preservation
Abolitionists, Anthony Burns, Churches, Falmouth, History Feature Articles, LibraryPoint Blog, Moncure Daniel Conway, Stafford 350, Stafford County (Va.), Virginia Johnson, History & Politics, History Blog
05/15/2013 - 2:05pm
Renovating Union Church

When the storm destroyed Union Church’s roof in 1950, there wasn’t much to be done about it. It had not been used since 1935, after all, and rebuilding a church requires a committed congregation. But churches are centers of the community, and during its lengthy, active history, Union Church was established as an important part of Falmouth’s past--and America’s, too. So, in an effort to preserve what they could, local people bricked up the narthex (the front of the church) to house a few things from years gone by, including a bell and a pew dating to just after the Civil War. What we see today is a slice of the original building, but that building has quite a history and what was preserved will soon be shared at the new National Museum of African American History on the Washington Mall.

View full post
Kind Acts and Courage at Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville, Chancellor family, Civil War - U.S., History Feature Articles, LibraryPoint Blog, Spotsylvania County (Va.), Virginia Johnson, History & Politics, History Blog
05/05/2013 - 4:15pm
The Chancellor House during the Civil War

Now that the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Chancellorsville is upon us, it seems a fitting time to look at how the lives of a family of mainly young women were affected by being suddenly thrust into a war zone and how they were able to survive with the aid of an enemy officer. Sue Chancellor was only fourteen when the area around her home became a bloody battlefield. Their house, called Chancellorsville, was used for a headquarters by first the Confederate and then the Union army while the family continued to live there.

View full post
In the Beginning... A Checklist for Genealogical Neophytes
Genealogy, LibraryPoint Blog, Pamela Smith, Pathfinders, History & Politics, History Blog, Genealogy, Self-Help and Instructional
04/26/2013 - 12:00pm
Crash Course in Genealogy

Genealogical research is a profession for some and a hobby for many.  With the advent of TV shows such as “Who Do You Think You Are?” and the multitude of resources available online, there are some interested novices entering the field who need a little help knowing where to start.  The following brief overview is for these beginners.

View full post
Ruth Coder Fitzgerald: A Life Filled with Determination
African American history, Fredericksburg (Va.), LibraryPoint Blog, Local authors, Local Historians, Local History, Virginia Johnson, Biographies & Memoirs, History Blog
04/19/2013 - 7:40pm
Ruth Coder Fitzgerald: A Life Filled with Determination

“She was always very generous with her time and hospitality to me, and I loved working with her. She helped me with my walking tour as well. I have not been in touch with her over the past several years, but to this day whenever I give one of my walking tours downtown, I make sure that all on the tour with me are made aware that the basis for most of the information shared on the walking tour is the result of the great work and passion of one Ruth Coder Fitzgerald and her book -- A Different Story. In my view, Ruth was always a caring and powerful voice for the underdog, the ‘little guy,’ and her lifelong commitment to inform, to teach, and advocate for that particular constituent speaks volumes about her makeup, her sense of fairness for all, and her heart of gold. My admiration and love for Ruth, and what she stood for, is never-ending.”

--Jervis Hairston, former City Planner and local historian

On April 10, 2013, a highly-regarded pioneer in local African American history died at her home in downtown Fredericksburg. Ruth Coder Fitzgerald was well-known throughout the community for her historical research and writings as well as for her championing of an important cause for Vietnam veterans.

View full post
more