With Scott Harris.

Scott will discuss dendrochronology (tree ring dating) undertaken in 2023 at the historic House Belmont.  Harris will review the process and results of the project, which helped establish a more precise date of construction for the oldest portion of the structure.

Scott Harris is the Executive Director of the University of Mary Washington Museums and an editorial advisor to the White House Historical Association.

This presentation will be recorded and posted to Facebook and the Discover Stafford “Past Presentations” portion of the events page.

NOTE;  Our originally scheduled program “Good/Better/Best: Options for Keeping Your Family History Safe” with Terri Blanchette will not be presented this month.  Terri will unfortunately not be available.  We hope to have her present this program in the future.

Please join us on November 21, 2024 for “Dating the Historic House Belmont” with Scott Harris.

Via Colori® Stafford! is a two-day, family-friendly event, taking place from 10:00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, September 28, through Sunday, September 29, 2024.

The 2024 event will be held at the Stafford Regional Airport. Accessible parking and portable restrooms will be available. Food vendors will be on-site should you wish to purchase refreshments. The event is free for participating artists and the public, and you’ll find a number of community organizations and sponsor tables to visit, plus activities for children. Artists will be busy creating their chalk paintings on well-spaced squares, so you’ll be able to walk around and watch them in action.

Learn more at: vcstafford.com

with Jerrilynn Eby MacGregor

This program discusses the early settlement and development of the area that was designated as Stafford County in 1664.  It covers the system of land grants, patents, and headrights as well as the first European families to settle here.  Discusses the early parishes, courthouses, and industries.

Jerrilynn grew up in Stafford on the back of a horse and, as a teenager, became fascinated with the county’s history. Having spent her youth at Aquia Church (1757) and amongst several of the county’s old families, she heard the local oral history and eventually learned that little beyond oral tradition existed in Stafford due to vandalism by Union troops during the Civil War. In 1862 and 1863, the invading soldiers stole or destroyed many of the county’s court records and, as a result, traditional historians largely ignored Stafford and rarely even mentioned it in their books. In time, she began compiling information from the deeds, wills, court records, tax records, and newspapers that did exist, added to that the oral history, and tracked down other sources of information. Nearly forty years later, she is still researching her beloved Stafford County and publishing her studies so others might better appreciate the activities and families that made the county so special. Most of her research focuses on land tracts, mills, and industries, but she’s grateful for any tidbit that will help to develop Stafford’s unique story. She has published ten books about Stafford’s history.

Jerrilynn retired from the Prince William County Public Schools after working for 31 years as a middle school librarian.

Note:  the previously published program for September on Frances Benjamin Johnston with Connie Hilker had to be rescheduled and will be presented in the future.

This presentation will be recorded and posted to Facebook and the Discover Stafford “Past Presentations” portion of the events page.

With Jane Conner.

Join us for an informative presentation on Civil War artist, Alfred Waud, by Jane Conner.  Alfred Waud was an American artist and illustrator, born and raised in London, England. He is most notable for the lively and detailed sketches of scenes from the Civil War, which he covered as a press correspondent.  His drawings captured the war’s dramatic intensity and furnished him with a reputation as one of the preeminent artist-journalists of his era.

Jane Conner was the citizen most responsible for saving Government Island and was one of the leaders in saving Ferry Farm, George Washington’s boyhood home. Author of Birthstone of the White House and Capitol, Lincoln in Stafford, and Sinners, Saints and Soldiers in Civil War Stafford, she has donated all proceeds to the historical society’s museum fund. A five-time past President of the historical society, she also lectures extensively, serves on the historical commission and heads an educator committee which integrates Stafford history into Virginia’s Standards of Learning. A recipient of the National Conservation Award of the Daughters of the American Revolution, her congressional testimony was vital to national recognition of Government Island and her scholarship and activism to its establishment as a park.

This presentation will be recorded and posted to Facebook and the Discover Stafford “Past Presentations” portion of the events page.