Monday, March 14, 2011
Speaking Engagement: McLean Historical Society
I wanted to let readers know that I will be speaking to the McLean Historical Society on April 14. Jacque-Lynne Schulman, president of that organization, as well as the Historical Society of Fairfax County, has graciously invited me to give a talk on Fort Marcy. This will be my first speaking engagement on the war since starting the blog, and I am looking forward to sharing what I have learned while researching Fort Marcy and its role in the defenses of Washington. My presentation will also place Fort Marcy in the context of local historical events, including the Union occupation of Langley/Lewinsville (present-day McLean), the Second Manassas Campaign, and Jubal Early's attack on Fort Stevens. I hope to see you next month in McLean!
Event Details
Where:
McLean Community Center
1234 Ingleside Avenue
McLean, Virginia 22101
Date and Time:
Thursday, April 14 @ 7:30 pm
Event is free of charge, and no reservations are required. For more information, contact Jacque-Lynne Schulman, schulm@erols.com or 703-442-9370 (evening).
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11 comments:
You'll have to post about how it all turned out.
Sure. I'd be glad to share my impressions. (And here's to hoping the AV equipment works!)
Awesome Ron! Great job!
Fairfax Civil War
Thanks!
It's great to see the Civil War Defenses of Washington getting some recognition. I recently made a presentation on the defenses at the San Gabriel Valley CWRT. I closed the program with a discussion of Early's raid on Ft. Stevens. It was more a skirmish than a battle, but the defenses did it's job and Lincoln's presence there makes for a great story.
It has become quite the hot topic in the DC area, particularly with the 150th upon us. As you could see from the posts, Arlington County is doing tours, and I believe the NPS has also increased its activities at the various fort locations around the city. Nice to see you spreading the word out in California!
I drive past Ft. Marcy's remains every morning on the way to Chain Bridge and DC. It is a constant reminder of what an armed camp the region was in the 1860s.
If you haven't seen Ft. Ward on a visit to Washington, I would counsel you to do so. Not a site to be missed for those interested in the defenses of Washington. (I did a post on the fort here several months ago--check out the subject tag to the left.)
In 2007, while researching my g-g-grandfather's Civil War letters I visited Ft. Ward and had the privilege of spending several hours with Wally Owen and Susan Cumbey. Both were very hospitable to me and I did get to see the Fort in detail.
One disadvantage of being a Civil War "buff" living in Los Angeles is not being able to just hop in the car and drive for an hour or so (or less) to a site such as Fort Ward. I have to book hotels, fly coast-to-coast and rent a car, just to get started. I'm planning a trip this summer but will have to await retirement before I can really roll up my sleeves and get to work full time on my hobby.
-Greg
Glad you got to visit Ft. Ward.
That's what would scare me most about living on the West Coast, as nice as it is. Even more than earthquakes! Certainly one of the advantages of living out East is our proximity to so many great Civil War sites. Of course, even East Coasters can be jealous of all those who can just hop in a car and go to Shiloh or Pea Ridge!
Haven't made Pea Ridge but did get to Shiloh and Chattanooga several years ago. While researching my ancestor's letters I managed to visit all the major battlefields of the Overland Campaign. This summer I will be seeing Antietam, Manassas and Harper's Ferry/Monocacy. I'd like to visit Appomattox, just to enjoy the drive if nothing else, but on a 7 day visit time is of the essence and I also want to revisit the forts and, of course, I must reserve time for D.C. proper. The rest will have to wait.
If one visits LA, the Huntington Library and the Getty Museum are musts, but there are precious few Civil War sites to see.
I hope you have a great trip to the area. Antietam is a particularly special place; I've been there several times now, and it never fails to move me.
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