Library of Virginia E-Newsletter October 2013

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Evans-Hylton to Open Evening Celebration on Virginia Food and Foodways

To cap off Archives Month in Virginia, the archives staff at the Library of Virginia will offer Homegrown: Celebrating Virginia's Cultural Heritage in its Archives and Special Collections, October 30, 6:00–8:30 PM.This free event brings together food-culture historians—the modern interpreters of historical foodways—and local food-movement advocates: practitioners, growers, and promoters of regional food and beverages.

Patrick Evans-Hylton—chef, food historian and writer, and author of Dishing Up Virginia: 145 Recipes That Celebrate Colonial Traditions and Contemporary Flavors—will open the festivities with a brief talk on his new book. Dishing Up Virginia is a food-history book full of delectable recipes from every region of the state. An award-winning food journalist based in Hampton Roads, Evans-Hylton trained as a chef at Johnson and Wales University and has covered food and foodways since 1995. He is senior editor for food and wine...

Former Board Member's Personal Papers Added to Archives

Many friends of the Library of Virginia remember Andy McCutcheon, a member of both the Library Board and Library of Foundation Board. McCutcheon passed away on February 12, 2012, and his wife, Charlotte, recently donated his personal papers to the archives. McCutcheon was born in Webster Springs, West Virginia, on May 12, 1927, and graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in Charleston. He attended the University of Tennessee on a football scholarship, but left to join the Navy during World War II. Following his military service, he graduated from Washington and Lee University and joined the sports staff of the Richmond News Leader in 1949.

McCutcheon served as an executive assistant to U.S. Representatives J. Vaughan Gary (1892–1973) and David E. Satterfield III (1920–1988), and as a special assistant in the Office of Economic Opportunity under Sargent Shriver. He was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for Congress in the Eighth District of Virginia in 1968, and a year later managed the successful campaign of J. Sargeant Reynolds...

No Vacancy: Remnants of Virginia's Roadside Culture to Open October 15 at the Library of Virginia

The next time you drive along Route 1, glance out the window and look for an old motel. Some are now disguised as antique malls, others are abandoned and exist as haunting reminders of a bygone era, and those still operating don't look as inviting as they may once have appeared. Try to imagine these tourist cottages and motels in their heyday, however. Bright neon signs flashed "No Vacancy." Families unloaded cars for a night's rest. Hungry travelers ordered hot chicken dinners in the motel's restaurant before turning in for the night.

A new photography exhibition at the Library of Virginia—No Vacancy: Remnants of Virginia's Roadside Culture, October 15, 2013–February 22, 2014—will focus on a selection of motels and tourist courts found along Virginia's historic Route 1, weaving the individual stories into their historical context. The more than 25 historic and contemporary photographs and accompanying text in the exhibition will highlight architectural elements, present the significance of race and class in the history of travel, and demonstrate how the perception and operation of motels...

2013 SMW Honoree Hairston Donates Prize Money to Establish Scholarship

Last winter Christiansburg community advocate Nannie Berger Hairston was honored as one of 2013's Strong Men and Women in Virginia History by Dominion Virginia Power and the Library of Virginia. As an honoree, Hairston received a monetary gift of $5,000. True to Hairston's commitment to empowering people, she donated the funds to the New River Community College Educational Foundation to establish an endowed scholarship in memory of her husband, John T. Hairston. Her family is in the process of raising an additional $20,000 for the scholarship fund.

A spokesman for the NRCC Education Foundation recently announced that NRCC president Dr. Jack Lewis and his wife, Dr. Mary Ann Lewis, have pledged matching gifts for each donation received toward the scholarship to create a second...

Database Spotlight: fold3 History and Genealogy Archives Plus

The Library of Virginia is excited to provide access to the fold3 History and Genealogy Archives Plus database. This resource contains over 60 milliondocuments and is a virtual treasure trove of military records and personal histories. Select nonmilitary items such as census records, historical newspapers, state records, city directories, and naturalization records are also included. Some of the unique archival collections that make up this database are briefly described below.

American Revolution Archives
The American Revolution Archives contain more than 4.7 million pages of original historical documents culled from materials at the National Archives. Names and details of thousands of men can be found in the Revolutionary War rolls and Revolutionary War service records. The Orderly Books Collection contains handwritten volumes documenting military orders, movements, and engagements between 1748 and 1817. Detailed accounts of troops' daily lives, documenting everything from court-martial cases to the price of necessities charged by locals, can be explored.

World War II Archives
The World War II Archives are made up of several collections that include documents regarding military conferences, captured German soldiers, foreign military studies, JAG case files, Nuremberg interrogation records, submarine patrol reports, and more. A small but vivid collection of photographs of Japanese soldiers and allied prisoners of war personalizes the conflict.

African American Archives
The African AmericanArchives provide over one million pages of original historical documents related to the African American experience over several centuries. Users can view news clippings, letters, and families’ narrative accounts, as well as information...

Governor McDonnell Fills Vacancies on Library Board

Christopher G. Oprison (USMC), of Lovettsville, is a litigator at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom, LLP, and former associate counsel and special assistant to President George W. Bush. He advises corporations and individuals in connection with federal criminal and civil matters as well as government enforcement matters before federal and state administrative agencies.

M. David Skiles, of Centreville, is government relations advisor for the Vectre Corporation, where he serves as director of Northern Virginia Client Services. Originally from Pennsylvania, he is a graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania, and George Mason University, where he majored in government and international politics.

Marcy Sims, of Virginia Beach, served from 1976 until her retirement in September as director of Virginia Beach Public Library, where she oversaw the library's expansion from three locations to 10, greatly increased its collection, and promoted the role ...

November 8 Deadline Set for 2014 Strong Men & Women Essays

High school students are invited to participate in Dominion Virginia Power's and the Library of Virginia's 2014 Strong Men & Women writing contest, which honors outstanding African Americans in Virginia. Students must submit their 400-word essays online at http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/smw/2014/essay-submit.htm by Friday, November 8, 2013, for a chance to win an HP Pavilion laptop computer and $1,000 for their school. Entrants must be Virginia high school students at private or public schools or homeschoolers. Four winning entries will be chosen, one from each of the four regions that Dominion Virginia Power serves. Each winner and a school representative must attend the awards ceremony on February 5, 2014, in Richmond in order to receive the awards.

The contest asks students to consider the career and courage of one of last year's honorees, John Mitchell Jr. (1863–1929), editor of the influential African American...

Virginia Coalition for Open Government Establishes Woodrum Legislative Internship

Chip Woodrum represented Roanoke and part of Roanoke County in the House of Delegates from 1980 until 2003. His dedication to the Roanoke area was apparent to all who worked with him. Among his lasting contributions to the commonwealth were his efforts in establishing the Freedom of Information Advisory Council and the Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program.

He was appointed to the Library Board in 2004 by Governor Mark Warner and reappointed in 2009 by Governor Tim Kaine. He served as chair of the Library Board and was an effective advocate for the Library of Virginia and public libraries ...

Library to Scan Original Family Records at Czech & Slovak Festival

On Saturday, October 19, 2013, staff from the Library of Virginia will participate in the first-ever Virginia Czech & Slovak Folklife Festival at the Prince George County Regional Heritage Center from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Library staff will be available to scan privately held historical materials related to ethnic communities in the area. People are encouraged to bring original family materials such as old photographs, letters, and documents to be scanned.

Late in the 19th century, more than 700 Czech and Slovak families came to Virginia. The greatest number settled in the counties of Prince George, Dinwiddie, and Chesterfield, mostly on farmlands that had been abandoned after the Civil War. Others settled in Charles City, Hanover, Henrico, Greensville, and New Kent.

"The Library of Virginia is excited to be able to help preserve these priceless remnants of the history of Virginia's Czech- and Slovak-American families," said Carl Childs, local government services director at the Library of Virginia. "We will offer copies to those...

Nominate Your Library for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service!

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is seeking nominations for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation's highest honor for exemplary museum and library community service. Medal winners will be the institutions that make the most extraordinary civic, educational, economic, environmental, and social contributions. Nominations are due October 15, 2013.

Any individual may nominate a library in the United States and its territories for the National Medal and all types of libraries, including public, school, academic, research, and archival, are eligible to receive this honor. Recipient institutions receive the National Medal at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C., along with a $5,000 award in recognition of their extraordinary civic, educational, economic, environmental, or social contributions. After the ceremony, StoryCorps—a national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Americans—will visit each institution to provide ...

Fry-Jefferson Map Society to Celebrate Acquisition of the Confederate Pattern Map

A private reception from 4:00–7:00 PM on November 20 will recognize Fry-Jefferson Map Society members and celebrate the successful acquisition of the Confederate Pattern Map of the (Lower) Shenandoah Valley. The map will be on display from 4:00 to 7:00 PM along with a wine-and-cheese reception to honor the members of the Fry-Jefferson Map Society.

The mission of the Fry-Jefferson Map Society is to develop, enhance, and promote the cartographic collections of the Library of Virginia. All funds raised by the society go directly to support this mission. The $50 membership fee entitles you to special benefits, including free admission to the annual Voorhees Lecture, advance notice of lectures and other Library programs, and recognition in the Library of Virginia Foundation's annual report.

To learn more about the Fry-Jefferson Map Society or to become a member please...

Monday, October 14, 2013
Closed
The Library of Virginia will be closed for Columbus Day.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Poetic Principles featuring Charles Wright and Ellen Bryant Voigt
Time: 6:00 PM–7:30 PM
Place: Conference Rooms
The Library of Virginia, in partnership with Blackbird online journal of literature and the arts, present an evening of poetry with 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Charles Wright and National Book Award finalist Ellen Bryant Voigt. A wine-and-cheese reception and book signing will follow the presentation.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013–Saturday, February 22, 2014
No Vacancy: Remnants of Virginia's Roadside Culture
Time: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Explore the evolution of Virginia's roadside lodging along U.S. Route 1, once the main highway for travel along the East Coast, through this exhibition of vintage and current photographs.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Come Tour the Archives of the Commonwealth at the Library of Virginia
Time: 10:00 AM-–11:00 AM
FREE, Space is limited. Call 804-692-3605.
The Library of Virginia is celebrating Archives Month with behind-the-scenes tours of the Archives Stacks, Conservation Lab, and Special Collections.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

BOOK LAUNCH: Buried Leads by LynDee Walker
Time: 6:00–7:30 PM
Place: Lecture Hall and Lobby
Richmond author LynDee Walker will present a book talk at the Library of Virginia to launch the release of Buried Leads, the second book in her Nichelle Clark Headlines in Heels Mystery series. A wine-and-cheese reception and book signing will follow the talk.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013
FILM SCREENING: To Kill A Mockingbird
Time: 7:15–9:30 PM
Place: Byrd Theatre (2908 W Cary St.)
Join us at the Byrd Theatre as we celebrate one of America's most beloved works of fiction, which will now feature live performances by the Virginia Repertory Theatre, whose stage production of Harper Lee's novel runs through October 30th at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre.

Thursday, October 17, 2013
Take 30 Lunchtime Talk with Eric S. Yellin
Time: 12:30 PM–1:00 PM
Place: University of Richmond Downtown (626 East Broad Street), FREE
Join us for a 30 minute discussion of Racism in the Nation's Service: Government Workers and the Color Line in Woodrow Wilson's America by author Eric S. Yellin.

Thursday, October 17, 2013
BOOK LAUNCH: Guests on Earth by Lee Smith
Time: 5:30–7:30 PM
Place: Conference Rooms & Lobby
Award-winning Virginia author Lee Smith, recipient of the Library's 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award, will present a book talk to launch the release of Guests on Earth. A book signing and reception will follow the talk.

Thursday, October 17, 2013
Author Appearance & Book Signing: A Visitor's Guide to the Literary South by Trish Foxwell
Time: 6:00–8:00 PM
Place: Poe Museum (1914 E Main St.)
Trish Foxwell will speak and sign copies of her book, which takes travelers on a literary journey stretching from Virginia to Louisiana and includes Edgar Allan Poe's connections to Richmond, Charlottesville, and Charleston, South Carolina.

Thursday, October 17, 2013
Teen '13 Book & Author Celebration
Time: 6:00–8:00 PM
Place: Richmond Public Library (101 E. Franklin St.)
A group of award-winning and best-selling Virginia authors of books released in 2013 will host an evening of celebration for all readers and fans of pre-teen and teen fiction.

Friday, October 18, 2013
James River Writers Master Classes
Time: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Place: Virginia State Capitol, House and Senate Rooms 3, FEE
Half-day workshops will explore techniques in writing and strategies for seeking publication. Visit James River Writers (www.jamesriverwriters.org) for more information or e-mail fallconference@jamesriverwriters.org.

Friday, October 18, 2013
Book Talk: Martha Jefferson Randolph, Daughter of Monticello by Cynthia Kierner
Time: 1:00–2:00 PM
Place: Wilton House Museum (215 S. Wilton Rd.)
Historian Cynthia Kierner discusses and signs her book Martha Jefferson Randolph, Daughter of Monticello: Her Life and Times. Tours of Wilton House will also be available before and after the talk.

Friday, October 18, 2013
Author Appearance & Book Signing: Children's Book Author and Illustrator Cece Bell
Time: 4:00–6:00 PM
Place: bbgb (3100 Kensington Ave)
Children's book store bbgb hosts author and illustrator Cece Bell for a book signing, with an opportunity to meet the famous Sock Monkey.

Friday, October 18, 2013
Author Appearance and Book Signing: Homeland by LuAnn Keener-Mikenas
Time: 6:00–7:00 PM
Place: Chop Suey Books (2913 W. Cary Street), FREE
Join us for a poetry reading and book signing with LuAnn Keener-Mikenas, finalist for the 2013 Library of Virginia Literary Award for Poetry.

Friday, October 18, 2013
Art Meets Literature: An Undying Love Affair
Time: 6:00–7:30 PM
Place: VMFA, Pauley Center, FEE: $5
The Library of Virginia and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts have collaborated to create the Mary Lynn Kotz Award for Art in Literature, which will be presented here for the first time, along with a presentation exploring the relationship between literature and the visual arts.

Friday, October 18, 2013
Author Appearance & Book Signing: Guests on Earth by Lee Smith
Time: 6:30–7:30 PM
Place: Sam Miller's Restaurant (1210 Cary Street)
Fountain Bookstore hosts author Lee Smith for a book signing at Sam Miller's Restaurant.

Saturday, October 19, 2013
Create Your Own Book: A Workshop for Kids
Time: 10:00–11:30 AM
Place: Henrico Public Library, Tuckahoe Branch (1901 Starling Dr.)
Richmond author and educator Kathryn Starke will lead a workshop for aspiring authors ages six to nine at Tuckahoe Area Library. Participants will turn their story ideas into an illustrated, bound book. All materials will be provided.

Saturday, October 19, 2013
Author Appearance & Book Signing: Former First Lady Susan Allen
Time: 10:00–11:30 AM
Place: Twin Hickory Public Library (5001 Twin Hickory Rd., Glen Allen) 804-290-9200
Former First Lady of Virginia Susan Allen will sign copies of her colorful and charming new children's book, The Remarkable Ronald Reagan: Cowboy and Commander in Chief.

Saturday, October 19, 2013
Literary Luncheon
Time: 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
Place: Greater Richmond Convention Center, FEE: $50
The Library of Virginia's annual Literary Luncheon, presented in partnership with James River Writers, features medal presentations for all Virginia Literary Award finalists and a keynote presentation. Finalists and other guest authors will be available for book signings after the luncheon. Registration is available online through the Virginia Shop at www.thevirginiashop.org/literaryluncheon.aspx.

Saturday, October 19, 2013
Author Appearance & Book Signing: A Visitor's Guide to the Literary South by Trish Foxwell
Time: 2:00–4:00 PM
Place: St. John's Church (2401 E. Broad St.)
The Visitor Center at St. John's Church will host author Trish Foxwell for a book signing and tea reception.

Saturday, October 19, 2013
Author Appearance & Book Signing: Heather Andrea Williams
Time: 2:30–4:00 PM
Place: Ebenezer Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall (216 W. Leigh Street)
Help Me to Find My People: The African American Search for Family Lost in Slavery explores the heartbreaking stories of separation and the long, usually unsuccessful, journeys toward reunification for African-American families following the Civil War.

Saturday, October 19, 2013
Author Appearance & Book Signing: Philippa Ballantine and Tee Morris
Time: 2:30–4:30 PM
Place: Chop Suey Books
Enjoy an afternoon of fantasy and steampunk. Meet Philippa Ballantine and Tee Morris, co-authors of the award-winning Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series, and get their latest book signed at Richmond's best-loved independent bookseller.

Saturday, October 19, 2013
Library of Virginia Literary Awards Celebration
Time: 6:30–10:30 PM
Place: Library of Virginia, FEE: $175
The Library of Virginia's annual Literary Awards Celebration will feature an array of Virginia's literary luminaries plus up and coming authors. A cocktail reception will be followed by dinner and the ceremony. Tickets include a cocktail reception with the authors, seated dinner, presentation, and open bar for $175 per person. For more information or to register, visit www.literaryva.com or call 804-356-1928.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Homegrown: Celebrating Virginia's Cultural Heritage in Its Archives & Special Collections
Time: 6:00–8:30 PM
Place: Lobby and Lecture Hall
Patrick Evans-Hylton will discuss his new book, Dishing Up Virginia to start this unique event bringing together food-culture historians—the modern interpreters of historical foodways—and local food-movement advocates: practitioners, growers, and promoters of regional food and beverages.

Thursday, October 31, 2013
No Cause of Offense: A Virginia Family of Union Loyalists Confronts the Civil War
Time: Noon–1:00 PM
Place: Conference Rooms
Lewis F. Fisher will share the story of a Virginia family from the Shenandoah Valley who remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War and became influential afterward. A book signing will follow the talk.

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