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December 2006
rcwrt.org
Sheppard Parsons, President            Rob Monroe, Editor       
107 Rose Hill Road                     2416 Edenbrook Dr.       
Richmond, VA 23229                     Richmond, VA 23228-3040  
shep.parsons@suntrust.com              RMonroe500@comcast.net   

December 2006 PROGRAM Mr. Stephen Recker "IX Corps Final Attack: The Pickett's Charge of Antietam" 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 12, 2006, at the Boulevard United Methodist Church, 321 N. Boulevard, Richmond, VA (corner of Boulevard and Stuart Ave.) Enter the basement door on the right side under the front steps. Stephen Recker is the Director of Antietam Battlefield Guides, a guide service he founded in partnership with Western Maryland Interpretive Association, the non-profit at Antietam National Battlefield. The program is modeled after the Gettysburg system of licensed battlefield guides. Mr. Recker produced Virtual Gettysburg, a critically acclaimed interactive Civil War battlefield tour, and will be releasing Virtual Antietam this coming summer. Both products have companion websites: VirtualGettysburg.com and VirtualAntietam.com. Recker, a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, was named a "Top 100 Producer" by AV Multimedia Producer Magazine. He recently completed a DVD about Little Bighorn and is currently producing a new film for the Antietam National Battlefield visitor center. Over the last 16 years the Antietam National Battlefield Park has more than doubled in size due to the acquisition of properties such as the Otto Farm. The National Park Service continues to improve and interpret the south end of the battlefield which until recently was inaccessible to the public. On the afternoon of Sept 17, 1862 the final Union assault took place over this rolling terrain. The Federal IX Corps literally fought an uphill battle as they ascended 200 feet from the banks of Antietam Creek to the streets of Sharpsburg. They came within a hairsbreadth of cutting off Lee's avenue of escape to the Potomac fords. The broken ground contributed greatly to the Confederate defense and allowed A.P. Hill's arriving reinforcements to inflict a crushing flank attack, which stopped the Union advance. In this month's program, Stephen Recker will take you on a `virtual' tour of that decisive ground using a never-before-seen prototype of Virtual Antietam.
Museum of the Confederacy News and Events At its November's meeting, The Museum of the Confederacy's Board of Trustees announced their election of Executive Director S. Waite Rawls III to the newly established position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Museum Board Chairman Carlton Moffatt said of the appointment, "Electing Mr. Rawls to this position reflects the trust that the Board has in him and his abilities. Since his arrival he has dealt with a remarkably difficult situation with professionalism and sound judgment. We have confidence that with his guidance the Museum will continue to move forward with success." Rawls became executive director of the museum in January 2004 following a long career as an executive in international investment and commercial banking. His parallel career in volunteering for historical and civic organizations includes long-term trusteeships of the Civil War Preservation Trust and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and member of the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors. When asked about his change in position at the museum, Rawls replied, "I am honored that the Board of Trustees has recognized my efforts in this way, but any accomplishments at the Museum are a joint result of the hard work by all the staff, our volunteers, members and donors, who have given of themselves and their resources to help aid the museum through our financial crisis." A native of the town of Franklin, Rawls received a B.A. at VMI and was awarded an M.B.A. and J.D. by the University of Virginia. Since the mid-1980s, he has been director of The Camp Foundation and the College Orientation Workshop, an organization that sponsors rigorous academic summer programs for inner city teenage boys. In other news from the Museum of the Confederacy, the institute is offering visitors the chance to explore its exhibits like never before. "Behind the Glass Case: Gallery Talks and Demonstrations" is a series of programs beginning at 11:45am each Monday through February, excluding Christmas Day and New Years Day. Museum experts chat about their favorite subjects in the galleries and give visitors a fresh look at history. Talks last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and are free with the regular admission price. Please call (804) 649-1861 ext. 10 on the day of the talk for lecture topic. The tentative schedule for upcoming programs includes the Confederate Navy (December 11), a medical demonstration (December 18) and flags on display (January 8). The Museum of the Confederacy has also designed a program for Junior Girl Scouts seeking to meet all the requirements of the Folk Arts Badge. On Saturday January 6, Girl Scouts will discover what photographs can tell us about family life, participate in the Virginia Reel, design a quilt square, play children's games of the past, create their own period craft and tour the White House of the Confederacy. Scout leaders may enroll their troops in either the morning (9:30-12:15) or afternoon (1:45-4:30) session. The program will be offered again in February and March. For more information contact Kelly Hancock at (804) 649-1861 ext. 21 or khancock@moc.org
American Civil War Center Invites Holiday Shoppers The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar is encouraging holiday shoppers to give a gift of history and save money at the same time. Throughout the month of December, shoppers save 10% on all purchases made in the center's museum store. On Sunday, December 17, visitors can enjoy discount admission - $4 for adults/seniors; $2 for children 17 and younger - from 1-5pm. There will be living history demonstrations, period and holiday music, children's "make and take" crafts, light refreshments and free parking. Displays throughout the store will explore a variety of cultural and religious traditions associated with the holiday season. Shoppers are invited to peruse the store's diverse selection of books ranging from works by local authors to biographies of famous Civil War leaders. Books highlighting the African American experience, both pre- and post-Civil War, Richmond history and civilian life line the shelves. For the young at heart, there are collectibles of every kind. From the broad spectrum of reproduction period toys, to such novelties as cartridge powder candies and Lee and Grant bobblehead dolls, there is something for everyone. Dolls of the period, playing cards, plastic swords and toy soldiers allow for active play and youthful imagination. Or, fit your very own uniforms for the little Union or Confederate soldier in the family complete with a hat, coat, belt plate or canteen. The adult history enthusiast may choose from pewter and hand painted collectible statues, jewelry, and house wares. An ornate silver plated clock in a biscuit box is the perfect vintage accent to home d‚cor. The American Civil War Center is open daily, Monday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm. Regular admission to the exhibit is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and students, and $2 for children age 7-12. For more information visit www.tredegar.org, phone (804) 780-1865 ext. 10 for the museum store or visit the Center at 500 Tredegar Street.
Pamplin Park to Host Lecture and Book Signing A. Wilson Greene, author, historian and President & CEO of Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, will speak at the museum about his newest book, Civil War Petersburg: Confederate City in the Crucible of War. The book tracks both Petersburg's civilian experience and the city's place in Confederate military strategy and administration. Employing scores of unpublished sources, the book weaves a uniquely personal story of thousands of citizens -- free blacks, slaves and their holders, factory owners and merchants -- all of whom shared a singular experience in Civil War Virginia. The lecture is free and will be held at 2:00 on Saturday afternoon, December 16 at the Hardtack & Coffee Cafe in the museum. Afterward, Greene will sign copies of his work, which will be available for sale in The Civil War Store at Pamplin Historical Park.
Commission Plans to Commemorate 150th Anniversary of Civil War On Thursday, November 9, members of the newly formed Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission met at Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier. The Commission discussed plans and objectives for the upcoming commemoration of the American Civil War. Organizations represented in this meeting included Commission members of the General Assembly, the National Park Service, the Civil War Preservation Trust, the Virginia Historical Society, the White House and Museum of the Confederacy and Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier. Noted individuals in the discussion included the Chair, Speaker of the House of Delegates, Bill Howell; Vice-Chair, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, John Chichester; and distinguished author and historian, Dr. James I. Robertson, Jr. A. Wilson Greene, President and CEO of Pamplin Historical Park stated, "This commemoration needs to include all Virginians from all walks of life. The 150th anniversary will be our best opportunity to create a new generation of Civil War enthusiasts." The Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission was created this year and will be a standing commission through July 1, 2015. The commission is charged with planning, developing, and carrying out programs and activities appropriate to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Civil War in Virginia. To find out more about the 150th anniversary commemoration of the Civil War, contact Cheryl Jackson, Division of Legislative Services, at (804) 786-3591. In 2007, a new website specifically dedicated for the commemoration will have more detailed information of events and meetings at www.virginiacivilwar.org
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RCWRT Monthly Speakers for 2006
Richmond Civil War Round Table Newsletter Rob Monroe, Editor 2416 Edenbrook Dr. Richmond, VA 23228-3040


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