Newsfrom the Director's Desk

T Thomashe Balch Library • 208B W. Markealcht St. • Leesburg, VA 20176 • 703-737-7195 C • Faxolumn: 703-737-7150 • Email: [email protected] Programs sponsored by Thomas Balch Library are held in the downstairs meeting room and are free unless otherwise noted. Due to limited seating we recommend registering in advance From the Director's Desk by calling 703/737-7195.

Thomas Balch Library is hosting a series of six lectures in honor of the An Evening with James Monroe 250th Anniversary of Leesburg’s legal establishment as a town. These lectures “Bringing History Alive” News are sponsored by Thomas Balch Library, Town of Leesburg, TBL Advisory Saturday, 20 September 2008, 5:30-8PM Commission, Friends of the Thomas Balch Library, Inc., and Loudoun County Daniel F. Preston, PhD, editor of The Papers of James Monroe and Historical Society. The first three lectures were held during the spring and professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, were well received – these included talks on William Wirt and his presence VA, will speak about President Monroe at Oak Hill, home of the fifth in the heart of Leesburg by Elizabeth Brand Monroe, Mapping Leesburg President of the United States. Jay Harrison, a re-enactor, will meet by Eugene Scheel, and a panel discussion by Heidi Siebentritt, Michael and greet guests as James Monroe. This event, sponsored by Friends Clem, and David Clark on Leesburg’s development through archaeology. of the Thomas Balch Library, Inc., is in support of Thomas Balch Forthcoming lectures will discuss transportation, the African American Library. Tickets are $125 per person and seating is limited. For infor- Community, and Leesburg on the eve of the American Revolution. mation contact Friends of the Thomas Balch Library at 703-737-2166. Details may be found elsewhere in this newsletter and online at http://www.leesburgva.com/services/Library/Newsletter/. Our new series of classes introducing novice and experienced researchers to the intricacies The Civil War in Loudoun County of resources at Thomas Balch Library Maximizing your Time at Thomas Balch Library: An Virginia: A History of Hard Times Introduction to the Library, Its Resources and Research Techniques, currently scheduled Stevan F. Meserve through December 2008, will continue on the first Thursday of each month (except January, July and Sunday, 21 September 2008, 2PM September) in 2009 with classes on such topics as research techniques in genealogy and history, using Author Stevan Meserve will discuss and autograph archival and visual collections and digital databases. Check our online calendar for updated information. his recent publication The Civil War in Loudoun County With grant funds from the Loudoun Library Foundation and contributions by Friends of the Virginia: A History of Hard Times (March 2008). Meserve Thomas Balch Library, Inc., the library has produced a limited edition DVD and booklet of the special is a Loudoun County historian, president of the Eastern lecture series honoring the 250th Anniversary of Loudoun County in 2007. Printed excerpts from the Loudoun Civil War Roundtable, and part-time tour guide lectures accompanied by a 60 minute DVD are available for $15. We have had numerous requests from at Civil War battlefields and sites for Loudoun County patrons for recordings of our lectures. Last year we recorded James R. Sweeney’s presentation on his Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community book Politics and Culture in the Twentieth Century South: Race, Reason, and Massive Resistance. It is Services. Meserve contributed to the Library of Congress available as a DVD on demand for $10. New gift merchandise includes a mouse pad with an image of Civil War Desk Reference and was a photo researcher for Thomas Balch Library for $5. To showcase our visual collections and to commemorate Leesburg’s 250th Time-Life’s The Civil War: Images of an American Tragedy. Anniversary, we are creating a postcard that we hope to have available this fall. Publications include articles which have appeared in Among the new additions to the library research collection: the eight volume set, The African America’s Civil War, Civil War Times Illustrated, Civil War American National Biography, edited by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., 2008, donated by the Black History Magazine, The Skirmish Line, and the Washington Times. In the Committee and Friends of the Thomas Balch Library, Inc.; five books by the president of Harvard and Shadow of the Enemy: The Civil War Journal of Ida Powell Dulany native of Shenandoah Valley, Drew Gilpin Faust, including her latest This Republic of Suffering: Death of Oakley, which Meserve edited, is due for release later this year. and the American Civil War, 2008; Encyclopedia of Appalachia, edited by Rudy Abramson, 2006, and the Books will be available for purchase. two volume set, Women in the American Civil War, edited by Lisa Tendrich Frank. These new additions to our collection and other book and periodical holdings may be found in the Loudoun County Public Library online catalogue. Recently processed manuscript and visual collections include: Clerk’s Office Tour, Loudoun County Leesburg Municipal Currency (“Dog Money”) 1861 (SC 0034), small denominations printed by the Town Courthouse Historical Records of Leesburg during the Civil War; the Martin L. Cook Collection (VC 0021), photographs of a local African John Fishback American pilot from the 1930’s and 1940’s; Westmoreland Davis Memorabilia (SC 0036), a collection of Monday, 6 October 2008, 7PM election items; Loudoun Sketch Club (M 040), records and scrapbooks from the local artists’ organiza- Meet in the parking lot of Thomas Balch Library by 6:45PM tion; and Chichester Family Collection (M 038), framed 19th century diplomas from Margaret Mercer’s John Fishback, Historic Records Manager for Loudoun County, girls school and a book with family bookplate. Guides to these other processed collections may be found will lead a tour of the Clerk’s Office. He will discuss the extent of on our website http://www.leesburgva.com/services/library/online/specialcollections/. We have added Loudoun County’s records holdings, where to look for records of access to several digital collections during this last year: Access Newspaper Archive, Footnote, and births, deaths, marriages, and deeds, and how to use these records Virginia Sanborn Maps. Access to America: History and Life is now available due to generous donations in research. In recognition of Leesburg’s 250th Anniversary, empha- from the Loudoun County Civil War Roundtable and Loudoun County Historical Society. sis will be placed on Loudoun County records relating to the town. During its meeting in July, Thomas Balch Library Advisory Commission elected Francis R. Fera, No one is permitted to enter restricted areas of the Clerk’s Office Chair and James H. Hershman, Jr., Vice Chair. Members of the Commission are James A. Morgan, III, after 7:00PM, so the group will leave the library promptly at 6:45PM. James P. Roberts, Joan G. Rokus, Martha Schonberger and Lou Etta Watkins; Councilmanic, Thomas S. Dunn, II, and Board of Supervisors representative, Kelly Burk. In June the Commission participated in the Twelfth Annual Loudoun County Public Schools Social Science Fair and presented an anniversary award Excavating at the Werowocomoco in recognition of Leesburg’s 250th anniversary to Alexander I. Bailey for his exhibit “Historical Sites in Site in 2007, Gloucester County, VA Leesburg” in the Geography and Mapping category. The Commission also sponsors the annual Loudoun David Brown History Awards held in November, with nominations accepted in October. For information please see Sunday, 12 October 2008, 2PM the History Awards brochure online at: http://www.leesburgva.gov/Services/Library/Loudoun-History- The Werowocomoco research project, currently in Awards-Brochure.pdf its fifth year, is grounded in close consultation with A revised and updated brochure on the library is now available on request. These updates and Virginia’s tribes regarding archaeology at the Contact- revisions will soon be reflected in our web presence. The library is very active – by frequently checking period political center of the Powhatan chiefdom and the our website, you will be able to keep up with our activities, research collection additions and events. setting of John Smith’s often-retold account of rescue by As always it will be my pleasure to welcome you when visiting Thomas Balch Library or when Pocahontas. Excavations during the 2007 season attending our programs. continued to reveal the paths of three sets of ditches, Alexandra S. Gressitt, Library Director perhaps used by Virginia Indians to separate the residen- tial core from a ceremonial area and residential complex associated with Powhatan and his predecessors The Country Squire Who Changed Washington dating as far back as AD1200 and lasting through David Finley, Quiet Force for America’s Arts contact with Europeans. This discussion of the Werowocomoco Research Group’s current understanding of the David Doheny Anne Emmett gave Oatlands to the site’s cultural landscape combines a reading of documentary, Sunday, 26 October 2008, 2PM National Trust for perpetual protection. cartographic, and archaeological sources. It is easy to forget the institutions David Brown is a founding member of the Werowocomoco One small, quiet, part-time that advance, support, and protect Research Group (WRG). He received a BA in anthropology from resident of Loudoun County had an our cultural heritage would not exist the College of William and Mary, an MA in history and historical enormous influence on the cultural today if not for the hard work and archaeology from the University of Massachusetts Boston and is growth of America during the middle personal influence of individuals like currently a PhD candidate in history at the College of William and third of the 20th century. David E. David E. Finley. For the first time, his Mary. He has conducted extensive research on the history and Finley, “lawyer by profession, connois- achievements have been chronicled in archaeology of Gloucester County and worked as an archaeologist seur and cosmopolite by taste” and a comprehensive biography by David at the William and Mary Center for Archaeological Research and Andrew Mellon’s right-hand man in Irving Penn Photo, courtesy Conde Nast Doheny, a former vice president and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Co-director of the Fairfield creating the National Gallery of Art, married Margaret general counsel of the National Trust. Based on archi- Foundation in Gloucester County since November 2000, he started Eustis at her family’s Oatlands House in June 1931. val sources, enlivened by Finley’s recently-discovered the cultural resource management company DATA Investigations, For the next 45 years, they spent their weekends and journals, and richly illustrated, the author brings to life LLC with Fairfield Foundation Co-Director Thane Harpole in 2003. vacations at Little Oatlands where they entertained Finley’s role in fostering America’s cultural maturity, such guests as Andrew Mellon, Ailsa Mellon Bruce, and details the National Trust’s early struggles and Lady Nancy Astor, Lord Kenneth Clark and Douglas accomplishments. Other Activities at TBL Fairbanks, Jr. David A. Doheny was born in Canada, grew up Thomas Balch Library Advisory Commission meets at the To all local appearances, David Finley was a in Illinois and studied art history at Williams College library the second Wednesday of each month at 7PM. The public modest country squire. But back in Washington, he and law at Harvard, wrapped around a stint with is always welcome. carried on a monumental career on the cutting edge the U.S. Army in Korea and Japan. After practicing of the cultural growth of the nation. In 1927, Andrew corporate law in Chicago and Miami and as a state Friends of the Thomas Balch Library, Inc., a 501c3 organized Mellon tapped him from the legal staff of the Treasury and federal prosecutor, he came to Washington in to provide support for Thomas Balch Library, meets at the library Department to create the National Gallery, serv- 1985 as general counsel for the National Trust, where the third Tuesday of every other month at 8:30AM. The public is ing as its founding Director 1938-1956. During the he became interested in the life and work of David always welcome. For more information call 703/737-2166 or Second World War, Finley led one of America’s finest Finley. After his in retirement 1996, he spent most visit www.balchfriends.org. hours - the rescue of the artworks of Europe by the of the next decade researching and writing Finley’s Black History Committee of Friends of the Thomas Roberts Commission. After the war, Finley founded story. Doheny will share his insights into this fasci- Balch Library, Inc., meets at the library the fourth Tuesday the National Trust for Historic Preservation, serving as nating chapter in national and local history. The book of every month at 7PM. The public is always welcome. Chairman 1949 -1962. After her mother Edith Morton will be available for purchase on-site through the For more information visit www.balchfriends.org. Eustis died in 1964, Margaret Finley and her sister Oatland’s Historic House and Gardens Gift Shop.

ing Loudoun’s past through collection of county documents and memorabilia, preservation of his memorabilia,of and preservation documents county of collection through Loudoun’spast ing preserv to contributions significant History made have Awards.who individuals honors event This 2PM 2008, Sunday,November 9 Commission Advisory Library Balch Thomas Loudoun History Awards presidency.his during County,Loudoun residence in permanent Doctrine his Monroe the wrote Monroe James birth. Monroe's of anniversary 250th the with coincides lecture Michigan. This of University the from PhD a library.has the He of expansion and restoration during Commission Library of Balch Thomas Library,the Balch of Thomas Friends the Chair Inc.of was Board He the of member a years,is 40 and for County Loudoun in lived has Foundation.He Memorial Monroe James the Fellowof Senior also is He accomplishment. civic distinguished for Medal Monroe James the of holder years,is 25 and U.S.for the Senate of staff the of member a was He years. 100 in writings Monroe’sMonroe,”President James of of compilation major first the 2PM 2008 Sunday,October 19 P.James Lucier James Monroe, First Citizen of Loudoun toric structure files, including chain of title information, in the Lewis/Edwards Files. Lewis/Edwards information,the title in of files,chain structure including toric his several of addition the toward contributing included county the at work His 2005. in Development and Building of Department County Loudoun the with position Planner Virginiaa from retired Tech.He History,Planning,in Urban minor and Geography,BAa Cartography in from and in concentrations with Berfield,John Library 1998. a Assistant,his since earned Department Development and Building the with employed been System,has Records she County’sLand Loudoun for Manager Austin.Project A of University Texasfrom at MLIS an and of Mary College & Williamthe from degree undergraduate an Mary cataloger,Pender,settlers. and A. Loudoun librarian early part-time has and a properties historic of research in assist to library’sresources the of overview brief a be will Included properties. historic of research the in aid to them use to how and public the to available systems mapping and records land County Loudoun various demonstrate will class Thursday,This 10-11:30AM 2008 December 4 Database Parcel and Assessment Files, Building Historic County Loudoun follow,Berfield,John by conducted Library Assistant. to 2005. Tennessee,facility September the the Toursince of with Leesburg Townbeen of has she Chattanooga,in based NGO regional a by and firm consulting preservation DC-based a by employed time.over Previously changes building a how identify to photographs maps,historic insurance and fire files,survey Sanborn architectural use to how and 1990s late the of surveys architectural the behind purpose the property’sexplain history.a will researching She for Library at Balch available Thomas resources secondary and of primary Review,Board using Architectural Leesburg into the delve will to liaison McDonald,staff Thursday,Annie and 10-11:30AM Planner 2008 Preservation November 6 Maps Sanborn and Files District Leesburg’sHistoric discussed. be will research genealogical and historical in use their and accessed able,be may they how Stephanie Hunter, Thursday,Adams 10-11:30AM 2008 October Library 2 Specialist,intro Archives will Library Balch Thomas at Research Archives and Manuscript discussed. be will research genealogical and historical accessed,in use their and Library.at Balch collections Thomas visual to users available,Typesbe images may of they how Schuster,Beth Specialist,introduce Thursday,Reference will 10-11:30AM Library 2008 September 4 Library Balch Thomas at Collections Visual Using Research periodically.repeat will size,in required,limited is be registration will and Classes questions. ask to opportunity outs,an and staff,experienced facility,by the training of hand specific tour subject a include will year.Classes the throughout offered are Library at Balch resources Thomas to researchers introducing classes of series A available.be will 2007) since Museums Space National & the Air at seller (best book His transpired. events where site the and Laos from returning after weeks two sentation pre this making be will Fields landings. carrier hours,475 years,flight and 22 3,350 after retired Laos,instructor.Cambodia,flight South He jet a Vietnam,as North served and later Vietnam. He the over in A-7 missions combat to 139 tours flew Vietnamcombat he two “attack”During jets. piloted and then A-4C and A-7A years several the for in A-3B Bombardier/Navigator a was Fields Kenny front. home and battlefield both on brotherhood and courage of tale gripping a is result perspectives. all The from story the tell to home at wives including participants all with interviews on logs,Forcedraws radio after-actionAir Fields reports,extensive years. and five for POW a damaged,became heavily pilot or one ejected,lost and had were pilots planes four seven process the over,Fields,in was rescue and it U.S.to Before the sorties vation. 189 flown Forcehad Air fear,with coping food,depri of no heat,animals,sleep effects junglewildand stress the the and participants between chatter radio the detail riveting in describes He bombs. friendly by again the of Vietnamrescues air largest the War.of one followed; that ordeal 40-hour down. shot was Fields and up opened more fire,guns many again. AAA time in This wingman,rolled but,his he following hit. to direct began Three a guns with AAA target the in,destroyed and roll to first the 304—was Streetcar sign Fields—call Vietnamesedivision. North entire an amidst sites of gun concentration AAA massive a to route en were wingman his and Fields that was know not did was U.S.time “officially”for the planners attacks. off-limits the What Laos,at in which was target His mission. combat first his for his A-7 2PM 2008 Sunday,December 14 WayneFields Kenny Run in Laos A Navy Pilot’s Forty HoursThe on Rescue the of Streetca duce users to manuscript and archives holdings at Thomas Balch Library.at avail Balch holdings materials Thomas archives of and kinds manuscript The to users duce

Maximizing your Time at Thomas Balch Library: On 31 May 1968, Lt. Kenny Fields catapulted off catapulted 1968,KennyFields May Lt. 31 On James P. Lucier is commentator and editor of Political editor “The and P.Writings commentator James is Lucier Fields recounts close encounters with Pathet Lao guerillas and nearly being killed time and time killed being nearly and guerillas Lao Pathet with encounters close recounts Fields Loudoun annual sixteenth the present will Library Commissioners Balch Advisory Thomas An Introduction to the Library, Its Resources and Research TechniquesResearch and Library,Resources the Its to Introduction An The Rescue of Streetcar 304 Streetcar of Rescue The tographs, and artwork that illuminate life and change in the town the in change and life illuminate that tographs,artwork and memoirs,essays,of historicalpoetry,collection a assembled pho Committee town’sCentennial the of members and Lee Deborah Loudoun Valley.place, special this Tohistorian honor Purcellville historic and beautiful the of hub social and business the been incorporation,has its Purcellville since years hundred the In 2PM 2008, Sunday,December 7 Lee Deborah A Centennial Anthology Purcellville, Virginia,

USS America is Fields’ exhilarating narrative of the of narrative exhilarating Fields’ is in 1908-2008:

------Neal Steinberg.Neal Northern in photographer Virginianature by of January-March Loudoun. Earlier an of Recollections book her from photographs highlighting Huntington Sarah of photography December through November Poston. Fran by County Loudoun county,the of of areas photographs rural more the homes,historic buildings,of and scenes featuring October: through August Exhibits 2008-2009 Lower Level Meeting Room September: July-August: O’KeefeKathie - art and June: May: Park Morven - April: March: February: January: December: November: October: September: Exhibits 2008 - 2009 – Margaret Mercer Room Park. Morven for Operations Heritage Mosby Area,at and Education of TracyDirector Gillespie, Historical of Director Gillespie,Richard the Revolution,”by of American presentation Eve joint the a on Leesburg – 2PM 2008, Sunday,November 2 Church. Baptist Olivet Mount E. historian,Elaine Thompson,public and First author, the of Rev.Stinger the Harold and Deborah Lee,include A. will Speakers school. and church of role vital relations,the and Experience,”Exceptional unique experiences,of African-American social discussion a – 2PM 2008, Sunday,September 28 history.Loudoun on volume recently-published a of co-author and Geographic National Grove,for Noel Executive writer and Leesburg former Airport the a of Deike Tim Northern the Virginiaof Park McCray including Paul and Authorityby chaired presentation – 2PM 2008, Sunday,September 14 Series.”250th Lecture Anniversary brochure the “Leesburg request or library,website the our contact out information check community.Forhistoric detailed this of features distinctive about discussions panel and lectures individual includes series special town. This a as establishment Leesburg’slegal 250th of the Anniversary of recognition in 2008 in presented being is lectures of series A Local artists - sketches, paintings, and drawings - Loudoun Sketch Club Sketch Loudoun sketches,- - paintings,drawings artists and Local

The Balch Column history through Carolina South of plantations rice in African involvement American Restoration of Governor Westmoreland Davis’ mansion, and his life at Morven Park Morven at Governor life of mansion,his WestmorelandRestoration Davis’ and

Thomas Balch Library John - J.E.B.WyrickLee on Civil E. history Robert and Warand Relics Stuart Loudoun County Kitchens – Loudoun FarmMuseum Loudoun – Kitchens County Loudoun History of Education in Loudoun – Beth Schuster and Stephanie Hunter and Adams Schuster Beth – Loudoun in Education of History 208 W. Market Street 250th Leesburg Lectures African Americans and their role in Loudoun’s history - Black History Committee History Black - Loudoun’shistory in role their African and Americans Loudoun History Loudoun Awards and VirginiaNative Heritage American New collections at Thomas Balch Library at Balch collections Thomas New Leesburg, VA 20176 Leigh,Lewis Jr.– Leesburg of History Postal 250th Celebration Anniversary Leesburg Townof Civil WarCreamer John – Artifacts will feature photographic images photographic feature will 703 737-7195 Fax: 703 737-7150 In their own their Words,In Essence of Loudoun - Loudoun of Essence Email: [email protected] will feature will “’Advantageously Situated,“’Advantageously Built’:Indifferently “Leesburg’s Community:African-American An as “Leesburg TransportationHub,” panel a

Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Leesburg and President James Monroe. (See lectures & events inside.)

Leesburg Fall 2008 Lectures and Events anniversary