Humanities Feature Bureau » History

Fort Monroe and 'Contraband of War'

lew4n — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:34:27 +0000

Since the 17th century, fortifications have guarded the peninsula that juts out into the Chesapeake Bay, where the Elizabeth, James and Nansemond Rivers converge. Fort Monroe has stood sentry the longest, since 1819 — a six-sided stone structure that will continue to be an Army outpost until 2011. From then on, its future is subject to much debate, but its place in African-American history is not, as Sondra Woodward explains:

The authentic rebel yell?

lew4n — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:03:53 +0000

The rebel yell. What did it sound like – that battle cry that terrorized union troops and rallied Confederates to battle? Historians have clues from letters and diaries but still have never agreed. Recently, though, a Richmond man released a CD of what he asserts is the authentic rebel yell. Producer Peter Solomon spoke with Waite Rawls, President of the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia.

A poetic collaboration

lew4n — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:16:12 +0000

In the Late 1970s, Almost a third of Cambodia’s people were murdered by the Khmer Rouge regime or died from starvation. A U.N.-backed court is finally trying these war crimes. But, closer to home here in Virginia, a Vietnamese-American artist and a Roanoke-based poet are exploring how to honor the victims through their art and forging a unique collaboration. Jesse Dukes has this report.

A Reunited Collection Tours the Commonwealth

lew4n — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:36:04 +0000

Matisse, Picasso, Chagall: an extensive collection of European Modern Art began a two-year tour around Virginia this month. Sixty years ago, a private donor gave the paintings away, splitting them between the University of Virginia’s Art Museum and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. This touring exhibition reunites the works for the first time for display in Charlottesville, Winchester, Abingdon and Richmond. Peter Solomon reports on “Matisse, Picasso, and Modern Art in Paris: The T. Catesby Jones Collection.”

Abraham Lincoln's Shenandoah Valley Roots

lew4n — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:40:46 +0000

Monday February 16th is Presidents Day—set aside to honor Presidents Washington and Lincoln. Washington is a recognized Virginian. And, although Illinois calls itself the Land of Lincoln, the roots of our sixteenth president actually run deep into Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, as well. Martha Woodroof reports.

History to the NINES

lew4n — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:33:44 +0000

Today there is a social networking website for every interest group. Even scholars of 19th century history. But one such website run by the University of Virginia allows researchers to do more than just share pictures or chat, as reporter Martha Woodroof explains.

Raising a Coffeehouse Wall

lew4n — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:37:39 +0000

Colonial Williamsburg is usually pretty quiet in the Winter. But this year, there’s quite a bit of activity on one end of the museum’s main street. Sondra Woodward visits the archaeological site of an 18th century coffeehouse turned modern day construction site.

Watch progress of the Charlton Coffeehouse restoration.

Carter Family Fans

lew4n — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:09:56 +0000

Southwest Virginia’s Carter Family made their first country music record in 1927. But favorites such as “Keep on the Sunnyside of Life” are still popular 81 years later, thanks mostly to the devotion of fans who preserve and adapt the Family’s tunes. But what is it about the Carter Family’s music that draws in such a loyal following? Reporter Beverly Amsler reports from this year’s Blue Ridge Folklife Festival in Ferrum, Virginia.

Preserving 'The Maltese Falcon'

lew4n — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:45:22 +0000

Downloadable movies on your IPod, Blu-Ray Discs and DVDs delivered to your door… In an age of new media, the Library of Congress recently opened a facility in Culpeper devoted to preserving and presenting the history of film. Martha Woodroof visited the Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation and filed this report.

Visit the Library of Congress Audio-Visual Preservation Website

Precious Refreshment

lew4n — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:45:23 +0000

With the growing interest in eating locally-produced and sustainable foods, some true believers think the timing is just about perfect for Virginia apple cider to make a come-back. Reporter Nancy King attended a cider-making workshop recently at Monticello.