Humanities Feature Bureau

Folklife Field Notes

VFH — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:25:23 +0000

The Humanities Feature Bureau focuses currently on the stories of Virginia’s traditional musicians, artists and craftspeople. The monthly series “Folklife FieldNotes” features the archive recordings of Virginia State Folklorist, Jon Lohman, collected over his eight years of field work documenting the traditions of a Virginia whose demographics are rapidly changing. To hear the stories, visit www.folklifefieldnotes.org

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.

John Cephas's Piedmont Blues

lew4n — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:49:58 +0000

On March 4th, bluesman John Cephas passed away at the age of 78. Though late in life he performed around the world, Cephas learned his style of blues — called the Piedmont Blues — from family in Caroline County, Virginia. Producer Steve Clark has more on Virginia’s Piedmont Blues.

We recommend these two resources to learn more about John Cephas:

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.

Growth of Celtic Church Services

lew4n — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:34:43 +0000

A growing number of Christian churches across the United States are adding Celtic-inspired services to their worship offerings. To find out why, Nancy King paid a visit to an Episcopal Church just west of Charlottesville.