Name: Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
Brand: Michael Aubrecht
SKU: 9781467156585
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

9781467156585

$24.99

Jefferson's Legacy of Freedom for the Old Dominion

Prior to his death Thomas Jefferson left behind specific instructions for the obelisk monument that was to mark his grave. He requested the following epitaph: Here was buried Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom and Father of the University of Virginia. These contributions were in his words the "testimonials that I have lived, I wish most to be remembered." It is curious that with all his contributions he chose to note his authorship of a minor state law. Jefferson crafted this statute, not in Philadelphia or one of the other busy cities of the day, but while staying in a small Virginia town on the Rappahannock River named Fredericksburg.

Local historian Michael Aubrecht tells the tale of the creation of this remarkable document and the impact it continues to have.

Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

Hurricane Agnes in Virginia

9781467156486

$24.99

"The greatest natural disaster of all time"

That's how observers at the time viewed Agnes. When the storm arrived in Virginia in June of 1972 it largely spared coastal areas. With modest wind speeds, Agnes no longer registered as a hurricane as it crossed the Old Dominion. Yet its prodigious rainfall combined with saturated ground and topography to create massive floodwaters. Its impact on communities large and small was immense. Learn of the struggles of those affected, the efforts of responders, and the larger role Agnes played in the national discussion of disasters and their aftermath.

Local historian Dr. Earnie Porta describes the complex history of hurricanes and details the devastating path of Agnes through Virginia.

True Crime Northern Virginia in the '50s & '60s

9781467156660

$24.99

Discover crimes that made headlines across northern Virginia in the 1950s and 60s.

As the suburbs of Washington, D.C. expanded in the mid-twentieth century, growth inevitably led to increasing crime, and grisly murders began to shock local communities. Learn the story of the killer and his victim who are buried only a few yards apart. The truth behind the tale of the murderous toddler and the sad story of the death of an agent at National Airport belie the picture perfect image of those decades. Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church and Prince William witnessed atrocities that grabbed headlines in their day but have since faded from collective memory. Local author Zachary Ford uses detailed research drawn from contemporary accounts to bring these stories to life.

True Crime Northern Virginia in the '50s & '60s

Southwest Virginia and Maritime Disasters

9781467155915

$24.99

Explore southwest Virginia's local links to maritime history. Until the growing popularity of air travel post-World War II, Americans going abroad traveled by ship. Though Southwest Virginia is not a coastal region, its residents traveled far and wide. Some were involved in the most infamous shipwrecks of the age of steamships, many of whom lost their lives. The foundering of the legendary Titanic on her maiden voyage, the horrific fire aboard Morro Castle and the smoke-engulfed decks of U.S.S. Arizona at Pearl Harbor were all witnessed by Southwest Virginians. Local author Brandon Whited grants them their long-overdue place in the history books.

Southwest Virginia and Maritime Disasters

George Washington in the French & Indian War

9781467149754

$24.99

When Washington set the world on fire... George Washington has frequently been criticized for his first military campaign, which sparked the French and Indian War. This backwoods campaign between British and French colonials eventually grew into the Seven Years’ War, a global conflict between these European empires. In 1754 Washington was an ambitious yet inexperienced young officer, eager to carry out his orders and mission on behalf of Virginia and the British king. While his campaign failed to meet its objectives, Washington experienced his first taste of military command, dealing with situations that ultimately proved beyond his control, and learned lessons that made him into the man who led the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War. Historian Scott Patchan delves deep into Washington's correspondence to tell the story of his training as an officer.

George Washington in the French & Indian War

Black Communities of Fairfax

9781467155496

$24.99

The story of Black Fairfax has long been untold. The free Black population of Fairfax Court House dates to at least the 1820s. After the Civil War, newly freed Black citizens expanded the hamlet of Jermantown dramatically. Additional segregated neighborhoods, including School Street, which overlapped today's George Mason University, and Ilda, off Guinea Road, grew and thrived. In the second half of the nineteenth century residents built schools, churches, and a cemetery. These families persevered under Jim Crow in the early twentieth century. After incorporation, the City of Fairfax annexed these historically Black localities, and their separate character began to disappear. This group of authors with deep roots in Fairfax tells the stories of their communities.

Life and Times of the Falls Church News-Press

9781467155328

$24.99

Since 1991, the Falls Church News-Press has delivered a must-read chronicle of doings in the leafy, sophisticated, practical-minded Northern Virginia community nicknamed "The Little City." Nodding to the rich history of the three-hundred-year-old village named for a church where George Washington and George Mason were vestrymen, the weekly paper captures clashes over development, fights over school quality, political races, holiday celebrations and even scandals. Author Charlie Clark spins the unlikely tale of a unique editor, Nicholas Benton, who founded the free newspaper and kept it going at a time when local news is imperiled.

Life and Times of the Falls Church News-Press

Legends & Lore of Southwest Virginia

9781467155045

$24.99

Explore the traditional tales of the hills and hollers of southwestern Virginia. From the infamous Black Sisters of Christiansburg to the ghost of the famed Barter Theatre in Abingdon, the region is filled with stories that have haunted residents for decades. The Woodbooger, a local Bigfoot, is said to roam the mountainsides which are also home to many eccentric and inspiring legendary characters, including Molly Tynes, Reverend Robert Sheffey, Napoleon Hill and Cedar Creek Charlie. Authors Melody West and Shane Simmons uncover tales of unique people and places that have seldom been told.

True Tales of Old Alexandria

9781467154765

$24.99

Stories from the beheading of an Englishman to the buried ships of Robinson Landing.

The streets of Alexandria have born witness to singular individuals and stirring events in their long history. In 1623, just across the Potomac River, an English adventurer walked into an Indian village and literally lost his head. In 1654, a notorious woman became the first European to own land in what would become Alexandria. A hundred years later, George Washington and General Braddock marched from Alexandria to a massacre and in 1814 the British looted the city. Read the true history of Robinson Landing, the seedy story of Del Ray and the tale of Major George Patton and the 1930s cavalry at Fort Myer.

Author Ted Pulliam follows his popular Historic Alexandria with a deeper look into the fascinating past of the city on the Potomac.

Richmond Beer

9781626194649

$21.99

The story of beer and brewing in Richmond is a reflection of the well-documented and revered place the River City holds in the nation's history. English colonists imbibed together on the banks of the James River. During the Civil War, a brewery was adjacent to a hospital. Beyond historical brews such as the Krueger Brewing Company and Richbrau beer, Richmond is no stranger to the vibrant craft beer culture thriving across the nation. Area brewers, including Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Legend Brewing Company, Midnight Brewery and Strangeways Brewing, make Richmond a beer lover's paradise. Grab a pint and join author and beer columnist Lee Graves as he recounts the frothy history of Richmond beer.

Souls Close to Edgar Allan Poe, The

9781467154543

$23.99

Journey to the burial places of the people who lived in Poe's world.
Edgar Allan Poe considered himself a Virginian. Credited with originating the modern detective story, developing Gothic horror tales, and writing the precursor to science fiction, Poe worked to elevate Southern literature. He lived in the South most of his life, died in Baltimore and made his final home in Richmond. His family and many of his closest associates were southerners. Visit the graves of the people with whom he worked and socialized, who he loved and at times loathed and gain a fuller understanding of Poe's life. These were individuals who supported, inspired, and challenged him, and even a few who attempted to foil his plans. Professor and cemetery historian Sharon Pajka tells their stories.

Haunted Inns and Hotels of Virginia

9781467154536

$21.99

Virginia's long history and many beauties attract millions of visitors each year--and some never leave.

With some of the oldest inns in the country, Virginia has a multitude of options for travelers to sleep among the spirits. The historic Cavalier Hotel is haunted by the ghost of Adolph Coors, the beer magnate. Market Square Tavern is one of the original buildings in Williamsburg, and has some of the oldest haunts--including, possibly, Thomas Jefferson. The spirit of Mary Hooker still watches over her beloved home at King George's Bell Grove Plantation. The family of the former owner of Natural Bridge Hotel are said to still walk the halls of historic building--after he killed them.

Plan a ghostly journey along Virginia's byways with author and paranormal expert Susan Schwartz.

The Civil War in Fairfax County: Civilians and Soldiers

9781596291485

$21.99

In his latest book, The Civil War in Fairfax County: Civilians and Soldiers, Charles Mauro has given voice to the heretofore silent majority of the participants in the Civil War: the civilians. This overdue study examines the full spectrum of men, women, slaves and freedmen who lived in Fairfax County, Virginia, during this chaotic, uncertain period. Drawn from the files of the Southern Claims Commission, Mauro recounts the stories the civilians told the Commission after the war to document their losses, lives and living conditions. The citizens of Fairfax County found themselves occupying front row seats at the most horrific show that this country has ever seen. Because of its position just across the Potomac River on the doorstep of the city of Washington, Fairfax County was heavily targeted by the Confederate army and defended with equal determination by the Union army. Fairfax was the first county in the South that the Union army invaded, and the last it occupied as soldiers were mustered out of service after the Grand Review. The Civil War in Fairfax County contains stories of the devastation that both armies brought upon the civilians and their property, as well as the daily strife caused by a war that pitted neighbor against neighbor and family members against themselves. It gives an important, fascinating and unprecedented look into the everyday lives of the civilians who lived through the most tumultuous four years in American history, in a county that was occupied by both the Confederate and Union armies throughout the entire Civil War.

Haunted Shenandoah Valley

9781467149426

$21.99

The abolitionist John Brown still roams the West Virginia panhandle--and beyond. In Lexington, a statue sheds real tears, mourning Virginians killed in battle. Decades of abuse at a sanatorium unleashed malevolent entities in Staunton. Spirits of Native Americans, Civil War soldiers and children frequent natural springs in Frederick County and caves near Strasburg. Ghosts stay free of charge at the nation's oldest inn in Middletown, and at the Natural Bridge Hotel, phantom children play in the halls. Visitors from beyond the grave enjoy live performances at several theaters in the region, while spectral soldiers gather for combat in the battlefields scattered throughout the area. Join Denver Michaels as he delves into folklore, eyewitness accounts and urban legends to bring you the best ghost stories from the Shenandoah Valley.

Richmond's Culinary History

9781467138154

$21.99

Richmond's culinary history spans more than four hundred years and includes forgotten cooks and makers who paved the way for Richmond's vibrant modern food scene. The foodways of local Indian tribes were pivotal to the nation. Unconventional characters such as Mary Randolph, Jasper Crouch, Ellen Kidd, Virginia Randolph and John Dabney used food and drink to break barriers. Family businesses like C.F. Sauer and Sally Bell's Kitchen, recipient of a James Beard America's Classic Award, shaped the local community. Virginia Union University students and two family-run department stores paved the way for restaurant desegregation. Local journalists Maureen Egan and Susan Winiecki, founders of Fire, Flour & Fork, offer an engaging social history complete with classic Richmond recipes.

The Jefferson Hotel: The History of a Richmond Landmark

9781625859020

$21.99

Designed by Richmond visionary Lewis Ginter, The Jefferson Hotel has been an icon in the community since 1895. From the alligators that used to roam the elegant lobby to the speakeasy housed within during Prohibition, the hotel has a fascinating and unparalleled history. Playing host to cultural icons like Charles Lindbergh and F. Scott Fitzgerald and surviving the Great Depression and catastrophic fires, the hotel has remained an important landmark throughout Richmond's history. Join local historian Paul Herbert as he recounts stories of heiresses, actors, musicians and celebrities in this all-encompassing history of The Jefferson, a volume bound to delight anyone who has ever stayed within its treasured walls.

The Jefferson Hotel: The History of a Richmond Landmark

Remaking Virginia Politics

9781467151122

$21.99

Go behind the scenes with never before reported stories of intrigue from some of the most colorful characters in Virginia politics over the last half century.

Read about the changes that political figures have brought to the Old Dominion, from Henry Howell's legendary gubernatorial run in the 1970s through 2020's successful battle for Richmond Public Schools against the Dominion Coliseum. Along the way, see how visionaries challenged Virginia to overcome her legacy of segregation and how that history still affects our destiny today.

Hailed by the New York Times as part of "a major revolution in racial politics in America'? for running the groundbreaking campaigns of Governor Doug Wilder, author Paul Goldman has spent decades on the leading edge of Virginia politics.

On This Day in Norfolk, Virginia History

9781626197039

$21.99

Established in 1680 near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, Norfolk is a maritime jewel of the East Coast. During the American Revolution, British ships shelled the city on New Year's Day 1776. The first battle of the ironclads--Monitor versus Merrimack--took place off Norfolk's shore in 1862. Walter P. Chrysler moved his art collection to the city in 1971 and catapulted the former Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences into the renowned Chrysler Museum. Author, historian and Norfolk native Sarah Downing offers a daily look at the fascinating and sometimes offbeat history of the city's storied past. Navigate the waters of history one day or month at a time with this celebration of Norfolk's heritage.

On This Day in Norfolk, Virginia History

On this Day in Hampton History

9781467139748

$24.99

The history of a town is almost like a personal diary, each day filled with the events and people who made their mark.

This collection could be thought of as Hampton's diary, as authors Wythe Holt and Edward B. Hicks offer up a day by day history of the stories that shaped this jewel of the Commonwealth. The city's story begins at the origins of Old Point comfort as early as 1608 on the coast of Virginia and about 25 miles from the first permanent English settlement in the New World, Jamestown, but that's only the beginning of the story. The Emancipation Proclamation was first read to the public on the grounds of what is now Hampton University under what would soon be called the Emancipation Oak. NASA's Langley Research Center helped send astronauts to space and tested the Apollo Lunar Lander. Fort Monroe encompasses nearly two centuries of service to the country, as historic and symbolic site during the Civil War as a Union stronghold in the midst of the Confederacy and as the largest stone fort in North America. Join Holt and Hicks and enjoy the rich historical legacy of Hampton every day of the year.

Life & Legacy of Enslaved Virginian Emily Winfree, The

9781467150507

$21.99

Left destitute after the Civil War by the death of David Winfree, her former master and the father of her children, Emily Winfree underwent unimaginable hardships to keep her family together. Living with them in the tiny cottage he had given her, she worked menial jobs to make ends meet until the children were old enough to contribute. Her sacrifices enabled the successes of many of her descendants. Authors Jan Meck and Virginia Refo tell the true story of this remarkable African American woman who lived through enslavement, war, Reconstruction and Jim Crow in Central Virginia. The book is enriched with copies of many original documents, as well as personal recollections from a great-granddaughter of Emily's. The story concludes with pictures and biographies of some of her descendants.

Life & Legacy of Enslaved Virginian Emily Winfree, The

Hidden History of Early Richmond

9781467143356

$21.99

Richmond's Civil War history is familiar to every local and visitor, but fewer know the stories of the city's early days. Did you know that some of the area's earliest settlers were Huguenots fleeing religious persecution in France? Major John Clarke designed many of Richmond's first public buildings, but did you know that he was one of the masterminds behind the area's early industry as well? Tredegar Iron Works was the arsenal of the Confederacy, but Richmond-area foundries at Westham and Bellona supplied weapons to the armies of the Revolution as well. Richmond's first penitentiary was designed by Benjamin Latrobe before his term as architect of the Capitol. Local author Maurice Robinson narrates the tales of early Richmond's seven hills and beyond.

Surfing Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks

9781467145749

$21.99

Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks share an incredibly rich surfing history. Virginia Beach is home to major surfing institutions so iconic and long lasting they are simply referred to as "ECSC,'? "WRV'? and "17th Street.'? Of course, the Outer Banks has the consistent waves. The barrels. The lighthouse. Its beaches have been the setting for iconic moments in the history of the Eastern Surfing Association. Local surfing historian Tony Lillis chronicles the rich history of surfing along Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks from the early twentieth century, when world travelers brought home tales of Hawaiian surfing, through the heyday of the 1960s and into the twenty-first century.

Surfing Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks

Arrival of the First Africans in Virginia

9781467145985

$24.99

In 1619, a group of thirty-two African men, women and children arrived on the shores of Virginia. They had been kidnapped in the royal city of Kabasa, Angola, and forced aboard the Spanish slave ship San Juan Bautista. The ship was attacked by privateers, and the captives were taken by the English to their New World colony. This group has been shrouded in controversy ever since. Historian Ric Murphy documents a fascinating story of colonialism, treason, piracy, kidnapping, enslavement and British law.

Arrival of the First Africans in Virginia

Ghosts of Virginia's Tidewater

9781609492267

$21.99

The putrid estuaries of the Great Dismal Swamp and the colonial mansions of Tidewater Virginia provide a chilling setting for tales of the mysterious and strange. From the ghost of Jefferson Davis's iron-willed widow who walks the dank corridors of Fort Monroe to the restless presence of Cornwallis's soldiers killed at the Battle of Yorktown, the region is rife with eerie tales of the tragic and unexplained. Paranormal expert and author L.B. Taylor Jr. revisits classic ghost stories from his collection and introduces readers to thirteen terrifying new tales. Join Taylor as he travels forgotten country lanes and dark waterways in search of the spirits of Virginia's haunted shores.

Hampton Roads Chronicles:

9781596296640

$21.99

Just like the tide, history flows through every corner of Old Dominion's Hampton Roads region, and for decades it has been chronicled in the Virginian-Pilot's column, "Our Stories." These stories are now told by local historian and longtime columnist Paul Clancy, who offers up this unparalleled and uninhibited collection of articles and stunning historical images. Rediscover the history behind landmarks such as Fort Monroe, Sewell's Point and Cape Henry and take in the view from the vantage point of those who witnessed history being made before their eyes: stories about the hurricane of '33, the old fairgrounds on the bay, the trolleys that ran to Ocean View, the semipro baseball teams that battled for glory, the harrowing and courageous struggle for racial equality and the soldiers and sailors who went off to war. This is the real stuff of Hampton Roads history.

Greene County, Virginia:

9781596293113

$21.99

Tucked away where the Blue Ridge meets Virginia's Piedmont, Greene County boasts a fascinating history. The county's fertile land and breathtaking natural beauty have attracted visitors since the colonial era. In this in-depth look at Greene County's vibrant past, historian Donald D. Covey--former president of the county's historical society--explores Greene County from the first settlement through the Civil War and beyond.

The Staunton Streak: Paul Hatcher’s Basketball Dynasty

9781467135665

$21.99

Paul Hatcher won 897 games as the head coach of the Robert E. Lee High School boys" basketball team in Staunton. Astoundingly, he won 85 in a row from 2003 to 2006. In a career spanning forty-three years, Hatcher won four state titles, was named coach of the year an amazing eleven times and is a member of five halls of fame. The beloved mentor also developed nationally recognized talent like Kevin Madden and Tyler Crawford. Author and journalist Patrick Hite presents the dramatic story of a legend in high school basketball history.

The Staunton Streak: Paul Hatcher’s Basketball Dynasty

The Virginia Blue Ridge Railroad

9781467118934

$21.99

In 1849, Virginia began a bold railroad expansion toward the Ohio River and its lucrative trade connections. The project's plan covered 423 miles and called for piercing two mountain chains with three railroads. The Blue Ridge Railroad was the shortest of these but crossed the most mountainous terrain. At times, hired slaves, who prepared the tracks, and Irish immigrants, who blasted the tunnels, faced challenges that seemed almost insurmountable. Many were killed by explosions and falling rock. Those deaths often resulted in labor strikes. The unrest slowed progress and haunted chief engineer Claudius Crozet for seven years. In this first full-length history of the Blue Ridge Railroad, award-winning author Mary E. Lyons uses a wealth of historical documents to describe construction on what Crozet called "dangerous ground."

Tredegar Iron Works:

9781467118941

$21.99

One of the most important industrial landmarks in the nation lies in the heart of historic Richmond. The Tredegar Iron Works was the most prodigious ordnance supplier to the Confederacy during the Civil War, as well as an industrial behemoth in its own right. Named for the hometown of the Welsh engineers who built it, Tredegar remained one of Richmond's chief industrial entities for over a century. It produced ordnance during five wars and helped build the railroads that rapidly spread across the nation during the Gilded Age. Author Nathan Vernon Madison, utilizing a wealth of primary sources and firsthand accounts, chronicles the full history of a Richmond industrial icon.

The Enduring Journey of the USS Chesapeake: Navigating the Common History of Three Nations

9781596292987

$21.99

"Fight "til she sinks, boys. Don't give up the ship! Burn her."
James Lawrence's command, spoken as his final fighting words in the historic 1813 battle between the USS Chesapeake and the HMS Shannon, would endure as the motto of the U.S. Navy. He lost the battle, however, and a large portion of the Chesapeake was recycled by the ship breakers of Portsmouth, England, until her timbers gave form and size to a new water mill in the village of Wickham. Almost two hundred years later, the old mill sat derelict, an eyesore. What was it made of ? Where had it come from? Why should it be preserved? It was then that the sails of a long-forgotten fighting ship were seemingly unfurled along the Meon River in the County of Hampshire, and the old navy frigate--having crossed the waters of America, Canada and England--set off on the third century of her enduring journey.

The Enduring Journey of the USS Chesapeake: Navigating the Common History of Three Nations

Flyboys over Hampton Roads:

9781596299726

$21.99

The story begins in the fall of 1915, on the cusp of America's entry into World War I. Aviation giant Glenn Curtiss sought a location where pilots could train and aircraft could be tested year-round, and he found it in the warm winds and waters of Newport News, Virginia. There, daring young men and women in their flying machines flew on to fame and into history with their record-breaking flights and the tragic losses that were inevitable in early flight. Join military historian Amy Waters Yarsinske as she uses rare vintage photographs and a deft hand to narrate this astounding and often forgotten period in aviation history.

Haunted Clarke County, Virginia

9781467142281

$21.99

In Clarke County, the spirits of the past bring history to life.

The ghost of a brokenhearted Confederate soldier stares out a window waiting in vain for the return of the love of his life. Victims of a plane crash still linger at the scene of the tragedy forty-five years later. Union troops are still crossing the Shenandoah River through a hail of musket balls and cannon fire. From the legendary phantom coach of Carter Hall to lesser-known haunts along the county's back roads, a rock-throwing poltergeist, a smoky figure in a bedroom and strange creatures lurking in the woods, Michael Hess brings you the very best in Clarke County ghost lore.

The Virginia Navy in the Revolution: Hampton’s Commodore James Barron and His Fleet

9781467135245

$21.99

The Virginia Navy, led by Commodore James Barron, raised more than fifty vessels to aid the fight against the British Empire. The ships kept open vital trade passages to the West Indies that allowed for goods and supplies to reach American shores despite English blockades. Barron defended his birthplace at the Battle of Hampton, suffered near-destruction at the hands of Benedict Arnold and supported the French navy in the decisive victory at Yorktown. Author James Tormey reveals these stories and more in a maritime adventure through the history of the Virginia Navy in the Revolutionary era.

The Virginia Navy in the Revolution: Hampton’s Commodore James Barron and His Fleet

Hidden History of Herndon

9781467140966

$21.99

Local author Barbara Glakas uses rare photographs and firsthand accounts to tell little-known stories of the people, places and events that shaped the history of the Town of Herndon.

A mysterious stranger who passed through the village one night suggested the name Herndon, after the captain of a sunken ship. The Civil War split loyalties among the townspeople and brought an unexpected Confederate raid on the town. Prohibition brought bootleggers with it, but its repeal caused an uproar from temperance-minded residents. Lively community fairs were ever present in the 1920s, but so was the Ku Klux Klan. Behind Herndon's past as a sleepy farming community hide forgotten tales of growth and progress.

Lighthouses of Hampton Roads

9781467146159

$23.99

For nearly two centuries, the beacons of light stations guided vessels through the deceptively hazardous waters in and around Hampton Roads. Eleven light stations have dotted the southeastern coast of Virginia since the days of the early republic. Starting with Alexander Hamilton's establishment of the federal lighthouse service, their story meanders through the American Civil War, Reconstruction, the Second World War and beyond, tracing the development of maritime commerce in the region. The keepers themselves were mostly white men from Virginia or North Carolina, however, caretakers also included immigrants, women, and formerly enslaved men. For almost two hundred years, these stalwarts maintained the beacons that guided vessels through these waters. They also rescued those in peril. Far from being isolated, their collective lives were intertwined with the events and innovations that shaped the nation. Local historian Benjamin Trask tells their stories.