FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | October 11, 2007 |
Contact: Jennifer M. Guild, Senior Officer for Public Relations and Marketing
Tel: (804) 342-9665 | Email:
jguild@vahistorical.org
VHS Family Day Celebrates Opening of New Exhibition
Free Event Makes Learning about Virginia's Past Fun
Richmond, VA – In conjunction with the opening of a new exhibition, Lee and Grant, the Virginia Historical Society invites the community to attend a free event filled with music, games, prizes, re-enactments, and much more. On Saturday, October 20, 2007, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., the VHS will host a Civil War-themed open house.
"The VHS Family Day is our way of saying thank you to the community for all of its support throughout the year," said Charles F. Bryan, Jr., President and CEO of the Society. "And for families new to the area, or for people who have never been to the VHS before, this is a great way to experience the interactive and educational exhibitions and programs that we offer."
Highlights of Family Day include: a special prize to the first 100 visitors; story telling by Tell Tale Hearts Troupe; living history enactments featuring Civil War soldiers; music by the Celebration Male Chorus; book signings; children's crafts and activities; and an interactive trivia game that will test visitors' knowledge of VHS Civil War exhibitions. Guests can register to win prizes from The Jefferson Hotel, Pamplin Historical Park, Radio Disney, and more! Chic-fil-A will sell food and drinks at the event. And, for the first time, visitors will be able to see the recently discovered Mary Custis Lee trunks that held thousands of historical documents, including hundreds of letters, memos, and orders drafted by General Robert E. Lee.
Guests will enjoy the debut of the innovative exhibition, Lee and Grant, on October 20th—the first day it is open to the public. This exciting exhibition provides a major re-assessment of the lives, careers and historical impact of the two Civil War generals, Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant.
It also charts the development of historical thought and popular attitudes towards both figures in the years since the outbreak of the Civil War. Lee and Grant, made possible with the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, will present clothing and accouterments owned by the two men, documents written in their own hands, accounts by contemporaries, biographical and historical records, paintings, photographs, prints, and sculpture as a means to reveal each man in his historical and cultural context and review the ways the two have been remembered for almost 200 years.
The Virginia Historical Society is located at 428 N. Boulevard. The Story of Virginia, An American Experience, a 10,000-square-foot exhibition with more than a thousand objects covering all of Virginia history from prehistoric
times to the present is featured in the Robins Center for Virginia History. Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am - 5pm
and Sunday 1pm - 5pm (Museum Galleries only). Admission: $5/adults, $4/seniors 55+ ($2/Tuesdays–galleries
only), $3/children and students, free/members. Admission to the galleries is free on Sundays. For group tour
information, call (804) 342-9652. For more information, please call (804) 358-4901 or visit
www.vahistorical.org.
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