HISTORY TO GO

Here are the proceedings of the April 13 Edna Lewis Historical Marker dedication.

Robert Lookabill, of Friends of Wilderness Battlefield, tells us about the implications of the casualties at the Battle of Chancellorsville on Robert E. Lee's future military plans

The Archaeological Site Director at Historic Germanna, Kelly Arford-Horne, tells us about discoveries made during 2023.

The story of the restoration and salvage at this historic Orange County property

Orange County Historian, Frank Walker explains the difference between land patents and grants.

Gordon Lohr talks about and shows slides of historic structures in Virginia that he has saved using the Preservation Virginia Revolving Fund

The renovated Sandra and William H. Speiden Auditorium is now official!

Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy shares her research and genealogical knowledge. A technical difficulty lost the audio for the first few minutes of the program, but was restored about five minutes in.

James Madison Museum Director, Bethany Sullivan takes us on a tour of what may be the oldest still standing dwelling in Orange County

Here's the latest edition of History to Go...a twofer: First is a presentation by Douglas Sanford, a Co-Director of the Virginia Slave Housing Project, second is a presentation by his cousin, Steve Sanford about the history of his family home since the 1850s, Woodley.

A History of Grymes Memorial School on the 75th anniversary of this independent K-8 educational facility, as told by Margaret Hill, former graduate, teacher, librarian and now archivist.

Mayhurst owners Jason and Casey Cashell hosted the Orange County Historical Society recently. Here's Jason's presentation about their historic home in Orange, VA

Eighth generation Clore descendant, Troy Coppage, tells the fascinating story of his family furniture business that dates back to 1827.

Dr. Matt Reeves, Director of Archaeology at James Madison's Montpelier, discusses excavation at the Home Farm site.

Here is Ann Miller's thorough study of the "before, during, and after" of the 1716 Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Expedition where Lt. Gov. Alexander Spotswood led a company of men over the Blue Ridge Mountains from Germanna.

On June 3, 1872, the village of Orange Courthouse in the Piedmont area of Virginia became an incorporated town. On June 12, 2022, the town celebrated the 150th anniversary of that occasion. But the town’s story goes back much further than that. Unqualified Promise takes a detailed look at the Town of Orange, from its humble beginnings as an early 18th century colonial settlement to a modern municipality of the 21st century. That 300-year journey takes us through a Civil War, several devastating fires, the arrival of the railroad and the automobile, and the resulting growth and prosperity that they brought. It also explores “Little Known Facts,” about the town, who the shakers and movers were, how and where the African American community developed, how the town survived the Great Depression, and how it will weather the challenges of the future. “Orange, Virginia: A Place of Unqualified Promise,” Joseph Martin, 1835. Produced by the Orange County Historical Society and AHHA Productions

Our latest installment of History-to-Go, longtime airport advocate, Hubert Compton talks about our local aviation facility

Craig Jacobs of Salvagewrights Ltd shows us how an 18th century house was built from the foundation to the rooftop.

ROADS, TAVERNS AND MILLS: Cornerstones of Community As you drive along country roads in Piedmont Virginia, have you ever wondered how these thoroughfares got their names? Orange Turnpike, Plank Road, Blue Ridge Turnpike? And what about all these mills? Grymes Mill, Wilhoit’s Mill, Matthews Mill? Dozens and dozens of them. And then there are all these places named after taverns: Gordon Tavern (Gordonsville), Wilderness Tavern (Wilderness), Chancellor Tavern (Chancellorsville)? Local videographer and documentary producer Phil Audibert was intrigued; the result, a documentary that shows that roads, taverns and mills were all interconnected to create vibrant economic and social networks in 18th and 19th century Virginia. They are the cornerstones of community. Introduction 00:25 The First Roads 03:13 Taverns - the First Truck Stops 11:38 Roads During the 19th Century 22:30 Mills - From Barter to Mercantile 35:55 Roads - Early 20th Century - A Conclusion 48:30

Ever since the fall of 2018, the “Memories” oral history project has focused on the life stories of residents of Dogwood Village and the surrounding community of Orange County. As many as 30 oral histories were collected before Covid shut the project down. “Memories Greatest Hits, Part 1” is a compilation of the high points of some of producer Phil Audibert’s favorite interviews. This program was originally presented at the research center on November 25, 2019. The fact that it’s called “Part 1” leaves open the possibility of a sequel...or two.

Born in the Town of Orange, Andrew Maples went on to become a Tuskeegee Airman. He disappeared while flying a bomber escort mission during World War II. This past May, his portrait was unveiled at the Orange County Courthouse in a ceremony that honored him for his sacrifice and as a hometown hero.

From a Captain in Mosby’s Rangers to a simple farmhand, from an astute businessman to the founder of a prestigious boarding school in Virginia, Robert Stringfellow Walker is a study in perseverance and determination. This fascinating story is told by his grandson, Frank Walker, Junior, and it is illustrated by family and archival school photographs.

A Candle in a Candy Store -- A Film Celebrating 100 years of Community Service by the Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Company Shortly after midnight, just a few minutes into the New Year of 1916, a lantern or candle that had been left burning in a confectionary shop ignited a fire that eventually claimed most buildings on Main Street Gordonsville southeast of the railroad overpass. That disaster spawned the Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Company. Organized on April 1st 1916, GVFC is possibly the oldest rural volunteer fire department in the state. Since then, this all-volunteer service organization has responded to thousands of calls for help. It has also enjoyed the unerring support of the community that it serves. But, as it enters its second century, GVFC faces mounting challenges. Phil Audibert and Ross Hunter (AHHA Productions) interviewed six veteran fire fighters and pored over hundreds of photographs, clippings, and even vintage 8 millimeter film to tell the story of this remarkable community resource. 0:00 Opening 2:54 Fire Call 5:56 The Early Years 16:55 Recent Memories 30:24 Changes and Transitions 42:11 Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow 44:30 Honor Roll of Deceased Members 48:12 Auxiliary 53:32 End Credits

This installment of History-to-Go features a slide/sound (pre-PowerPoint) program dating back to 1984. It is an oral history of the then surviving residents of Freetown, one of many communities of freedmen established in Orange County after the Civil War. Originally recorded by Phil Audibert on 35mm slide film and cassette tape, the presentation was converted to digital format several years ago. Among others, it features the memories of Edna Lewis, the Grande Dame of Southern Cooking, who was born and raised in Freetown, along with her brother Lue Standley Lewis.

Orange County, Virginia experienced the American Civil War throughout all four of its years; from wounded arriving at the Orange depot in July of 1861 until the last patient died at the Samuel P. Moore Receiving Hospital in Gordonsville in June of 1865. It experienced skirmishes, engagements and full scale battles. It hosted the Army of Northern Virginia for an entire winter. Using modern day photographs, video of re-enactments and 1860s era images, All Four Years tells that story more from the point of view of the impact it had on the citizens of Orange County than from the perspective of troop movements and tactics. Such a horid sight 00:20 Campfired raging all around 06:46 Another Memorable Day 13:13 My first great sorrow 18:27 A gloom over the entire army 23:49 The useages of civilized warefare and the dictates of humanity 28:28 Orange became a Valley Forge 32:32 A blasted stump in the wilderness 37:10 Messages to the hearafter 40:59 A jungle of switch 45:39 The whizz of the bullets 51:07 Death seems all around us 57:29 End Credits 1:00:58

In 1714, under the direction of Lt. Governor Alexander Spotswood, 12 German families established a settlement on the Rapidan River in present day Orange County, Virginia. At the time it was the most inland outpost of the British colonies in the new world Germanna…America in Embryo tells the story of this remarkable community and its outstanding legacy.

Gordonsville: A Strong Fabric gives an overview of this small town's history from its beginnings in the 18th century through its continued vitality as a 21st-century community.

The documentary In the Season: The Edna Lewis Story, celebrates the remarkable life and legacy of "The Grande Dame of Southern Cooking". The film, by Phil Audibert, traces her unique journey from a community founded by freed slaves in Orange, Virginia to a career that saw her gain acclaim around the world for her countless contributions to southern cuisine.

These are clips that didn't make it into the Now This... documentary. But they were too good to leave on the cutting room floor.

"Now This..." is a 90 minute documentary on the early years of WJMA Radio in Orange, Virginia. For more information on WJMA, visit http://www.wjma.radiohistory.net​