On the Map: The Seymour I. Schwartz Collection of North American Maps, 1500-1800

From Jan. 28, 2008 through Jan. 17, 2009, the Main Gallery of the Harrison Institute/Small Special Collections Library will display an exhibit called "On the Map: The Seymour I. Schwartz Collection of North American Maps 1500-1800." Dr. Schwartz is a well-known surgeon and medical educator whose avocation is cartography. Over a long and distinguished career, he has been recognized as one of the foremost U. S. authorities on maps and has written five books on the topic. This exhibit offers an opportunity to see Dr. Schwartz's North American map collection, which he has donated to the University of Virginia Library. For more information on the exhibit, see the exhibit website.

Traveling Historic Virginia: Sites and Tales

We've just got more information on the Virginia Festival of the Book panel that I will participate in.

Here's the link: Traveling Historic Virginia: Sites and Tales.

John Mosby Heritage Area, Feb. 9 & Mar. 8, 2008

Though John Mosby was a native of Albemarle County, the John Mosby Heritage Area is located around Warrenton, VA (about an hour west of Washington, D.C. and 2 hours north of Charlottesville). This is the area where Mosby and his men were most active during the Civil War.

During February and March of 2008, the Grey Ghost Interpretive Group will be offering "Fireside Mosby" at the Rector House in Atoka, near Middleburg, VA. As the website explains, "These are stories from costumed interpreters portraying citizens and soldiers who lived in this area during the time of the Civil War." Cost is $5 for adults and $2 for students. Check the website of the John Mosby Heritage Area for more information.

Spain and the U.S. in the Age of Independence: National Portrait Gallery

There is a new show at the National Portrait Gallery called "Legacy: Spain and the United States in the Age of Independence, 1763-1848." According to the Washington Post, it is a collection of "some 70 portraits, maps, and treaties that attempt to shed some light on this still-shadowy corner of history."

While the National Portrait Gallery is not in Charlottesville or Albemarle County -- it's in Washington, D.C. -- this show sounds like it would be a lot of fun and educational, too!

New Albemarle Areas on the National Register of Historic Places

The Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places as of this month. It is the largest Historic District in the eastern United States, comprising 83,627 acres which contain 2,169 historic buildings, structures, sites, or objects, created in the period from 1729 to 1955.

In addition, the Martha Jefferson Neighborhood District, containing 118 historic buildings and structures, and Carr's Hill, the University of Virginia President's House, have also been added to the list.

Dec. 15, 10:30 am - Book Signing at New Dominion Bookshop

Hi, all -- I'll be at the New Dominion Bookshop for one hour (or more if people keep buying books!) on Saturday. The Guide is a great gift for Christmas, especially if it's dedicated to that special person! See you there ...

Virginia Festival of the Book, March 2008

I'm very excited! I just found out that I will be a participant in the Virginia Festival of the Book this coming spring. I'll be on a panel of authors talking about writing travel books. More details will be forthcoming on the Festival's website at http://www.vabook.org/.