Virginia History & Culture - Fall/Winter 2019

Fall/Winter 2019

Founding Frenemies: Hamilton and The Virginians Virginia Museum of History & Culture

The Werle Collection

Bivalves Abound: Oysters in Virginia

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

VirginiaHistory.org

In This Issue

Founding Frenemies: Hamilton and The Virginians page 4

New to the Collection page 8

Ashe Boulevard Dedication page 10

Independence Day page 12

BrewHaHa Beer Festival page 13

Shetterly Lecture page 16

Oysters in Virginia page 18

Charlie Brown Exhibition page 22

Black History Museum Partnership page 24

News & Notes page 26

Cover: Plan of the City of Washington in the Territory of Columbia (VMHC).

Virginia History & Culture No. 5 Questions/Comments newsletter@VirginiaHistory.org 428 N Arthur Ashe Boulevard Richmond, Virginia 23220 VirginiaHistory.org 804.340.1800 Galleries and Museum Shop Open daily, 10 am – 5 pm Research Library Mon. – Sat., 10 am – 5 pm NEWSLETTER TEAM Editor Graham Dozier Designer/Production Jennifer Nesossis Contributors Jamie Bosket, Michael Plumb, Adam Scher, Andrew Talkov, and Troy Wilkinson

EXECUTIVE TEAM President & CEO Jamie O. Bosket VP for Collections Adam E. Scher VP for Exhibitions & Publications Andrew H. Talkov VP for Guest Engagement Michael B. Plumb VP for Marketing & Communications Tracy D. Schneider Sr. VP for Operations & Finance Richard S. V. Heiman

VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chair Charles L. Cabell Vice Chair Pamela Kiecker Royall Immediate Past Chair John R. Nelson, Jr. Honorary Vice Chairs Harry F. Byrd III Nancy H. Gottwald Conrad M. Hall Board of Trustees Makola M. Abdullah Victor K. Branch Austin Brockenbrough III Jeannette R. Cadwallender Herbert A. Claiborne III Richard Cullen Joanie D. Eiland Peter F. Farrell

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is owned and operated by the Virginia Historical Society — a private, non-profit organization established in 1831.

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Susan S. Goode Russell B. Harper Landon Hilliard Gen. John P. Jumper Linwood Allen Lacy, Jr. Elizabeth A. McClanahan G. Gilmer Minor III Lisa R. Moore Kevin B. Osborne Thomas G. Slater, Jr. Robert Clarkson Sledd Gerald F. Smith Thomas G. Snead, Jr. Robert Dorsey Taylor Donald M. Wilkinson J. Harvie Wilkinson III

From the President “These Virginians are birds of a feather…”

— Alexander Hamilton, HAMILTON

Once in a generation or so — with a little luck and good timing — a work of popular culture captivates widespread attention and reignites interest in the past. In our time, it is undoubtable that Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway sensation, HAMILTON, has done just that. Based on The New York Times bestselling biography by Ron Chernow, Hamilton, has done more for youth engagement and general interest in foundingera history in the United States than anything in decades. Its reach has been extensive, with millions seeing the musical or hearing the soundtrack.

Since its debut in 2015, the musical has sold out performances across the nation and been the recipient of a Grammy, the Pulitzer Prize, and eleven Tony Awards. Beyond the depth of its narrative — much of which is based on real historical events — Hamilton also stands out for its unique mix of musical styles and its purposeful diversity.

As Virginia’s state history museum, it’s only fitting that the Virginia Museum of History & Culture present special events in honor of the musical HAMILTON during the six-week Virginia tour — half in Richmond and half in Norfolk — this winter. As such, the museum will mount a new exhibition, Founding Frenemies: Hamilton and The Virginians, which will pair ten of the musical’s most popular songs with rare artifacts. We will also offer a number of educational and public programs.

This special musical makes history relevant and maybe even a little fun — a quest we ourselves are on each and every day. Whether you are able to get to the theater or not, be sure to come by the museum for a fresh look at some old stories.

Sincerely,

“DON’T THROW AWAY YOUR SHOT!” Jamie O. Bosket President & CEO

Timely partnerships and programs are only possible through the support and generosity of our members!

We receive no government operating support.

To make a contribution please visit VirginiaHistory.org/AnnualFund, or contact Matt Weber, Manager of Annual Giving and Membership, at 804.342.9658.

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Founding Frenemies Hamilton and The Virginians

by Dr. William M. S. Rasmussen

A

new, special exhibition, Founding Frenemies: Hamilton and The Virginians, examines how critically important relationships between Alexander Hamilton and three Virginians shaped the character of the United States, its founding institutions, and patterns of civil discourse that are still felt today. The protagonists in Founding Frenemies are four of the Founding Fathers.

George Washington was Hamilton’s greatest friend and greatest supporter. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were two of Hamilton’s greatest political enemies.

The exhibition is inspired by the content of the popular Broadway production HAMILTON. Ten songs from the musical are brought to life through rare artifacts.

Founding Frenemies opens when a traveling production of HAMILTON comes to Richmond and Norfolk, bringing heavy publicity to the story. But, regardless of the popularity of the Hamilton story today, there is good reason to present an exhibition about him. Much of his story involves Virginians. Among the millions of objects in the museum’s collection are letters by Hamilton that relate to both the Revolutionary War and his accomplishments as secretary of the treasury; letters by his Virginia friends and foes that illustrate the immense political divide in the

1790s; and period books and newspapers that bring to life such major episodes in the Hamilton story as his report on the national bank, his “observations” regarding the Maria Reynolds scandal, and his defense of the Treasury’s policy with Dutch loans.

The exhibition will offer a rich analysis of Virginia history during its most renowned period, the era of the Founding Fathers. As with the recent VMHC exhibition, John Marshall: Hidden Hero of National Union, this show broadens our understanding of the “Virginia Dynasty” — of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe.

All of those figures interacted frequently with the Federalists Hamilton and Marshall.

Hamilton’s important service during the Revolutionary War is illustrated by one of the many letters he wrote for Washington while serving as the general’s top aide (his “right-hand-man”). Display of his field epaulets and sword knot bring to life the story of his heroism at the battle of Yorktown. A map of British fortifications, published in 1782, identifies the strategically critical British Redoubt No. 10 that Hamilton and the 400 infantrymen stormed.

Left: Col. Alexander Hamilton’s field epaulets and sword knot, late 18th century (Image courtesy of The Society of the Cincinnati, Washington, D.C.). At Yorktown, George Washington gave Hamilton the field command that the young lieutenant colonel had fervently requested. Hamilton is said to have worn this pair of field epaulets and sword knot — a device for securing a sword to an officer’s hand — during the Revolutionary War. Right: Alexander Hamilton, 1792, by John Trumbull (Image courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art).

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A rare period printing of Hamilton’s Report. . . on the Subject of a National Bank introduces Hamilton’s dynamic financial policy that paid America’s enormous war debts while it established public credit and a thriving economy.

A $100 note from the Philadelphia branch of the National Bank, dated 1793, is included in the exhibition. Hamilton’s Federalist policies launched a venomous feud between him and his Republican enemies, Jefferson and Madison.

They distrusted banks (and were indebted to ones in England and Scotland) and rightfully saw that Hamilton was beginning a transfer of power from the states to the federal government, which would be followed by economic loss for the southern states and a diminution of states’ rights.

The shift of the U.S. Capital from New York City to the Potomac River, the result of a deal worked out between Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison that gave Hamilton his National Bank, is illustrated by a 1792 map of the proposed, and soon built, city of Washington.

The cabinet debate between Secretary of State Jefferson and Treasury Secretary Hamilton regarding President Washington’s neutrality stance, and later his Jay Treaty with England — and Jefferson’s proposed alliance with revolutionary France — is addressed in a letter written by Hamilton that references the seizure of American ships in the Caribbean.

Above: Note issued by the National Bank, 7 June 1793 (Image courtesy The Museum of American Finance, New York City).

Jefferson’s search for “dirt on Hamilton”— a payback for Hamilton’s success with seemingly pro-northern financial policies — was the first concerted attempt in American history to expel a cabinet member for official misconduct.

This conflict is illustrated by blatant attacks on Hamilton

by Jefferson and Madison and was recorded on the pages of the National Gazette, a Republican newspaper.

The Virginians unfairly accused the treasury secretary of lacking authority to take out loans from Dutch banks and of corruption.

The first major extramarital scandal in American history (“the Reynolds Seduction”) is illustrated by a copy of the pamphlet written by Hamilton himself who, in an attempt to combat accusations of corruption and preserve his reputation, publicly confessed the affair.

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Washington’s “Farewell Address” was never read but instead was printed in newspapers. This exhibition features a rare copy of a Boston paper that includes one of the first printings of the address. The ideas in the address were all Washington’s, but the words, certainly the majority, were Hamilton’s.

In the election of 1800, vice-presidential candidate Aaron Burr received the same number of electoral votes as did his running mate, Thomas Jefferson. Burr then attempted to steal the presidency for himself.

Hamilton intervened to sway Federalist votes and give the presidency to Jefferson, his arch enemy. This turning point in American history was momentous. The exhibition displays a letter by Jefferson and examines the reasons Hamilton supported him.

At the conclusion of the exhibition, viewers will be able to read in the Richmond Enquirer of July 21, 1804, reports of Hamilton’s death, at age 49, following his fatal duel with Aaron Burr. Life-size bronze statues of Hamilton and Burr, with dueling pistols aimed at one another on display in the museum’s main entrance, recreate the fatal duel, and transport guests — at least in spirit — to the eventful era that was the early republic.

SPECIAL EXHIBITION PROGRAMMING October 18 at 6:00 pm

FOUNDING FRENEMIES: AN EVENING WITH HAMILTON & JEFFERSON Be among the first to visit the museums newest exhibition, Founding Frenemies: Hamilton and The Virginians, and enjoy an evening of contentious conversation as “Alexander Hamilton” and “Thomas Jefferson” debate key issues of the founding era.

November 16, gates open at 5:00 pm FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR AT THE DIAMOND

plus an interview with Chris Jackson, the original “George Washington” from the broadway musical HAMILTON Join us for a night of extraordinary fireworks choreographed to selections from the Broadway sensation, HAMILTON.

December 3 at 6:30 pm

BROADWAY MEETS HISTORY

Above: “Death of Genl. Hamilton,” Richmond Enquirer, 21 July 1904 (VMHC).

In this talk, University of Maryland historian Dr. Richard Bell explores the musical phenomenon of HAMILTON to reveal what its success tells us about the marriage of history and show business, and discusses what the musical gets right and gets wrong about Alexander Hamilton, the American Revolution, and the birth of the United States.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY AT: VirginiaHistory.org/Hamilton

FOUNDING FRENEMIES: HAMILTON AND THE VIRGINIANS On display through February 2, 2020 in the Stern Family Gallery PRESENTED BY

DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO SEE HAMILTON! RICHMOND ALTRIA THEATER November 19 – December 8 BroadwayInRichmond.com

NORFOLK WITH SUPPORT FROM The Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Virginia

CHRYSLER HALL December 10 – 29 SevenVenues.com

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New to the Collection The Christopher Werle Collection

This page: Christopher Werle in Kuwait with burning oil wells, 1991. Opposite page: Boots and cap worn by Werle in Kuwait, 1991 (Gift of Christopher P. Werle).

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I

n its continuing effort to document Virginia’s role in 21st-century global history, the VMHC recently acquired a collection of artifacts, images, and manuscripts chronicling the Persian Gulf War experiences of Lt. Col. Christopher Werle (Ret). In 1991, Werle served seven months in Kuwait as the U.S. Department of Defense liaison officer to international civilian firefighting teams tasked with extinguishing and capping more than 730 oil wells detonated by retreating Iraqi forces. The collection includes uniform components, credentials, maps, battlefield photographs, a log of Werle’s daily activities, and even a piece of coke slag from an exploded wellhead.

The son of a career U.S. Navy officer, Chris Werle grew up in Virginia Beach. A graduate of the ROTC program at Virginia State College, Werle was trained as an engineer and undertook various command and staff assignments in the United States and overseas during his 21-year career with the U.S. Army. He retired from active duty in 1992 and worked another 26 years as an environmental defense contractor before retiring again in 2018.

From April to October 1991, Werle served as the senior environmental staff officer with the Defense Reconstruction Assistance Office (DRAO), where he oversaw U.S. Department of Defense environmental program support for the reconstruction of Kuwait.

In his role as a liaison to firefighters battling burning oil wells, Chris employed a Combat Engineer Vehicle to fire demolition rounds to detonate and safely remove coke mounds from burning wellheads.

The coke slag specimen included in the collection was taken from a damaged wellhead detonated by a 300-pound plastic explosive charge designed by Werle.

Chris also worked with various international health agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to study the health impacts of the oil well fires.

The Werle collection provides a unique insight into the unsung role of the U.S. military in helping to combat the devastating impact of Kuwaiti oil fires and should be a valued resource for researchers seeking a comprehensive understanding of Virginia’s role in the Persian Gulf War.

HELP BUILD OUR COLLECTION

To donate collections, contact Adam E. Scher, Vice President for Collections, at 804.342.9670 or ascher@VirginiaHistory.org.

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A Community Celebration Arthur Ashe Boulevard Dedication & Determined Exhibition Opening

June 22, 2019, saw the single largest crowd in the Virginia Museum of History & Culture’s long history. Some 7,000 people visited the museum, with more than half that number participating in the ceremony to dedicate Arthur Ashe Boulevard.

Hosted in partnership with the City of Richmond, the Arthur Ashe Boulevard Initiative, and with the support of Dominion Energy, a truly memorable event took place on the front lawn of the VMHC. Over the course of 90 minutes, nearly a dozen speakers reflected on the importance of this dedication, the legacy of Richmond-born Arthur Ashe, and the important history the VMHC is working to tell through its new exhibit, Determined: The 400-Year Struggle for Black Equality.

Among the elected officials participating were Richmond mayor Levar Stoney, Virginia governor Ralph Northam, Congressman A. Donald McEachin, and Senator Tim Kaine. Members of the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus also attended, including Virginia’s congressman Bobby Scott, and renowned Civil Rights activists, Congressman John Lewis who provided keynote remarks. Also speaking during the ceremony were Arthur Ashe’s nephew David Harris, Dominion chairman and CEO Tom Farrell, and VMHC president Jamie Bosket. Performances by the 10 | Virginia History & Culture

Elegba Folklore Society and the historic Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church choir, added beautifully to the day.

In a grand climatic moment, new Arthur Ashe Boulevard signs were unveiled as purple streamers shot high into the air and the crowd joined in the proud and tearful singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Following the dedication ceremony, Congressman A. Donald McEachin hosted members of the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus for a “State of Black America” town hall where members discussed a variety of pressing issues affecting black Americans today.

In telling history, the museum and its community together made history.

Above: Guests capture on phones and cameras the moment when the new Arthur Ashe Boulevard signs are unveiled; Opposite page, top left, clockwise: Richmond mayor Levar Stoney; David Harris poses in front of the Arthur Ashe Boulevard signs; Elegba Folklore Society performs; Congressman A. Donald McEachin greets Congressman John Lewis.

“This is what progress looks like!”

— Mayor Levar Stoney

“We’ve come too far, and we are not going back!”

— Congressman John Lewis

DETERMINED EXHIBITION SPONSORS

CEREMONY SPONSORS

Conrad and Peggy Hall Mr. and Mrs. G. Gilmer Minor III Lettie Pate Evans Changing Exhibition Fund James H. Wilcox, Jr. Museum Acquisitions Fund Elis Olsson Memorial Foundation Fund

Visit VirginiaHistory.org/AsheBlvd to view a highlights video of the ceremony.

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An Independence Day Celebration July 4 Citizenship Ceremony at the Museum On July 4th, guests gathered to celebrate the 243rd birthday of the United States of America, and the Virginia Museum of History & Culture was proud to host its third annual naturalization ceremony. Joined by some 1,000 guests, nearly 100 new citizens from more than 40 different countries took the oath of allegiance in a moving program presided over by Chief Judge Roger Gregory of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

The ceremony was made even more powerful by the presence of Guillermo Manuel Torres, a new citizen from Mexico who participated in the museum’s Becoming Citizens class in the fall of 2017. The Becoming Citizens course prepares students to complete the 12 | Virginia History & Culture

U.S. citizenship test successfully through civics and history lessons. Unlike other citizenship classes, this course, held at the museum, offers participants opportunities to interact personally with original historical objects, maps, books, and documents, while engaging with experts in the history of this state and nation.

Guillermo noted that the program “helped me be more confident when it came to the interview,” and museum staff were thrilled to be able to celebrate with him.

Candidates for citizenship are assigned a ceremony by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, so Guillermo is the first of our participants to be assigned to the ceremony at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.

Visit VirginiaHistory.org to learn more about the free Becoming Citizens program and upcoming classes.

Top: Chief Judge Roger Gregory shakes hands with a new citizen. Left: Guillermo Manuel Torres.

BrewHaHa 3rd Annual Virginia Craft Beer Festival

Guests looking to beat the heat of August in Richmond were able to sample a variety of beer and cider from around the commonwealth in the third annual BrewHaHa Virginia Craft Beer Festival, held on Saturday, August 3rd.

The VIP “Battle of the All-stars” event kicked the evening off with a competition between Ardent Craft Ales and Isley Brewing Company. Both breweries were the top competitors at the 2018 “Battle of the Brews.” This year, each brewery presented its version of a gas beer recipe from the 1867 cookbook, “Six Hundred Receipts, Worth Their Weight in Gold” from the museum’s collection. Ardent’s gas beer creation utilized dried malt extract, dark brown sugar, fresh ginger root, and a cinnamon stick, along with East Kent Golding hops, while Isley used golden molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel, casked with fresh yeast from a recent IPA fermentation. After the votes were tallied, Ardent was crowned the winner for the second year in a row!

Guests at the main festival enjoyed a beautiful evening of music from the River City Band, food trucks, and featured beers and ciders from across Virginia, including Ardent Craft Ales, Blue Bee Cider, Bold Rock Hard Cider, Center of the Universe Brewing, Devils Backbone Brewing Company, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Isley Brewing Company, Kindred Spirit Brewing, Legend Brewing Company, Midnight Brewery, O’Connor Brewing Co., and Starr Hill Brewery.

Top left, clockwise: Guests relax on the museum’s front steps; the 2019 commemorative BrewHaHa glass; guests enjoy playing cornhole on the front lawn of the museum; VMHC president & CEO Jamie Bosket leads attendees in a toast.

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Upcoming Events NOVEMBER 1–3 Fire, Flour, & Fork, $

Visit fireflourandfork.com

for more information.

16 Fireworks Spectacular at

The Diamond, $

Gates open at 5:00 pm

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Banner Lecture, 12:00 pm, $ The Property of the Nation: George Washington’s Tomb, Mount Vernon, and the Memory of the First President

by Matthew Costello Cosponsored by the White House Historical Association

11 Holiday Reception for 1831 and

Weddell Society members at

Virginia House, 5:30 pm, $

6 Virginia Journeys, 8:00 am, $

University of Virginia:

Thomas Jefferson’s Masterpiece

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From Reel to Real Indians, 6:00 pm, $ Reel Injun film screening and panel discussion

23

Behind the Scenes Tour, 10:30 am, $ Getting the Message Out: A Collector’s View of Presidential Campaigns

History on Tap, 6:30 pm, $ Brews and Bivalves

Photo courtesy University of Virginia

6

Banner Lecture, 12:00 pm, $ The Notorious History of the Virginia State Penitentiary

by Dale M. Blumfield

23 Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

exhibition opens

DECEMBER 2

11 Veterans Day Free Programming 13

Health in History Lecture Series, 6:00 pm, $ Is Cancer Still the Emperor?

How Innovative Research and Treatments Offer Hope for a Cure Cosponsored by the MCV Foundation

$ = Tickets/registration may be required. Member discounts may apply.

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3

15 Virginia House Holiday Open

House, 12:00 pm

JANUARY 9

Banner Lecture, 6:00 pm, $ Gerrymanders: How Redistricting Has Protected Slavery, White Supremacy, and Partisan Minorities in Virginia

by Brent Tarter

Richmond Philharmonic Holiday Concert, 7:00 pm, $

12 Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

exhibition closes

Broadway Meets History, 6:30 pm, $

22

4

Virginia Journeys, 7:30 am, $

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Photo courtesy Thalia Romero (Mount Vernon)

Virginia Journeys, 8:00 am, $ Yorktown: Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Colonial National Historical Park Yorktown Battlefield, and Custom House

Photo courtesy Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

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Banner Lecture, 12:00 pm, $ Lincoln’s Spies: Their Secret War to Save a Nation

by Douglas Waller

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Banner Lecture, 12:00 pm, $ Searching for Stonewall Jackson: A Quest for Legacy in a Divided America

by Ben Cleary

FEBRUARY 2

Founding Frenemies: Hamilton and The Virginians exhibition closes

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Banner Lecture, 12:00 pm, $ Inventing Disaster: The Culture of Calamity from the Jamestown Colony to the Johnstown Flood

by Cynthia A. Kierner

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Virginia Journeys, 7:00 am, $ Washington, D.C.: Supreme Court of the United States and Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument

CHOCOLATE DEMONSTRATIONS Join us for 18th-century chocolate-making on select Saturdays at 1:00 pm: November 30 December 7, 14, 21, and 28 January 4

Photo courtesy Architect of the Capitol

27 Banner Lecture, 6:00 pm, $

Bound to the Fire: How

Virginia’s Enslaved Cooks

Helped Invent American Cuisine

by Kelley Fanto Deetz

STORIES AT THE MUSEUM

For more information or to register for events, visit VirginiaHistory.org/Calendar.

Join us on the first and third Saturday of every month at 11:00 am to enjoy a historical story followed by a related craft.

Founding Frenemies: An Evening With Hamilton & Jefferson Friday, October 18, 2019, 6:00 pm, tickets at Tickets.VirginiaHistory.org Join the Virginia Museum of History & Culture for an evening of contentious conversation as “Alexander Hamilton” (Eben Kuhns) and “Thomas Jefferson” (Steve Edenbo) debate key issues of the founding era. Following the program, stay for a light reception and be among the first to visit the museum’s newest exhibition, Founding Frenemies: Hamilton and The Virginians.

Left: Eben Kuhns as Alexander Hamilton

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Hidden Figures An Evening with Margot Lee Shetterly and Gladys West

Above: Gladys West and Margot Lee Shetterly discuss the ways black women contributed to science.

In early August, the VMHC, in partnership with Virginia’s home for Public Media (VPM), brought together two remarkable Virginians to celebrate the achievements of black women in the aerospace industry. Margot Lee Shetterly, The New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, offered inspiring remarks to a sold-out audience about how growing up in Hampton, Virginia, with many of the human calculators as neighbors inspired her to shine a light on the underappreciated geniuses of the institution that became NASA. Shetterly was joined by Dinwiddie Visit ShopVirginiaHistory.org to County native Dr. Gladys purchase your copy of Hidden West, whose research Figures today.

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calculating the Earth’s shape during her 42-year career at Dahlgren Naval Support Facility helped in the development of Global Positioning Technology (GPS) that affects so many aspects of daily life in the 21st century.

Above: Margot Lee Shetterly receives the 2019 award.

During the event, Shetterly was awarded the Richard Slatten Award for Excellence in Virginia Biography.

The Slatten Award is supported by the Richard Slatten Endowment for Virginia History and the Slatten-MacDonald Fund, both funds administered by the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond.

This event was cosponsored by VPM PBS Science Matters.

Spotlight on Education Class is in session!

When the school year ends in June, many teachers head back to the classroom in search of professional development opportunities that provide them with the necessary tools to bring history to life for their students in new and dynamic ways.

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture’s Education team was proud to host one of these annual professional development opportunities, the Weinstein Properties Story of Virginia Teacher Institutes, and in July, welcomed teachers from across the commonwealth for two, week-long sessions in July and August.

In a change from year’s past, one of the sessions offered this summer went beyond a broad overview of 16,000 years of history to view 400 years of commonwealth history through the lens of the museum’s newest exhibition, Determined: The 400-Year Struggle for Black Equality. Participants took an in-depth look at the exhibit, examined primary sources, and engaged with museum staff and facilitators from Coming to the Table RVA and the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities to learn methods and best practices for teaching difficult history.

Both sessions also included a trip to the Robert Russa Moton Museum in Farmville, Virginia, a National Historic Landmark and museum rooted in Prince Edward County’s 1951 – 1964 fight for student freedom, thanks to an ongoing partnership with Longwood University.

Top, clockwise: Teachers work on a “You Be the Curator” project; curator Dr. Karen Sherry and teachers in the Determined exhibition; students at the Robert Russa Moton Museum.

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Bivalves Abound Oysters in Virginia

by Tracy Schneider

L

ong before English colonists arrived in Virginia, American Indians relied on oysters and other fish and shellfish for sustenance. Archaeological evidence indicates that for thousands of years indigenous people usually harvested oysters in the same location. Over time, the oysters’ size diminished due to a shortened lift cycle before being harvested, which in turn forced native fisherman to search for new sites to fish. When English colonists arrived, they were ill-equipped to fish for themselves and hired Virginia Indians to fish and harvest shellfish for them — placing even further demand on the mid-Atlantic crop.

Because of their abundance and proximity, oysters quickly became a staple of the colonists’ diet.

Prior to the 19th century, when food preservation techniques evolved, shellfish was harvested and consumed only within the Old Dominion. As canning became more prevalent in the 1800s, oysters could be packaged in coastal cities for transport on railways further inland, again expanding demand.

While considered a delicacy today, earlier in America’s history, oysters were cheaper than beef and were a staple on menus at homes and in restaurants. Cookbooks from the VMHC collections feature a variety of typical recipes, such as oyster soup, as well as more exotic concoctions like pickled oysters, and oyster ice cream. Pubs and taverns frequently offered oysters to be enjoyed with beer and ales.

Above: Oyster soup recipe from The Virginia Housewife: or, Methodical Cook by Mrs. Mary Randolph, 1839 (VMHC).

As a result of oysters’ popularity in Virginia, they came to be distributed across America and to Europe, which resulted in vastly expanded exportation. Eventually, pollution and overharvesting led to environmental degradation; disease driven by a non-native microorganism also plagued the ecosystem. By the 1970s, Chesapeake oyster production was at an all-time low, and within a decade the regional industry was nearly moribund.

Since that time, however, extensive conservation work has resulted in replenished oyster beds. In 2016 some 40 million oysters were sold in the Commonwealth.

Virginia oysters have come a long way, and are more popular than ever — and have reclaimed their place in Virginia’s food culture, tourism, and economy.

Left: Information about eating oysters, about 1900 (VMHC); E. J. Steelman’s Cherrystone Oysters can, 20th century (VMHC).

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Did you know?

The Nature Conservancy

The eastern oyster is sometimes called the Atlantic or American oyster, but its scientific name comes from Virginia — Crassostrea virginica.

Wild oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay have declined to less than 1% of their historical numbers.

Each day, 1 oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water!

Virginia is the number one state on the East Coast for oyster aquaculture

History on Tap: Brews and Bivalves Clean water makes great tasting beer and oysters. Without that crucial ingredient, the quality of both will suffer, and millions of commonwealth residents would be without a cherished beverage and briny treat.

Join the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Virginia, for an evening that celebrates conservation, beer, and bivalves. Featuring samples of Virginia’s finest oysters, and the beers that complement them, and stories from brewers, oyster farmers, and conservationists, this event will celebrate these vital components of Virginia’s past and future.

VIRGINIA PINELANDS The Nature Conservancy is working in the Virginia Pinelands, a unique section of southeastern Virginia with open pine savannas, winding blackwater rivers, and expansive wetlands. This region is referred to as Virginia’s “Founding Forest,” as its longleaf pine trees provided the frames, floors, ship timbers, and pine tar for colonial homes and businesses. The longleaf pine trees were harvested to near extinction by 1893, but The Nature Conservancy and its partners are now restoring longleaf for Virginia’s wildlife, timber resources, and cultural heritage, and are also protecting the region’s Blackwater and Nottoway rivers, which provide drinking water for more than 800,000 residents (and many breweries!) in the Hampton Roads region.

CHESAPEAKE BAY OYSTER RECOVERY The Nature Conservancy’s oyster-restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay have primarily focused on native oyster reef restoration, while simultaneously supporting wild oyster populations and a growing commercial oyster industry. The oyster industry in Virginia is the most productive on the East Coast, providing sustainable seafood and green jobs. TNC and partners have restored more than 956 acres of reef over the last five years, with 564 acres in Maryland and 392 acres in Virginia. By 2025, their goal is to restore native oyster reefs to sustainable levels in 10 Bay tributaries.

Each ticket includes three, 6-oz. beer samples, three samples of oysters, and a commemorative glass to take home at the end of the evening. Tickets for additional samples will be for sale while supplies last.

Thursday, November 21, 2019 6:30pm at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture Purchase tickets online at VirginiaHistory.org $25 Virginia Historical Society and The Nature Conservancy members $30 non-members

In partnership with Above: The Nature Conservancy vintage poster.

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Read With Us Recently Published & Recommended Buy your copy today at ShopVirginiaHistory.org!

20 | Virginia History & Culture

2019 Commemorative Christmas Ornament Don’t wait! Purchase your limited edition 2019 Official Virginia History Ornament today before they sell out!

Among the assortment of Virginia historical symbols featured on this year’s magnolia wreath are a tennis racket to remember the legacy of Arthur Ashe; a fiddle and bow highlighting the rich musical tradition of Southwest Virginia’s Crooked Road; the Capitol at Colonial Williamsburg; an icon of Roanoke, the Norfolk and Western J611 train; a foxhunter and American foxhound from Middleburg; and the iconic Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

From our family to yours, we wish you the happiest of holidays and a joyous new year!

Hang your ornament before Christmas!

Order by November 30th.

Made in America

Retail Price: $19.95 Members receive a 10% discount!

Ornaments are available online at ShopVirginiaHistory.org/2019Ornament

LOOKING FOR GIFT IDEAS? GIVE A GIFT MEMBERSHIP! Purchase a Virginia Historical Society gift membership at VirginiaHistory.org/Gift.

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Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

A Special Holiday Exhibition

by Dr. Karen Sherry

F

or many Americans, the holiday season is incomplete without a viewing of the classic TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. This iconic animated film from 1965 has been delighting generations of viewers with its timeless story of how Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang find the true meaning of the season amid the frustrations and commercialism of modern life.

In one comic, Charlie Brown transcribes a letter to Linus, who tries to tug at Santa’s heartstrings by citing his youth and helplessness. Confident of how affecting this emotional ploy is, Linus suggests that Charlie Brown, too, might need to “wipe away a tear.”

This year, you can have a deeper dive into the Peanuts world through the special exhibition Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!, on view for only a limited time at the VMHC. Organized by the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California, the exhibition explores the artistic genius of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz and his unique take on the Christmas season.

It’s a vision marked by both whimsical humor and philosophical insight — told through the antics of Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy, and their friends. Although the Peanuts characters are all children and animals, they reflect a wide range of human emotions, personalities, and experiences. Their joys and melancholy, their foibles and triumphs, their hope and camaraderie have made them resonate with audiences across generations.

The exhibition features 50 Peanuts comic strips from the 1950s through the 1990s addressing various aspects of the holiday season.

Peanuts ©1958 Peanuts Worldwide LLC

22 | Virginia History & Culture

© 2019 Peanuts Worldwide LLC

Peanuts ©1972 Peanuts Worldwide LLC

In another, Snoopy finds delight then dismay in his reflection on a Christmas ornament — Schulz’s subtle commentary on society’s concern for superficial appearance.

In addition, Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! includes a rare surviving animation cel from A Charlie Brown Christmas showing the Peanuts kids dancing and a documentary video about the making of the Christmas special that provides insight into Schulz’s creative process. Vintage novelty items such as ornaments, puzzles, and a 3-D version of the iconic spindly Christmas tree show the broad and enduring popularity of these beloved characters. Family-friendly activities will allow guests to be part of the Peanuts story.

Come to the museum to share the holidays with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the gang! Like the season, this exhibition will go by quickly, so be sure to enjoy this special chance to embrace the humor, the wisdom, and the wonder of Peanuts in Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

Opposite page, top: Snoopy in a wreath; bottom: Peanuts Daily

© 2019 Peanuts Worldwide LLC

Strip, December 2, 1961. This page, top: Peanuts Daily Strip, December 23, 1972; right: title graphic for Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! exhibition (all images courtesy of the Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa, California).

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! is organized by the Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa, California

MERRY CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN! On display November 23, 2019 through January 12, 2020 in the Susan and David Goode Gallery VirginiaHistory.org | 23

Collaboration for the Future VMHC and Black History Museum Partner to Tell an Inclusive Story of Virginia

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hen it comes to mission, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia (BHMVA) have much in common. Invigorated by new leadership, both institutions have set their sights on revitalized programming to preserve Virginia’s past, share our state’s stories, and connect people with history in meaningful ways. Equally committed to using the power of history to inspire, the museums have entered into a longterm cooperative agreement to share collections and resources to connect more people to the Virginia story.

Established in 1981, the BHMVA was the dream of Carroll Anderson, Sr., who led the effort to create the Bill “Bojangles” Robinson monument in Richmond’s Jackson Ward neighborhood. Anderson envisioned a repository for Virginia’s black history collections, and after a decade of planning, the museum opened in 1991 at 00 Clay Street. Located in a residence that previously served as the black branch of the Richmond Public Library, the museum acquired and exhibited collections documenting the inspirational stories of black Americans from all walks of life.

In 2016, the museum moved to the Leigh Street Armory, which was built for black troops in the 1890s and later served as a school, and then a recreation center for black soldiers during World War II. The new museum features permanent galleries exploring emancipation, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, desegregation, and the Civil Rights Movement. Changing galleries feature exhibits ranging from visionary artist Murry DePillars to the experiences of black soldiers during World War II. Like all museums, the Black History Museum has limited exhibition space and must store many of its collections. Under this new agreement with the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, these collections will be housed, preserved, and digitized by the VMHC, which has robust facilities designed for this purpose. Digital content will be accessible through the VMHC online catalog. The VMHC will also facilitate access to the BHMVA collections for research and exhibition. It is a noble partnership for two museums devoted to voicing deeper stories of Virginia’s past, and the public stands to benefit immensely from their collaboration.

Left: The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia in the Leigh Street Armory. Above: Wooden figure from the BHMVA collection, gift of Allen and Less Kreisler.

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Support Our Work

New Holiday Reception As a private institution with no state operating support, we rely heavily on charitable contributions from our supporters.

Here are just a few ways you can give:

MEMBERSHIP Join us as a member to take advantage of free admission year-round and a host of other exciting benefits.

CORPORATE & FOUNDATION GIVING Connect your brand to the oldest cultural organization of its kind in Virginia and share our commitment to excellence in our community.

PLANNED GIFTS Plan your legacy so your passion for history will continue to inspire future generations by joining the Weddell Society.

ANNUAL FUND

On December 11, the museum will host the first annual Holiday Reception exclusively for 1831 and Weddell Society members at Virginia House.

Donors whose annual gifts total $1,000 or more are recognized as members of the 1831 Society (our founding year). For more information about the 1831 Society, please contact Matt Weber, Manager of Annual Fund and Membership, at 804.342.9658.

Members of the Weddell Society have generously included the Virginia Historical Society in their estate plans. For more information about the Weddell Society, please contact Cathy Boe, Manager of Advancement Initiatives, at 804.342.9657.

Not an 1831 or Weddell Society member?

Upgrade your membership today to secure your invitation!

Gifts to the Annual Fund power the heart of our mission, helping to underwrite exhibitions, events, and program across the museum.

MATCHING GIFTS Maximize the power of your gift to the Virginia Historical Society by participating in your employers matching gift program.

Visit VirginiaHistory.org/Give.

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News & Notes Chocolate Demos Return!

For the second year, the VMHC will hold interactive chocolate demonstrations, made possible through funding from Mars, Inc. as part of their Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Research Grant Program.

Above: A family enjoys the Ashe ‘68 Virtual Reality Experience.

Ashe ‘68 Virtual Reality Experience Museum guests this summer experienced Ashe ‘68 — an 8-minute virtual reality experience using archival material, animation, and 360 degree video recreations that enabled guests to virtually experience the moments before Arthur Ashe’s historic win at the 1968 U.S. Open, including Ashe’s historic pre-match press conference, walk down the halls of the West Side Tennis Club, and winning match point.

Presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame and produced by Rex Miller and Beth Hubbard, the Ashe ‘68 Virtual Reality Experience visit to the VMHC was generously supported by local residents.

Thank you to the following donors for their support: Sally & O.H. Parrish Alice Tilghman Richard Tilghamn Susan & Bill Barnes Beth & Kevin Beale Marguerite & Bryan Bostic Brockenbrough Family Fund Mary & Fred Bruner Nancy & Tom Chewning Anne & Irving Driscoll Becky & Lou Einwick The Fatherree Foundation Leigh & Drew Gallalee Shima & Joe Grover Betty Baugh Harrison & Tom Vozenilek 26 | Virginia History & Culture

Alan Hutson, Jr. The Martin Agency Mama J’s Kitchen Chrissie & Eric Perkins Richmond Tennis Association Bird & Matt Schon Serving Up Change Peggy & Henry Valentine Taffy & Greg Williams Susan Winiecki Lindsay & Coley Wortham Richmond Magazine

Cristo Rey High School Partnership Class was in session in more ways than one this summer at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Though the summer months typically see families and vacationers filling the exhibits, students from Cristo Rey High School turned the museum into a high school for classes and new-student orientation. The museum was thrilled to host more than 100 students and teachers over the course of three weeks.

Cristo Rey is the newest private high school in Richmond, founded in cooperation with the Catholic Diocese of Richmond and Bon Secours Ministries at the former home of the Benedictine College Preparatory High School. Their unique program designed for students from underserved communities combines rigorous college preparatory courses and four years of professional work experience to position students for future success.

J. Sargeant Reynolds Book

Share Your Stories

“This marvelous biography brings Sargeant Reynolds vividly to life — his vision and vitality, his belief that coming generations would make America an ever better place to be.” – J. Harvie Wilkinson III

The VMHC is collecting stories and items for their upcoming exhibition, Agents of Change: Female Activism in Virginia from Women’s Suffrage to Today. Opening in March 2020, Agents of Change will explore the legacies of the suffrage movement with a focus on the unsung heroines who represent grass roots activism today. The exhibit is a signature project of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commemoration.

Few decades brought more transformational change to Virginia’s political landscape than the 1960s, and few Virginia politicians enjoyed more success during this tumultuous time than J. Sargeant Reynolds. This new biography of the youngest Virginian to win election as lieutenant governor captures his story and illuminates the forces that reshaped the Democratic Party — and the entire commonwealth.

This publication was funded by the Virginia Sargeant Reynolds Foundation.

This new biography written by C. Matthew West is available for purchase in the VMHC Museum Shop for $19.95.

Purchase copies at ShopVirginiaHistory.org/Reynolds.

The museum is seeking documents, photos, and objects to tell the stories of women who have brought change to their communities, especially in areas of gender and race equality, social justice, education, business and labor, health and reproductive rights, and arts and culture.

Have a story or item to share? Please contact Adam Scher, Vice President for Collections, at ascher@VirginiaHistory.org or 804.342.9670.

Above: Equal Suffrage League of Richmond, Capitol Square, 1915 (VMHC).

Remembering Anne Rowell Worrell Trustees and staff of the Virginia Historical Society were deeply saddened to learn of the loss of long-time board member Anne Rowell Worrell who passed on August 1, 2019, in Charlottesville.

Born in Surry, Virginia, Anne lived in numerous cities along the east coast before settling in Bristol, Virginia. In Bristol, she and her husband Eugene, founded the Virginia Tennessean newspaper, the first of their many newspaper business enterprises. Between 1952 and 1976, Anne had a regular column, “The View From Here.” In 1970, Anne and Gene purchased the Daily Progress and moved to Charlottesville.

Anne was deeply passionate about history and preservation, and her contributions to arts and education extended across the Commonwealth and beyond. Worrell joined the board of trustees of the Virginia Historical Society in 1996 and served as an honorary vice chairman from 2004 to 2019. She will be deeply missed.

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FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR AT THE DIAMOND plus an interview with CHRIS JACKSON, the original “George Washington” from the hit broadway musical HAMILTON

Saturday, November 16 Join us for a night of extraordinary fireworks choreographed to selections from the Broadway sensation, HAMILTON. Celebrate the 6-week run of the award-winning musical in Virginia with family programming at The Diamond.

Gates open at 5:00 pm!

Learn more at VirginiaHistory.org/Hamilton.

Instagram.com/ VirginiaHistory