Upcoming Events:
Book Talk & Signing
Oct 7, 2007

Civil War Conference
Oct 12-14, 2007

More info here...

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The Mosby Heritage Area Association Newsletter - September 2007

Crooked Run Valley from Ashby Gap, Fauquier County, Virginia

Statement From The President
by Gayle DeLashmutt
Welcome to the first of the Mosby Heritage Area Association’s e-newsletters.  Although MHAA is an organization whose mission is to preserve the historic and natural resources of the area, we’re very pleased to work hand in hand with today’s technology and launch this first edition.  It’s been months in the planning stages and our thanks go to one of our new board members, Steve Hines, for helping write, edit and give guidance on this project.

Gayle DeLashmutt, President MHAA

MHAA has made great strides in the last year and we wanted to be sure that our members know of our programs, progress and growth.  We’re an organization whose existence relies on the generous contributions of our membership

For other interested persons, we hope that through this newsletter you will become better acquainted with our organization’s efforts to preserve the historic and natural resources of this unique area.   We invite you to visit our website, www.mosbyheritagearea.org to learn more about the Mosby Heritage Area Association and to explore this wonderful region with the help of our many publications and audio tours. 

Fall is a magical time in Virginia and we hope we can help you enjoy the season.

Gayle DeLashmutt
President MHAA

Changes To The Board
New Board Members Welcomed

In July, the MHAA welcomed five new members to the Board of Directors:

Emily Ristau, The Plains, Scott Abeel, The Plains, Joseph Dempsey, Marshall,  Patrick Farris, Front Royal and, Steve Hines, Aldie.

The term for new members of the Board of Directors is three years.

New Advisory Board Members are: Marc Leepson, Helen Christian, Christopher Needels, Douglas Lees, III, Paul Dietrich, Barry Fry, and Kim Hume.

Members leaving the Board of Directors: Marc Leepson, Helen Christian, Christopher Needels, Douglas Lees III, and Nicole Perry.

Members leaving the Advisory Board: Peggy Maio, Howard Kittel, Hope Porter, Linda Newton.

“The sustaining force of nonprofits is the volunteer leadership. Without a strong commitment from concerned citizens in the Mosby Heritage Area, the association would not be able to do its valuable work, said MHAA president Gayle Delashmutt. “I want to express my deep appreciation to the new and departing members of the Board of Directors and Advisory Board for their willingness to serve and their dedication to preserving the great history of this area.”

Desperate Engagement Book Signing
Journalist and historian Marc Leepson will discuss his new book, Desperate Engagement, on Sunday, October 7, at 5 p.m. at historic Oak Hill in Aldie. Leepson, who lives in Middleburg, will tell the story of the little-known but crucial Civil War Battle of Monocacy, which took place on July 9, 1864, outside Frederick, Maryland, and Confederate General Jubal Early's subsequent march on Washington, D.C.

"Monocacy is known as 'The Battle that Saved Washington' with good reason," Leepson said. "If Union General Lew Wallace--who later wrote Ben Hur--had not held Early up for an entire day at Monocacy, which is just 40 miles from Washington, the Confederates very likely would have invaded the nation's capital at a very important point in the war.

“And there's no telling how that would have had an impact on the conclusion of the Civil War," he concluded.

Leepson will sign books following the talk, which is a fundraising event for the Mosby Heritage Area Association. Funds raised by the book signing will allow the Middleburg-based organization to continue its work to educate, and advocate for the preservation of the historic, cultural and scenic resources in the Northern Virginia Piedmont.

For more information and to make reservations, please call 540-687-6681 or email info@mosbyheritagearea.org,

A Ten Year Tradition
October will mark the 10th anniversary of the Mosby Heritage Area Association’s sponsorship of the Conference on the Art of Command in the Civil War.  The conference has become very popular with those interested in the study of the Civil War bringing participants from all over the United States to Middleburg for the weekend. This year’s conference will be held on the weekend of October 12-14, 2007 at the Middleburg Community Center. 

The focus of this year’s conference will be August 28-30, 1862; The Second Battle of Manassas.  Nationally known authors and historians will present nine lectures and guide a bus tour of the Second Manassas Battlefield.  Peter Carmichael, Gary Ecelbarger, Clark Hall, John Hennessy, Kim Holden, Scott Patchan, William Styple, Jeffry Wert are this year’s speakers.

The conference begins with two lectures and a reception on Friday evening. 

Six lectures and a panel discussion with the speakers are scheduled for Saturday.  Participants also have the opportunity to visit an on-site book shop featuring books written by the speakers, other Civil War publications, and even rare editions of historic texts.  Speakers will sign copies of their books, either those purchased at the conference or ones brought by participants from their libraries.

On Saturday evening participants meet at the American Legion Building for dinner catered by the Red Fox Inn.  John J. Hennessy will speak on “Mac’s Man: Fitz John Porter and the Conservative Patriots View of the War” following the meal. 

Sunday the conference moves from Middleburg to Manassas where participants will have a day-long guided tour of the Second Manassas Battlefield.

Registration information can be obtained by calling the Mosby Heritage Area Association at 540-687-6681 or 540-687-4195.  Visit www.mosbyheritagearea.org go to the ‘Events Page’ and click on the registration form link at the bottom of the article on the conference.  Lunches for Saturday and Sunday catered by Back Street Catering and dinner are included in the registration fee.  Walk-ins are welcomed for both the Friday and Saturday lectures.  

New At The Store
Our featured item for September is the baseball-style cap with the distinctive Mosby logo. The early Fall sun is still strong. Protect you and your family members with our cotton baseball hat. We have them in green, blue and black. You may pay online.  Click here to order: http://www.mosbyheritagearea.org/store.htm

Call For Volunteers
With a wide range of sponsored events covering a large geographical area, the MHAA relies on volunteers to successfully complete its many commitments. If you would like to volunteer to work along side writers, scholars, reenacters and historians please contact us at info@mosbyheritagearea.org.