HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2011-03-16 Civil War 150 document scanning event
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
Thomas Balch Library to Host Civil War 150 Legacy Project
Document Scanning Event on April 9, 2011
Residents are invited to bring family manuscripts to be scanned, preserving
them for future generations
Leesburg, VA (March 16, 2011) – The Loudoun County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee,
in partnership with Thomas Balch Library of History & Genealogy, is offering an event on
Saturday, April 9, 2011, at which Town and County residents may have their family manuscripts
from the Civil War era scanned for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
The scanning event is part of the Civil War 150 Legacy Project: Document Digitization and
Access, created by the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission and the
Library of Virginia. These two organizations have partnered to create a statewide online
collection of original Civil War-era manuscripts that still remain in private hands. Items may
include diaries, letters, reminiscences, damage claims, sketches, photographs, and other
printed materials. The Civil War 150 Legacy Project: Document Digitization and Access focuses
on manuscript materials created during the period 1859-1867 that reflect social, political,
military, business and religious life in Virginia during the period of the Civil War and the early
period of Reconstruction. Citizens are encouraged to bring original family materials to be
scanned and included in the Project. Scanned materials will be made available on the web via
the Library of Virginia web site and the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War
Commission web site.
Civil War 150 Legacy Project staff will be visiting Loudoun County on Saturday, April 9, 2011.
The event will take place from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Thomas Balch Library of History and
Genealogy, located at 208 West Market Street in Leesburg. Appointments are strongly
recommended, as only a limited number of walk-ins may be accommodated. Appointments
may be scheduled by contacting Tracy Gillespie at 703-327-9777 or by e-mail at
tgillespie@nvrpa.org.
About the Loudoun County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee: The Loudoun County
Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Committee was established by the Loudoun Board of
Supervisors on December 2, 2008 to coordinate the commemoration of the American Civil War in
Loudoun County and to participate in the Commonwealth of Virginia’s state-wide efforts to remember
all who lived, fought and died during this defining time in our American history, resulting in an inclusive,
positive legacy and long-term benefit for residents of and visitors to Loudoun County.
TOL PR 2011-03-16 Civil War 150 document scanning event
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About the Civil War 150 Legacy Project: The Civil War 150 Legacy Project is a multi-year initiative to
locate, digitize and provide world-wide access to the private documentary heritage of the American Civil
War era located throughout Virginia. Working with local Sesquicentennial Committees already
established by the Virginia Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission and through a partnership with the
Library of Virginia and a network of statewide connections, the Civil War 150 Legacy Project will provide
individuals an opportunity to have their historic letters, diaries and other collections scanned to
preserve their valuable intellectual content.
About the Library of Virginia: The Library of Virginia (www.lva.virginia.gov), located in Richmond, holds
the world’s most extensive collection of material about the Old Dominion and has been a steward of the
Commonwealth’s documentary and printed heritage since 1823. The Library holds nearly 113 million
manuscripts and more than 1.9 million books, serials, bound periodicals, and other documents.
About the Thomas Balch Library: The Thomas Balch Library is a history and genealogy library owned
and operated by the Town Of Leesburg. The Library holds collections focusing on Loudoun County,
regional and Virginia history, genealogy, ethnic history and military history with special emphasis on the
American Civil War and is a designated Underground Railroad research site. The Thomas Balch Library
hosts lecture series, classes on research strategies, exhibits and tours and operate a small bookstore of
local and regional history and genealogy materials. For more information, please visit
www.leesburgva.gov/library.
Contact:
Tracy Gillespie
Loudoun County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee
703-327-9777
tgillespie@nvrpa.org
Alexandra S. Gressitt
Director, Thomas Balch Library
703-737-7095
agressitt@leesburgva.gov
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