HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2011-06-03 Civil War Trails sign
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
New Civil War Trails Sign At Leesburg’s Glenfiddich House
To Be Dedicated On Saturday, June 11, 2011
Sign commemorates historic meeting with General Robert E. Lee and his
generals in September 1962 before the Battle of Antietam
Leesburg, VA (June 3, 2011) – At 10:00 a.m.,
on Saturday, June 11, 2011, Town of Leesburg
officials will hold a dedication and ribbon
cutting ceremony for a new Civil Wars Trail
sign located at 205 North King Street in front
of the Glenfiddich House in historic
downtown Leesburg. Mayor Kristen C.
Umstattd will officiate.
Known as “Harrison Hall” during the Civil
War, the Glenfiddich House served as the site
of a critical meeting between Robert E. Lee
and his generals on September 5, 1862, on
the way to what would become known as the Battle of Antietam (also known as the Battle of
Sharpsburg). The new interpretive sign tells the story of Lee’s meeting and of the welcome he
and his army received upon entering the town named for his ancestors over 100 years earlier.
Co-sponsored by Glenfiddich House owners David & Melanie Miles and the Loudoun Civil War
Sesquicentennial Committee, the June 11th program, entitled “Lee Comes to Leesburg: The
Meeting of the Generals at Harrison Hall”, will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a tour of the main floor
of Harrison Hall led by costumed interpreters. The tour will include the room where Lee met
with his generals – Jackson, Stuart and Longstreet. At 10:00 a.m., local Civil War historian Jim
Morgan will make a brief presentation, followed by the sign dedication ceremony in front of the
house.
Additional activities will include a walking tour of Historic Downtown Leesburg led by Rich
Gillespie, the Director of Education for the Mosby Heritage Area Association, presentations and
autograph sessions with local Civil War authors, and the opportunity to purchase Civil War
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themed art and memorabilia from local merchants. The Thomas Balch Library, located at 208
West Market Street, will exhibit some of their Civil War manuscripts throughout the day. All
activities are free and open to the public.
"The meeting of Robert E. Lee with his generals at Harrison Hall is one of the most important
events to take place in Leesburg – or anywhere – during the Civil War," said Tracy J. Gillespie, a
member of the Loudoun Civil War Sesquicentennial Steering Committee. "It was at that
meeting right here in Leesburg that the plan to invade Maryland was conceived. As we know,
that plan resulted in the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest day in American history. At the event
on June 11th, we'll gather at the Glenfiddich House to commemorate not only the historic
meeting of the Confederate generals, but also to remember all soldiers on both sides of the
conflict who fought and died."
For more information, please contact Melanie Miles at mmiles@mileslehane.com or Tracy J.
Gillespie at tgillespie@nvrpa.org.
Contact:
Debi Parry
Business Retention Coordinator
dparry@leesburgva.gov
703-737-7023
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