HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2017-05-12 Johnston tour
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
May 12, 2017
Media Contact:
Betsy Arnett, Public Information Officer
barnett@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734
Thomas Balch Library Offers Free Walking Tour on Saturday,
May 20, 2017
Tour highlights places in downtown Leesburg associated with the Johnston
family.
Leesburg, VA (May 12, 2017) – On Saturday, May
20, at 10:00 a.m., Thomas Balch Library archivist
Ben Tayloe will lead a free walking tour of
downtown Leesburg, focusing on the homes and
businesses assocated with the Johnston family.
The tour will begin and end at the Thomas Balch
Library (208 West Market Street) and will last
approximately two hours.
Donated to the Thomas Balch Library in 2010, the
Charles A. Johnston Collection contains family
papers and artifacts of the Johnston family of Leesburg and many of their closest personal and
business acquaintances. It is the most diverse collection held by the library, incorporating
manuscript materials, rare books, photographs, film and memorabilia. This collection, full of
everyday items and individual stories, offers a view of life in Leesburg and Loudoun County
from the late 1700s through the 20th century.
Ben Tayloe, Project Archivist of The Charles A. Johnston Collection at Thomas Balch Library, has
historic preservation experience in both the private and public sectors. For the past three years,
he has been cataloging and processing the Johnston collection to make it accessible to
researchers.
For people who are unable to attend on May 20, the tour can be self-guided. Tour guide
booklets are available for free at the library for visitors who would like to learn about the
Johnston family while exploring historic downtown Leesburg.
For more information, visit www.leesburgva.gov/thomasbalchlibrary.
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