FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2011
Contact: Jeanne Bollendorf, Chair
Southwest Virginia Regional Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee
-Civil War 150th Anniversary Symposium-
RAILROADS, RAIDS & RUIN: Laying the tracks of destruction in Virginia's Civil War
(ROANOKE, VA)- On April 9, 2011, join the Southwest Virginia Regional Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee for RAILROADS, RAIDS & RUIN: Laying the tracks of destruction in Virginia's Civil War. This one-day event features six guest speakers: Professor Peter Coogan, Dr. James I. "Bud" Robertson, Chris Calkins, Clark B. Hall, Eric Wittenberg, and Gordon Hamilton. Each speaker will discuss the important role that railroads played in military strategy. The symposium takes place at Hollins University, Dana Science Building (Babcock Auditorium), from 8am - 4pm. Cost: $45/person. Please RSVP by March 28, 2011. Lunch is not included in the ticket price, but is available in Moody Hall. There will be a post-symposium cash bar reception at Holiday Inn Valley View to meet our speakers.
Holiday Inn Valley View is the official hotel sponsor for the Southwestern Virginia Regional Civil War 150th Committee.
About the Southwest Virginia Regional Civil War Sesquicentennial
The 150th anniversary of the Civil War holds tremendous educational, economic, and tourism opportunities throughout the Commonwealth. Not only was Virginia the central focus of the Civil War in the 1860s, but it is still at the center today because of what visitors can see and experience here. Museums, municipalities, tourism offices, and other cultural attractions have joined forces and created a regional committee to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War in Virginia. Groups from the counties of Botetourt, Franklin, and Roanoke, along with the cities of Roanoke and Salem are partners in the commemoration of this very significant anniversary.
The committee looks to encourage civic, historical, educational, economic, and other organizations throughout Southwest Virginia to organize and participate in activities to expand the understanding and appreciation of the significance of the American Civil War. Special events are planned from 2011 to 2015. For more information about the Committee and future events, please visit http://southwestva150.wordpress.com/
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