Goochland Historical Society
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Announcements
LAFAYETTE’S RETURN
This year marks the 200th anniversary of General Lafayette’s return visit to the United States, at the invitation of President James Monroe. As the last surviving Major General of the Continental Army in the American Revolution, Lafayette was esteemed by the American people. As he traveled across America, localities rolled out the red carpet. On November 2, 1824, the Henrico Militia escorted General Lafayette to Powell’s Tavern in Goochland, beginning his trip through the county. Join the Goochland 250 Commission and the Goochland County Historical Society (GCHS) to experience that visit. The General will be on hand to address attendees who will enjoy a brunch featuring some of his favorite foods, view the grounds of Historic Tuckahoe, and raise a glass to toast the famous man. The event will be very much like that which took place at nearby Powell’s Tavern 200 years ago, so mark your calendar for November 2, 2024 and plan to step back in history.
If you are interested in history, join us on November 2, 2024, 10:00 am to noon at Historic Tuckahoe, 12601 River Road, Richmond, VA 23238. The event is $40.00 per person. To sign up for the event click here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/general-lafayettes-return-tickets-1041017660847
FALL MEETING
Please join us on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Goochland Baptist Church for our fall meeting. Our speaker will be Christian Di Spigna, a well-known writer based in New York and Virginia. A volunteer at Colonial Williamsburg, Di Spigna is recognized as an expert on the history of the American Revolutionary era, a dedicated researcher of early American history, and a detailed storyteller, capable of bringing his topics to life in a memorable way. His presentation will introduce us to Revolutionary War patriot Dr. Joseph Warren. His book Founding Martyr: The Life and Death of Dr. Joseph Warren, the American Revolution’s Lost Hero is an illuminating biography of the patriot physician and Major General who fomented rebellion and died heroically at the battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. Until Di Spigna’s book, little was known about this influential Boston architect of the rebellion. With the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Christian Di Spigna is much in demand. The GCHS is pleased to have him present at our fall meeting.
The program begins at 3:00 pm, with refreshments following. The church is located at 2454 Manakin Road, Manakin-Sabot, 23103.
2024 CEMETERY BOOK IS HERE
The fourth edition of our popular Gravesites and Cemeteries in Goochland County, Virginia has arrived from the printers. The 4th edition of Gravesites and Cemeteries of Goochland County, Virginia is at the printer. This new edition contains 485 new names, as well as nine new family cemeteries; these additions bring the total number of names to around 9,600 and the total number of cemeteries and gravesites to 370. GCHS Vice-President Richard Toler has overseen the development of the guide. Over the years, the various editions of Gravesites and Cemeteries of Goochland County, Virginia have been consistent best sellers in the GCHS gift shop. Cost is $35.00 plus shipping.
SPRING MEETING WITH KENNETH BRANHAM
Join us at Dover Baptist church, 635 Manakin Rd., Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103, on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 3:00 pm for an afternoon with former Monacan Tribal Chief Kenneth Branham. He will be featuring a talk on the history of the Monacan Indian Nation in Virginia. A reception will follow.
SPRING LECTURE WITH PAT GARBER
Join the Goochland County Historical Society at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at the Goochland Branch of the Pamunkey Regional Library to hear local author Pat Garber give a presentation about Operation Drumroll: World War II on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
In December of 1941, after the attack on Pear Harbor, Adolph Hitler declared war on the United States. Soon thereafter, German Submarine Admiral Karl Doenitz put into action a plan to close off the shipping of good along the east coast, a plan he called “Paukenschlag”, translated as “Drumroll”. German submarines, known more often as “U-boats” were sent to blow up freight ships traveling along the coast of North Carolina. The United States government, in an effort to prevent panic, kept the attacks secret from most Americans. The residents who lived on Ocracoke Island, southernmost of the Outer Banks, were very much aware, however, of the war that had landed on their shores and of the highly classified Naval base that was commissioned there in October of 1942 to protect their coast, which came to be known as Torpedo Alley.
The slide presentation will depict, often in the words of the people who were there, what happened in those dark days.
