Goochland Historical Society
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Announcements
A PAPER BRIDGE BOOK TALK
Where did they go? And when? And why?
At the beginning of the 20th century, with the introduction of Jim Crow laws throughout the south that targeted recently emancipated Blacks, a great migration began as hundreds of thousands of Blacks moved north seeking opportunity and prosperity.
One such family came from the Perkinsville community straddling, the Goochland/Louisa County line. “A Paper Bridge: Love Letters from the Great Migration” — a book based on the love letters between Herbert Gordon Cosby and his wife Jannie Ellis Cosby gives a compelling narrative of the challenges faced by one couple caught up in that mass movement.
Author Dr. Wanda Alderman, an urban sociologist in Washington DC has curated these letters and will speak to a joint meeting of the Goochland and Louisa County Historical Societies on Sunday, November 16 at 2 PM at St. Mark Baptist Church, 4596 Factory Mill Rd, Maidens.
Dr, Alderman is the great-great-granddaughter of William and Nancy Ellis of Goochland, the great granddaughter of Calvin and Virginia Ellis of Louisa, and the granddaughter of Herbert and Janie Cosby of the love letters.
A reception and book signing will follow Dr. Alderman’s talk. Please join us for an important and informative talk about this epochal change in America’s development.
2ND ANNUAL RUN TO THE REVOLUTION
Join the GVA 250th Commission and the Goochland County Historical Society at 9:00 am on October 4, 2025 at Elk Hill Farm, 1975 Elk Hill Road, Goochland, VA 23063 for the 2nd Annual Run to the Revolution. Sign up online for the race or just come out and cheer on the runners.
ST. MARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND CEMETERY HISTORY WALK
The Society’s popular History Walk series resumes Saturday, October 18 at 3 PM at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 12291 River Rd, Richmond.
The white frame church in the east end of the county near the Henrico County line at Tuckahoe Creek, was built in 1877 as a mission church to local farmers and coal miners. For almost 75 years the congregation struggled to survive with lay readers and part-time clergy. Steady growth began in 1960s when they called their first full-time rector, the Reverend Holt Souder. A large new sanctuary was added in 1991 and this year they called their fifth rector, the Reverend Daniel Reeves who was officially installed on September 23.
A reception will be held following an informal talk by long-time member Robin Lind and a tour of the old and new buildings which embrace the cemetery and Churchyard.
BOOK TALK WITH FRANCIS GARY POWERS JR
We are thrilled to invite you to an extraordinary afternoon at the Charles Luck Stone Center, located at 343 River Road West, Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, 23103, on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 3:30 pm. Join us for an enlightening presentation by Francis Gary Powers, Jr., as he unveils his latest literary work, “Spy Pilot,” which delves into the fascinating and pivotal U2 Spy Plane Incident of 1960 involving his father, Francis Gary Powers. This event promises to be not only insightful but also a unique opportunity to engage with history through the eyes of someone who carries this legacy. Following the presentation, we invite you to enjoy a delightful reception where you can meet the author and have your copy signed, fostering a sense of community and connection among all attendees. Don’t miss this chance to be part of an inspiring afternoon that celebrates history, storytelling, and the power of personal narrative.
GOOCHLAND COUNTY HISTORIC MAP VIEWER NOW AVAILABLE
Goochland County is excited to announce the creation of the Historic Map Viewer. This interactive map allows users to view maps of the County dating as far back as 1820.
This initiative is the result of a public-private partnership between the Goochland County Geographic Information System (GIS) Department and the Goochland County Historical Society.
The Historic Map Viewer enables users to overlay the current online digital mapping system with historic maps from 1820, 1863, 1880, 1919, and 1932 when county roads were taken over by the Virginia Department of highways.
The Historic Map Viewer can be found on the County’s website at: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/7a02b5e7baed41529e9b4e5abd4e62e1/.
