Dear List Members,
 
I hope you will take advantage of several fascinating noontime lectures
that will occur over the next several weeks here at the Library of
Virginia.  This Thursday, June 23, 2005, Mark Greenough will present a
talk entitled " 'An Object and Proof of National Good Taste': Virginia's
Capitol Considered as Civic Museum."  This presentation is one of a
series in conjunction with the exhibition "Virginia Collects: Art from
Capitol Square," on view now at the Library.  Mark Greenough will
discuss the use of Jefferson's Capitol as a fine arts museum and civic
classroom over the last two centuries and discuss visits to this living
landmark by international, national, and state dignitaries, as well as
everyday tourists from around the globe.  Mr. Greenough is especially
well-suited to deliver this presentation.  He is currently Tour
Supervisor and Historian at the State Capitol and many of you probably
know his work as a co-founder and director of Living History Associates,
Ltd., established in 1986.  As an added bonus, the book accompanying the
exhibition, "A Capital Collection: Virginia's Artistic Inheritance," is
now available in the newly renovated Virginia Shop at the Library of
Virginia.   
 
Next Monday, June 27, 2005, Patricia Brady will present and sign her new
book "Martha Washington: An American Life."  In fact, this is her first
public appearance on this brand new title from Viking.  Dr. Brady
dispels the myth of a frumpy Martha Washington, and uncovers a
delightful, intelligent, strong-minded woman who was passionate about
her family and home, and the absolute mainstay of her husband's life.
When she met George Washington, Martha Custis was a wealthy,
good-looking widow and the mother of two young children.  In fact, she
was the marital prize, not him.  In 1759, when she began a new life as
Martha Washington, she also started one of our country's most
influential partnerships, enduring for more than forty years.  In this
superb new biography, Patricia Brady finally gives the first First Lady
her due.  Dr. Brady served for twenty years as director of publications
at the Historic New Orleans Collection, is the editor of several books
on Nelly Custis Lewis (Martha Washington's granddaughter), and has
published many articles on southern history. "Martha Washington: An
American Life" is also available in the Virginia Shop. 
 
The end of the month brings historian and author Peter S. Carmichael to
the Library of Virginia on Thursday, June 30, 2005, to discuss and sign
his book "The Last Generation: Young Virginians in Peace, War, and
Reunion," published by the University of North Carolina Press.
Challenging the popular conception of Southern youth on the eve of the
Civil War as intellectually lazy, violent, and dissipated, Dr.
Carmichael looks closely at the lives of more than one hundred young
white men from Virginia's last generation to grow up with the
institution of slavery. He finds them deeply engaged in the political,
economic, and cultural forces of their time. Before the Civil War, these
young men thought long and hard about Virginia's place as a progressive
slave society. They vigorously lobbied for disunion despite opposition
from their elders, then served as officers in the Army of Northern
Virginia. After the war, however, they quickly shed their Confederate
radicalism to pursue the political goals of home rule and New South
economic development and reconciliation. Not until the turn of the
century, when these men were nearing the ends of their lives, did the
mythmaking and storytelling begin, and members of the last generation
recast themselves once more as unreconstructed Rebels.  Peter S.
Carmichael is assistant professor of history at the University of North
Carolina at Greensboro. His previous books include Lee's Young
Artillerist: William R. J. Pegram and, Audacity Personified: The
Generalship of Robert E. Lee.  "The Last Generation" can be purchased in
the Virginia Shop.  
 
Finally, look for forthcoming announcements in the coming weeks for
several interesting July events including our own Tracy Kamerer's
lecture on the Capitol Square art and Marc Leepson's talk and signing
for his new book, "Flag: An American Biography." You can access a full
listing of events here at the Library by clicking on "News and Events"
at: http://www.lva.lib.va.us <http://www.lva.lib.va.us/> .

 
Gregg D. Kimball, Director
Publications and Educational Services
804/692-3722
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