Dear VA-HISTers, I would like to invite you to the next in the Library of Virginia's noontime lecture series. On Thursday, September 30, 2004, at noon, author Melvin Patrick Ely will present a talk on his 2004 book Israel on the Appomattox: A Southern Experiment in Black Freedom published by Knopf. After his talk he will sign copies of his book in the lobby. Dr. Ely, a native of Richmond, Virginia, is professor of History and Black Studies at the College of William and Mary. He is the author of The Adventures of Amos 'n' Andy: A Social History of an American Phenomenon. Based on extensive use of county records, Israel on the Appomattox tells the story of several generations of free blacks living at Israel Hill in Prince Edward County. Richard Randolph created the original community by emancipating his slaves in his 1796 will and giving 400 acres of his land to the freedmen. The course of their lives and interactions with white and black neighbors challenges many assumptions about antebellum black life and Virginia society. We have a full and interesting line-up of talks and lectures this fall and you can access the schedule of events for the Library by clicking on "News and Events" at: http://www.lva.lib.va.us. The Library of Virginia is located at 800 East Broad Street in downtown Richmond. For more information on visiting the Library. go to "Who We Are," and then "Vistitor's Guide" from the website. Gregg Kimball Gregg D. Kimball Director of Publications and Educational Services Library of Virginia 804/692-3722 [log in to unmask] Support the Library of Virginia <https://www.vipnet.org/lov/donation.cgi> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html