Warner Hall is Topic for Gloucester Genealogy Meeting The Gloucester Genealogical Society of Virginia will meet Monday, May 23, at 10 AM. The meeting will take place at the Abingdon Episcopal Church Parish House on George Washington Memorial Highway (Route 17) in Gloucester. The meeting is free and open to the public. A program will be presented by David Brown, archaeologist and author, with the Fairfield Foundation. He will talk about the Warner Hall plantation here in Gloucester County and a new book describing the place and people that have occupied the dwelling. Warner Hall plantation is a well-known Gloucester landmark, known for its grand architecture, generous hospitality, and storied history. Now a new book chronicles its place in Gloucester's history and uncovers fascinating details of the many families who have called it home. "Warner Hall: Story of a Great Plantation" by archaeologists David Brown and Thane Harpole, weaves together stories of the Warner and Lewis families and their successors who built and occupied Warner Hall with findings from recent archaeological excavations to better understand and interpret this important property. The Warners and Lewises were preeminent Virginia families, counting among their descendants George Washington, Robert E. Lee, and Queen Elizabeth II. First patented in 1642, Warner Hall was one of Gloucester's largest plantations, and witnessed important events from the ransacking of Bacon's Rebellion to the arrival of Union troops in the Civil War. Based on extensive research into existing public records and family collections, along with a detailed archaeological survey and excavations of the property, the book serves as an introduction to the complex world of a great Virginia plantation. It is illustrated with numerous color photographs and graphics. David Brown will give a first hand description of their research and discovery as it relates to genealogy and archaeology. A short business meeting will precede the program and light refreshments will follow. Members are encouraged to bring guests. Society publications as well as the Warner Hall book will be available for purchase. The June 2005 edition of the Society's Family Tree Searcher journal will be distributed free to members. You may contact Roger Davis at 804-642-5280 or [log in to unmask] for additional information. Nadine Tatum Vice-President, GGSV To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html