Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission

August 11, 2010

Speaker Howell called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance.

Sesquicentennial Tourism Marketing Grant Program

Steve Galyean, Virginia Tourism Corporation
Mr. Galyean noted that the third round of grants to support local sesquicentennial endeavors yielded 11 applications, five of which staff recommended be awarded. Grant applications not recommended for funding were deficient either technically (not completing the application as required) or substantively (lack of compelling message or program).

The following programs were recommended for an award:

• Montgomery County Sesquicentennial Committee/Radford Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee
  "Civil War Trails Interpretive Sites in the Town of Blacksburg and City of Radford"
• Arlington County Sesquicentennial Committee "Arlington Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Travel Package"
• Chesterfield Sesquicentennial Committee
  "Chesterfield County Sesquicentennial Legacy Project"
• Augusta-Staunton-Waynesboro Sesquicentennial Committee/Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation (regional)
  "Community at War: Augusta County, Staunton, and Waynesboro during the Civil War Interpretive Kiosk"
• Williamsburg-York-James City County Sesquicentennial Committee/Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance (regional)
  "Williamsburg Civil War Sesquicentennial Website"

The grant recommendations were considered in a block. A motion passed unanimously that the block be approved as presented. Mr. Galyean recommended that the next round of grants open in late September and close in early November, and the Executive Committee concurred. Staff will continue to work with local representatives to explain the grant application and process.

Staff Update

Awards for "Virginia in the Civil War: A Sesquicentennial Remembrance"

Ms. Jackson announced that the DVD produced by Dr. Robertson and Blue Ridge Public Television was nominated for a 2010 Emmy Award in the category of informational instructional programming. It won two Telly Awards, which recognize excellence in public television, in the categories of "education/academic use" and "history/biography."

2010 Signature Conference (NSU): "Race, Slavery and the Civil War: The Tough Stuff of American History and Memory"

Staff reviewed the schedule for the 2010 Signature Conference, to be held Friday, September 24 at Norfolk State University, and noted that registration is filled and that C-SPAN has confirmed that they will cover the conference. Members discussed the lineup of panelists and logistics of the program.

2011 Signature Conference (Virginia Tech): "American Military Strategy in the Civil War"

Planning for the 2011 Signature Conference at Virginia Tech is well underway. Dr. Robertson will chair the conference, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 2011. Members discussed whether to begin charging admission for the conferences, which has several benefits. After lengthy discussion, the Executive Committee agreed that charging an admission fee for ensuing Signature Conferences is appropriate. Admission for the Virginia Tech conference will be $12.00/person for the conference or $20.00/person for the conference plus lunch.

Logo Requests Approved and Pending

Ms. Jackson presented a list of applications to affix the Commission’s logo that have been pre-approved by staff. The list includes the following:

• Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation (Newsletter, brochures)
• Sully Historic Site (Correspondence)
• Lancaster County Sesquicentennial Committee (News article)
• Town of Occoquan (Flyers, brochure)
• Museum of the Confederacy (Lecture, signage)

A motion passed unanimously that staff recommendations for approval of logo applications be given final approval by the Executive Committee.

"Walk in Their Footsteps" Database

Staff demonstrated the "Walk in Their Footsteps" database, an interactive research portal that provides regimental history information for Civil War battles fought in Virginia, enabling users to learn more about battles in which their ancestors' regiments were engaged. In addition to providing rich layers of information about each regiment that fought in Virginia and battle detail, the database allows users to plot a "Battle Plan" itinerary of travel to these sites throughout the state.

Members praised the database and directed staff to (i) work with Virginia Tourism Corporation in promoting "Walk in Their Footsteps" and (ii) explore developing the database for mobile devices once it is complete.

Next Meeting

The next meeting date will be posted on the Commission's website and the General Assembly website as soon as information is available.

Chairman:
The Hon. William J. Howell

For information, contact:
Cheryl Jackson, Michele Howell, DLS Staff