As Part of City’s Special 1862 Civil War Day Commemoration, Virginia’s Civil War HistoryMobile coming to Falls Church opens at 10 a.m.

 

- Tractor-trailer ‘museum on wheels’  is filled with interactive exhibits and activities –

This 150th anniversary of the Civil War in Virginia, the City will have a wide variety of re-enactors including an encampment of Union Soldiers and citizens representing villagers and trades common at the time.  Visitors will hear period music, see period play scenes from “The Escape”, and children will enjoy crafts and games of the Civil War era, and boxed lunches are available for purchase. Making this year even more special representing the year 1862, the Falls Church Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee has procured the much-in-demand Civil War HistoryMobile. Additionally,  professional performers from The Georgetown Theatre Company will perform scenes from the first play published by an African American written about life on the plantation from the slaves perspective . Come see, listen, and speak to the re-enactors to learn what it was like to live in Falls Church during the Civil War.

And more Virginia history is on its way, in an 18-wheeler “museum on wheels” as the Civil War 150 HistoryMobile rolls into the City of Falls Church for Civil War Day this Saturday, May 19th for a one-day visit. The exhibit, an initiative of the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, will be located at Park Avenue near the Civil War Day site at Historic Cherry Hill Farmhouse and Barn will be open beginning at 10 a.m. Admission to the HistoryMobile is free.

The expandable 78-foot tractor-trailer contains a high-tech immersive experience detailing Virginia’s incomparable place in history. The HistoryMobile draws together stories from all over Virginia and uses state-of-the-art technology and immersive exhibit spaces to present individual stories of the Civil War and Emancipation from the viewpoints of those who experienced it—young and old, enslaved and free, soldiers and civilians.

Visitors will encounter history in ways they may have never seen. The HistoryMobile exhibit is divided into four sections: Battlefront, Homefront, Journey to Freedom, and Loss-Gain-Legacy. From the emotional letter written by a dying son to his father after sustaining a mortal wound at Spotsylvania in 1864, to an overheard conversation between husband and wife considering the great risks and rewards of fleeing to freedom, the HistoryMobile presents the stories of real people whose lives were shaped by the historic events of the 1860s and invites visitors to imagine and consider, “What Would You Do?”

The Civil War 150 HistoryMobile visits museums, schools, state and federal parks, fairs, and other sites. Its four-year tour began in July 2011, and it has received widespread praise as it travels throughout Virginia and beyond. In 2011 there were more than 20 scheduled stops and a dedicated two-week tour of Southwest Virginia, and there are over 30 scheduled events in 2012.

The exhibits were designed through a partnership between the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, the Virginia Historical Society, and the Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania National Battlefields Park. The HistoryMobile is also supported by the Virginia Tourism Corporation, through which visitors can obtain information on visiting Virginia Civil War sites at the exhibit, as well as by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

The Falls Church Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee is proud to present a wide representation of Civil War re-enactors who represent Union and Confederate soldiers and several trades and civilians who lived in that period.  This year’s plans include:  boxed lunches that will be available for purchase;  special live period music which will be performed and  professional performers from the Georgetown Theatre Company will present scenes from the 1858 adventure play, ” The Escape, or A Leap For Freedom“, by noted abolitionist and escaped slave William Wells Brown.  The show is directed by Kenny Littlejohn.  The first play published by an African American, this action-packed melodrama shows plantation life from the perspective of enslaved blacks.  Scenes will be presented at 11 a.m., 12 noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m.  Admission is free.  Come to Historic Cherry Hill House and Farm, 312 Park Avenue in the City of Falls Curch. The Georgetown Theatre Company is made possible by the Falls Church Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, and the sponsorship of Falls Church Antique Center and Natalia’s Elegant Creations.  The City is grateful to the Georgetown Theatre Company for bringing this special period play to the City of Falls Church for the 150 year commemoration of the Civil War in Falls Church, Virginia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marie Hirst Yochim, Memorial Service at 11 a.m. Saturday April 28th

 

Marie Hirst Yochim, age 92 of 7314 Hughes Court, Falls Church died Thursday, April 19th at Virginia Hospital Center.  Marie was born February 3, 1920 in Washington, D.C. to her parents Herbert Hirst and Ella Mankin.  Marie lived her life in the City of Falls Church and attended and graduated from Madison Elementary and Jefferson Institute.  She attended Strayer College. Her husband Eldred, died at the age of 101 in 2006.  Marie, one of Falls Church’s most venerable citizens was a 12th generation Virginian and a 10th generation Falls Churchan.

Marie was a very active Falls Church citizen and her love of country, its history and Falls Church permeated most of her life.  Mrs. Yochim was the 35th President of the Daughters of the American Revolution, serving in the national leadership position from 1989 -1992.  She joined the Falls Church Chapter of the D.A.R. in 1953 and became the Virginia State Regent.  After her active service she was named Honorary President General.  She was a George Washington Fellow and major contributor to the Center for Advancing America’s Heritage.  Her family ancestry in Falls Church goes back to the first settlement at Big Chimney (1699).  Her nephew Melvin Steadman’s book, Falls Church, By Fence and Fireside, is the prime source for much of the City’s history.  Given her extensive knowledge of the City’s history, Marie was interviewed at various historic sites in the City for the FCCTV series CITY WALKS.  The first episode with Marie and Dave Eckert will be aired on FCCTV at 2 pm Friday and Saturday this week and again on Sunday at noon.

The viewing and service will be held at the Columbia Baptist Church, 103 West Columbia Street, Falls Church, VA. (703-534-5700).  The viewing is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 27, 2012.  Services will be at the Columbia Baptist Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday April 28, 2012.  Following the service, burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Falls Church.

SATURDAY, 4/14: Frady Park Beautification

Drinks and donuts for free + good times in beautifying this volunteer park in the City of Falls Church!

Frady Park is in the height of its spring glory.  If you volunteer on April 14th, you can view some of the beautiful blooms of the over 5,000 bulbs that have been planted in the last two years.  Volunteer for an hour or so in this beautiful park, we need helping hands any time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

We will have gloves, tools and drinks and snacks for everyone. We will be pruning and planting flowers, raking, trimming, and assorted gardening efforts.  There will be supervision of kids at playground on site.  Of course, if you have your own rakes and gloves please bring them, so there is plenty for everyone.

Please let us know if you can come, contact Barb Cram at greenscap@aol.com.

THURSDAY, 2/23: Eat Pancakes, Support Library

In recognition of Library Lovers’ Month, the Original Pancake House has designated Thursday, February 23 as Charity Day for the Mary Riley Styles Public Library.  The  Pancake House is located at 7395 Lee Hwy., Falls Church.

On Feb. 23, 15% of the restaurant’s gross sales will be donated to the Library to help fund additional books, DVDs, audio-books and other items that will be used by the public.