Ongoing Events & News

ACHS is Closed
Friday, July 3rd
Saturday, July 4th

New Book For Sale
The Canal on the James: An Illustrated Guide to the James River and Kanawha Canal


T. Gibson Hobbs, Jr.
Complied by Nancy Blackwell Marion

Softbound $25, members $23.75
Hardback $40, members $38.00

Add 5% Virginia Sales Tax

New Website Launch Coming in July
Please pardon our "dust" (broken links, etc.)
as we convert this site to a brand new design.

ACHS Court Square Walking Tours
10am Saturdays and 5:30pm Thursdays.
Meet at the Historical Society (200 Second St, NE).
Suggested donation: $5 a person.
On the 3rd Saturday morning of each month we offer a Tour of the Downtown Mall.
Tours of the African American Starr Hill neighborhood are given by request.

Contact Us:
Ask the Historical Society: info@albemarlehistory.org

Staff:
Steven G. Meeks, President: president[at]albemarlehistory.org
phone: (434) 296-1492

Margaret M. O'Bryant, Librarian, Head of Reference Resources: library[at]albemarlehistory.org
phone: (434) 296-7294

Keri Matthews, Communications and Collections Manager:
collections[at]albemarlehistory.org
phone: (434) 296-1492

Susanna Klosko, Administrative Assistant
admin[at]albemarlehistory.org
phone: (434) 296-1492

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (Library only)

Historical Society Events

Update on the Hatton Ferry
Sunday, June 28th, marked the last day of VDOT funding for the operation of the Hatton Ferry. It was a busy day ferrying over 200 people across the river along with 30 cars and a couple of dozen of motorcycles. Even the ACHS President was called into service to pole the ferry all the way across the mighty James River to give the ferry operators a break - Ashley Pillar, his father Harold and nephew Matthew. Travis L. Clements (Staunton, VA) has the distinction of having the last car to cross on the ferry (pictured). Jurretta J. Heckscher (Library of Congress) had the distinction of being the last passenger to ride the ferry. People came from all corners of the Commonwealth to experience traversing the James River on the nation's last hand poled ferry as well as more exotic locals like Porto Rico and Venezuela. There were even visitors who made detours in their travel plans to visit the ferry.

All Hands on Deck!	Over 200 people and 30 cars were transported across the River on June 28th.

Announcement: Closing of the Hatton Ferry
The Virginia Department of Transportation has decided to stop funding the operation of the Hatton Ferry, the last hand-poled ferry in the United States, on July 1st. The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society took on a very active role in 1982 to ensure the continued operation of the Hatton Ferry working hand in hand with the County of Albemarle and VDOT. Our commitment to its operation has not wavered. The Hatton Ferry is one of those rare items that transcends monetary value. Its true value as the last remaining hand-poled ferry in the US can not be judged solely on the costs to be saved by its pending closure.

Wednesday, July 1st, is an important day for the ferry. Please contact the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors to express you support the ferry (bos[at]albemarle.org) not only for the remainder of this operating season, but for the longer-term continuation of the ferry. For those of you who may wish to attend the meeting, the issue of the ferry is scheduled for 2:00 pm.

You may also contact VDOT Commissioner David S. Ekern about his decision to terminate support and funding for the ferry (David.Ekern[at]vdot.virginia.gov). Please also consider contacting the Governor or your local state representatives on this issue.


The Society has established the Hatton Ferry Fund at Old Dominion National Bank in Scottsville to receive funds that will be used to assist in the continued operation of the ferry. Tax-deductible donations may be sent directly to the bank or the Society. Please help us keep the Hatton Ferry going for future generations to experience.

Donations toward the continued operation of the historic Hatton Ferry may be directed to Old Dominion National Bank, attn: Marshall Pryor, III,
P.O. 321, Scottsville, VA 24590.
Checks should be made out to "ACHS - Hatton Ferry Fund."

ACHS Summer Quarterly Meeting
Celebrating the Arrival of Religious Dissenters in
Albemarle County

Our June Quarterly Meeting. ACHS Past-President Paul R. Brockman speaking on the history of the Priddy's Creek Baptist Church.	Priddy’s Creek Baptist Church (Virginia Route 20, north of Stony Point)

ACHS Spring Quarterly Meeting
The Frances Brand Collection

To learn more about the Brand Collection of "Firsts" Visit our on-line exhibit.

Gathering at the Meeting	Steven Meeks (President) and Jarrett Millard (Secretary) in front of a Slideshow
Relatives of Frances Brand	Subjects from some of the Portraits

Current Exhibit


Magazine Copies For Sale
Individual copies of the 2008 Magazine of Albemarle County History are available for $10 a piece at the Society.

Looking for Volunteers....
to help with Interviews surrounding the
Frances Brand Collection of Firsts.
To read more and view the entire collection, click here.

Needed: interviewers, transcribers of taped interviews, and sleuths to ferret out details that mysteriously emerge as we explore the backgrounds of the portrait subjects. Contact: Margaret Lake at 540-456-4644.