Brent Tartar provides keynote presentation

David Blake speaking about Buckland

Ray Olszewski speaking about LaGrange

start of afternoon field trips

1st Annual Prince William County History Forum

Historic Prince William, in partnership with the Prince William County Public Schools, held the first annual local history forum on Saturday, March 8, 2008, 9:00-3:30pm at Forest Park High School. The event highlighted recent primary research in eight separate morning sessions, and included afternoon field trips to the historic Liberia plantation house and the Manassas Museum. Forum was free (including lunch). We had 80 people participate.

Keynote speaker was Virginia historian Brent Tartar from the Library of Virginia, speaking on Billys, Botts, and Brents: Prince William as the Center of the World. He is author of numerous publications, one of the editors of the ever-expanding Dictionary of Virginia Biography, and "wise sage" on the VA-HIST listserver.

Tarter is also a key founder of the Virginia Forum, which was the inspiration for this county-specific event. Both forums offer an opportunity for exchanges of ideas among scholars, teachers, archivists, librarians, museum curators, and all those interested in Virginia history, environment, and culture. (The third annual Virginia Forum will be held in Fredericksburg on April 11-12, 2008.)

9:00-9:30 Keynote: Billys, Botts, and Brents: Prince William as the Center of the World (Brent Tartar, Library of Virginia)

9:30-9:45 Break

9:45-10:30 Break-out Session A (chose one of the following):

Slavery and Slave Holding in Prince William County: A comparison between 1810 and 1860

An examination of slavery in Prince William County in 1810, just after the Constitutional Ban on importation of slaves went into effect, as compared with slavery in Prince William, Fairfax, Stafford, Loudoun, and Fauquier in 1860, just before the Civil War.

Presenter: James Bish

The History of Ownership at LaGrange

History of the property ownership of LaGrange from the time of Robert “King” Carter (1640s) through present day, emphasizing significant contributions to the history of Prince William County.

Presenter: Ray Olszewski

From the Courthouse to the Web: Digitizing the Prince William County Chancery Records

This showcase of digital images will highlight Prince William County’s records, in order to illustrate records that will be made available through this online index, as well as the quality of the images that have been digitized. Attendees will see images such as colorful and detailed plats, rare broadsides, and Confederate bills and bonds and hear stories of some of the fascinating cases that are found in the chancery records.

Presenter: Rachel Muse

Elk Run Anglican Church Site Project: Uncovering a 250-year old Church Site

A study of the historical and archaeological research of a parish church in colonial Prince William County, built by the late 1750s. The remains of the church have been hidden from view for over nearly 200 years, but will again become a focal point for the community as it is developed as a Historic Church Park

Presenter: Ed Dandar

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45-11:30 Break-out Session B (chose one of the following):

Buckland: Prince William County’s First Inland Port

Learn about the growth and development of the entrepreneurial landscape of one of Prince William County’s early turnpike towns.

Presenter: David Blake

“It Ain’t Necessarily So:” “The Shelter” and the discrepancies between family lore and public record

A descendant of the Tyler family delves into the public record and finds that much of the family information about the house, “The Shelter,” (some of which has been previously published) was incorrect.

Presenter: Ellie Ivancik

Moor Green – Discovering the Past & Preserving for the Future

This presentation focuses on the history of Moor Green (ca. 1815), the difficulties encountered in documenting its past, and the challenges of private ownership.

Presenter: Glenn Callahan

Teaching about Prince William County History

Learn about local history resources and engaging strategies that will excite students in their study of Prince William County history.

Presenter: Sue Austen

11:30-12:15 Lunch (provided)

12:30 depart by bus for Manassas Historical Tour (completed at 3:30pm)

Local museums and organizations offered displays in the lobby throughout the program, including Brentsville Neighbors, Buckland Preservation Society, Historic Dumfries, Manassas Museum, Prince William Conservation Alliance, RELIC (center for local history & genealogy), Friends of Manassas National Battlefield, Bull Run Civil War Round Table, Prince William County, and Turn the Mill Around Campaign.

The event was open to everyone. Teachers and high school students in particular were encouraged to attend. Teachers earned 5 recertification points for participating by signing up for SST 735 - PWC History Forum in the Professional Learnings catalog.