Category: History

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Preview: Virginia History 101: The Old Dominion’s Early History

Rick Britton

Rick Britton

Regular listeners of our podcasts might know Rick Britton. He’s an award-winning historian and cartographer and a frequent guest on WINA’s Charlottesville Right Now with Coy Barefoot.

This fall the Senior Center, Inc. is offering a new class entitled "Virginia History 101." Hosted by award-winning Historian Rick Britton, the lecturers include William & Mary Professor Susan Kern, Monticello Research Historian Leni Sorensen, U.Va. Professor of History Ed Lengel, Associate Editor of the Papers of George Washington David Hoth, and U.Va. Professor of Architecture Ed Lay. The series in being offered in conjunction with the Charlottesville Senior Center.

Designed for recent Albemarle County transplants and retirees—as well as for those just now delving into Virginia’s fascinating past—this class focuses on the big topics in our state’s early history. The most populous of the original 13 states, the Old Dominion flourished thanks to an addictive weed. Virginia witnessed the Revolution’s final major campaign, and gave rise to an architectural style that set the standard for the nation. While Virginia-born politicians dominated our young republic’s first four decades, the state also left behind painful legacies regarding its treatment of both Native Virginians and African Americans. Join us as we explore some of the big issues in Virginia’s early history!

The Class—At the Senior Center Inc. on six Thursdays (except on October 12th, see below). Time: 6:00–7:30 p.m. Charge: Senior Center members: $45.00—guests: $55.00. (Travel Session is a separate charge.)

* THURS. Oct. 7th – The Monacan Nation – Rick Britton
* TUES. Oct. 12th – Tobacco, The First Cash Crop – Susan Kern
* THURS. Oct. 21st – Foodways of the Enslaved – Leni Sorensen
* THURS. Oct. 28th – The Yorktown Campaign – Ed Lengel
* THURS. Nov. 4th – Washington’s Presidency – David Hoth
* THURS. Nov. 11th – Architecture in the Jeffersonian Period – Ed Lay
* THURSDAY Nov. 18th – Travel Session: A day-trip featuring two of Virginia’s Presidential estates: Berkeley & Sherwood Forest. (Separate charge.)

For more information call the Senior Center Travel Office at (434) 974-6538, or visit the Charlottesville Senior Center Web site or e-mail Rick Britton at

We will present the entire series here beginning December 2, 2010.