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VPHA ON YOUTUBE: Exploring Local History In the Heritage Area and Beyond
Follow along with the staff of VPHA as we guide you through the fascinating history of the Heritage Area. Our YouTube Channel focuses on a variety of different events, and more videos are being added constantly. Themed playlists are available below on many different topics.
Featured Video Playlist
Aldie Horticultural Society: We take a trip to Stoke Farm to explore the history of one of the region’s oldest independent horticultural societies.
Historians on Tap - 1864, What is it Good 4?: The historians tackle some of the more unusual, unexpected, and unknown events of the Civil War's third year. Guest starring Rich Condon from Civil War Pittsburgh.
Richard Dulany, Equestrian Pioneer: Learn about Colonel Richard Henry Dulany and his tremendous impact on local military and equestrian history. As an officer he served with distinction, commanding the 7th Virginia Cavalry during the Civil War. In his civilian life he is remembered as the founder of the Piedmont Fox Hounds (1840) and the Upperville Colt and Horse Show (1853), both of which were foundational to northern Virginia's equestrian culture.
Live at Five - Medical Care in the Wake of Second Manassas: Kyle Dalton joins us from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine to discuss the ways in which the Civil War impacted medical technology and logistics. Faced with unprecedented casualties, doctors on both sides struggled to implement revolutionary techniques in the fight to save lives.
Live at Five - The Wartime Diary of Catherine Noland Cochran: Preservationist Lee Lawrence discusses the Civil War diary of Catherine Noland Cochran. A prominent resident of Middleburg, Catherine described events in great detail, including military occupation, guerrilla war, and enslaved people seeking freedom.
Historians on Tap - Founding Falsehoods: This week the historians play mythbuster as we reexamine some of the myths and misconceptions of the Revolutionary War era. Our guest for this episode is Stephanie Seal Walters from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Historians on Tap - Before They Were Famous: Learn more about the events that shaped some of the more famous (or infamous) people in local and national history. Heidi Campbell-Shoaf, Museum Director and Chief Curator for the Daughters of the American Revolution, joins us as our special guest!
The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad: Long before it was a popular bike trail, the W&OD was connecting people from all over Northern Virginia.
The 1st South Carolina/33rd USCT: Author Millicent Hughes recounts her ancestor’s experience as an officer in one of the first African-American units of the Civil War.
Live at Five - The Mason Family Manuscripts: Dr. Cythia Kierner and Dr. George Oberle join us from George Mason University to tell us about their research into the Mason Family records at the Fenwick Library. Their particular focus is an account book covering 1790-1820 that belonged to Stevens Thomson Mason (1760-1803), and his son Armistead Thomson Mason (1787-1819), who owned the Raspberry Plain estate near Leesburg.
Drinking Historically: MHAA Public Programs Coordinator Travis Shaw shares some history on drinks and drinking in the 18th and 19th century. He'll share both alcoholic and non-alcoholic recipes that you can try at home!
Ask a Historian - A Loudoun Seance: Inspired by out Historians on Tap episode about spiritualism, historian Alison Herring shares the story of a seance that occurred in Loudoun County in the 1850s.
Historians on Tap - 19th Century Spiritualism and Seances: Dr. Jeff Tolbert is back by popular demand as we look at the popular movement of spiritualism and the effect it had on 19th Century America.
The Road to Integration: The Road to Integration looks at the long struggle for equality in African-American education in the Heritage Area.
Garden Clubs of Northern Virginia: Learn about the fascinating role that Garden Clubs have played in historic preservation.
Live at Five - The Village of Aldie: Our first Live at Five program looks at the history of Aldie with Tracy and Rich Gillespie.
North Hill: Located along the banks of the Shenandoah in Clarke County, North Hill has a history stretching back centuries.
Historians on Tap - Myth, Legend, and History: The Historians on Tap look at local legends and folk tales to see what we can learn from the past. Special guest appearance by Dr. Jeff Tolbert, Associate Professor of American Studies at Penn State, Harrisburg.
Conversations in History: Lord Dunmore and the Coming of the Revolution. Learn about Virginia’s last Royal Governor and how he lost control of the colony.
Historians on Tap: Historic Scandals. Hear about duels, kissing parties, royal abdication, and more!
John Marshall through the Artist’s Eye: Learn how Fauquier County artist Richard Brooke created an iconic image of one of the Heritage Area’s most important national figures.
Historic Mt. Zion: The crossroads near Mt. Zion Church in Aldie has been a vital transportation network for centuries. Learn how one location was used by Native Americans, Colonial settlers, Civil War soldiers, and more!
A Visit to Monocacy National Battlefield: In preparation for our 2019 Civil War Conference we took a close look at the “Battle that Saved Washington.”
Retreat from DC: Follow the pursuit of Jubal Early’s Confederate army across the Heritage Area in 1864
Loudoun County Agriculture: We pay a visit to the Loudoun County Heritage Farm Museum and talk to Director Lori Kimball about the changing nature of agriculture in Loudoun. From wheat fields to dairy farms, the area has seen numerous transitions that have made their mark on the landscape.
Historians on Tap - 1863’s a Crowd: The Historians on Tap tell lesser known stories from the pivotal year of 1863. Guest starring Dr. Lauren Thompson.
Live at Five - At the Races: This week we examine Virginia's equestrian heritage and its impact on the landscape and culture of the northern Piedmont. We'll be joined by Jeb Hannum, Executive Director of the Virginia Equine Alliance, and Don Yovanovich, President of the Virginia Point-to-Point Foundation and Secretary/Treasurer of the Virginia Steeplechase Association.
Historians on Tap - Epic Fails: The historians take a look at blunders and unfortunate events in Virginia history. Guest starring Kate Gruber of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.
Ask a Historian - Laundry: You ask and we answer! Educator and living historian Anna Kiefer talks about the techniques, tools, and technology of doing laundry in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Live at Five - Prince William County: Historic Site Manager Kevin Pawlak joins us to talk about two of Prince William County’s most historic sites, the Ben Lomond House and Bristoe Station Battlefield.
Live at Five - The Battle of Cool Spring: Learn about the largest Civil War battle fought in Clarke County with Jonathan Noyalas, Director of the McCormick Civil War Institute at Shenandoah University.
Historians on Tap - Memory and War: The Historians on Tap look at how we have remembered war and veterans over the centuries. Guest starring military historian James Taub.
John Lederer’s Exploration: In the 1670s, German immigrant John Lederer became the first European to view the Shenandoah Valley.
Inside Carter Hall: Take a look inside on of Clarke County’s most impressive homes with the Clarke County Historical Association.
Virtual Visit - Fauquier’s Golden Age: At one time, commercial gold mining was big business in Fauquier County.
Mt. Carmel Church: We stop at one of the most historic churches in Clarke County, where Mosby’s Rangers fought in February 1865.
Historians on Tap: A Toast to Your Health. Grab a drink and join the Historians on Tap as we discuss epidemics in American history.
Local Stories: From forgotten founding fathers, to cases of brother fighting brother, and even secret Cold War bases, our Heritage Area has a lot to uncover.
Live at Five - Fauquier County, a Past Worth Preserving: Longtime Fauquier resident and educator Bob Jacobs walks us through the fascinating history of Fauquier County.
Ask a Historian-Historic Foodways: This week we take a look at historic foodways in 18th and 19th century Virginia. We've reached out to Karen Becker at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, Virginia to learn more!
History of Berry’s Ferry: Learn the fascinating history of Berry's Ferry, one of the important crossing points on the Shenandoah River, with MHAA Board Member Barry Freeman.
Live at Five - African-American Communities of Fauquier County: Karen Hughes White give us a tour of some of the historically African-American villages, churches, and schools of Fauquier County.
Historians on Tap - 186”2 Hot to Handle”: We take a look at how the Civil War changed in its second year and how the war impacted civilians in Northern Virginia. Guest starring Kevin Pawlak.
Historians on Tap - Song and Dance: From presidential campaign songs to Jazz Age dance crazes, explore the local influence on American music. Local musicians Bess Putnam, Matt Metz, and Jamie Potter guest star.
Legendary Frontiersman Simon Kenton: We visit the village of Waterfall in the western reaches of Prince William County to learn about famous frontiersman Simon Kenton.
Ashby’s Gap: For centuries, people have used this gap as a way to pass to and from the Shenandoah Valley
The Orange County Hounds: Learn about the equestrian history of the Heritage Area.
World War I: 101 Years Later: World War I historian James Taub joins us for an exploration of all five counties of the Heritage Area to see how the Great War affected soldiers and civilians alike.
Historians on Tap - Eighteen Sixty-One-Hit Wonders: 1861 is a year that changed American history forever. Join The Mosby Heritage Area Association, the Loudoun Museum, and Dana Shoaf of Civil War Times Magazine as we talk about unusual events or individuals that caused a bang!
Music in the Civil War: An introduction to the importance of music to both the North and South.
Touring Leesburg: The MHAA staff and their friends from the Loudoun Museum and Thomas Balch Library visit some of their favorite places in Leesburg.
Cemetery Exploration: Learn how to see cemeteries as historic resources and examine how different religious and ethnic groups commemorated the dead.