Humanities Feature Bureau Summer 2007
A Production of VFH Radio
Archives:
June 2007
Virginia Film Office Scouts Out History (June 8)
Feature and documentary filmmakers often are drawn to
Montpelier Slave Descendants' Reunion (June 22)
History is, of course, the branch of knoweldge that deals with past eents. But a recent gathering at Montpelier, hte Orange Country plantation of President James and Dolley Madison, serves to remind us that, in order to be accurate, history may need to bring what was once unspeakable out of the shadows. Martha Woodroof reports.
July 2007
Hobson Village (July 5)
The Roots of Virginia culture are on display on the National Mall in Washington , DC as part of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival which wraps up this weekend. Dozens of Virginians are sharing the music, crafts, traditions and stories that color the Commonwealth. Residents of the village of Hobson are at the festival to share their community's history of oystering. Part of suffolk, Hobson was originally founded after the Civil War by freed slaves and harvested oysters until the 1950's, when oyster populations were decimated by disease. Peter Solomon reports on the efforts by residents of Hobson to preserve their legacy and culture.
Gospel Chicken House (July 20)
About fifty years ago , if you peeked inside the long wooden shack just outside Ray Pollard's home in Montpelier you'd be greeted by the clucking of 6,000 chickens. The private poultry industry has long since dried up. For more than three decades ,the building has been used as a venue for Southern gospel, Country gospel and Bluegrass music. Peter Solomon has this report on “Gospel Chicken House.”
August 2007
Joe Wilson (August 3)
The National Heritage Fellowships - the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts - celebrate their 25th birthday this year. Of the 327 artists who have received the prestigious award, nine are Virginians. The six living Fellows recently gathered for an anniversary concert at the Blue Ridge Music Center near Galax. Jesse Dukes has the story of one of these Fellows -- Mr. Joe Wilson.
A Birder's Dilemma (August 17)
Fifty million Americans enjoy bird-watching, or "birding" as its known today. But a tiny piece of high-tech gadgetry is dividing the normally congenial birding community. Reporter Nancy King tagged along with a Field Ornithology class -- out studying birds in their natural habitat -- to learn more.
Preserving Limestone Farm (August 31)
Virginians are justly proud of their architectural history. In fact, the Commonwealth is second only to the state of New York in the number of properties included on the National Register of Historic Places. Nancy King paid a visit to a recent Albemarle County addition to the Register.
