Events

Jon Vrana from the Burke Historical Society will discuss 19th-century Irish emigration to the New World, from the perspective of an Irishman on his journey to New York, the Midwest, and the Great Plains. *This talk will be presented online with George Mason Regional Library as host.  Registration at the link below is required.* https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/7568871

Cindy Bennett from the Burke Historical Society will discuss the story and fate of 33 suffragists imprisoned at the Occoquan (Lorton) Workhouse in November 1917. The tenacity of these fearless women led to the 1920 passage of the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote. *This talk will be presented online by Focus on…

Cindy Bennett from the Burke Historical Society will offer a general perspective on the federal Census as a genealogical tool.  This program is not intended as a “how-to” for finding these records, but rather as an overview of what information the Census recorded each decade and how the genealogist should interpret it. *This talk will…

Paula Brown Kelley will share memories and stories of life in Burke before large subdivisions, and of her family’s role in Burke’s history. Her grandfather, Paul E. Brown, served as a Fairfax County judge and helped lead the successful campaign to relocate the planned airport that threatened Burke’s survival. *This talk will be presented online…

Brian Slawski from the Burke Historical Society will discuss jazz clubs (and other less conventional jazz venues) past and present in Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. *This talk will be presented online with George Mason Regional Library as host.  Registration at the link below is required.* https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/7527007

BHS member, local historian, and author Mary Lipsey will speak about her new book Almost Forgotten Women: Yesterday’s Headliners. The book describes the stories and accomplishments of over 60 remarkable women from American history, who struggled for equal rights and opportunities, and who were pioneers in fields ranging from politics to sports to science. *This…

Historian and author Char McCargo Bah will discuss the historical background of the Contrabands and Freedmen who migrated to Alexandria during the Civil War. In addition, this lecture will demonstrate methods that were used to locate the descendants of the Freedmen and Contrabands who were buried at the Cemetery from 1864 to 1869. *This talk…

Local historian and author Mary Lipsey will speak about her new book Almost Forgotten Women: Yesterday’s Headliners.  The book describes the stories and accomplishments of over 60 remarkable women from American history, who struggled for equal rights and opportunities, and who were pioneers in fields ranging from politics to sports to science.  Books will be…

Historian and author Dr. Cindy Gueli will explore the capital’s rich and colorful wartime history through some of its most notorious scandals involving women.  Stories of murder, adultery, espionage, and prostitution reveal the intriguing life and culture unique to the city.  *This talk will be presented online with Pohick Regional Library as host.  Registration at…