Botetourt County
The Botetourt County Sesquicentennial Committee was created in early 2009 thru the initiative of the Botetourt County Office of Tourism. The Committee is currently composed of representatives of the Botetourt Historical Society, Botetourt County Office of Tourism, Town of Buchanan, Town of Fincastle and several citizen representatives. The Committee has developed areas of emphasis for Botetourt County during each year of the Sesquicentennial observation. A major area of focus will be promotion of interest in the HUNTER’S RAID segment of the VIRGINIA CIVIL WAR TRAILS. The Committee is helping to promote specific Botetourt community events including the Town of Buchanan’s 4th Annual Civil War Weekend, every April.
Franklin County
The Franklin County Sesquicentennial Committee was organized in July 2009 under the
auspices of the Franklin County Historical Society. Broad representation was sought
and achieved as suggested by the VA Commission for the Sesquicentennial. During
March of 2010, that leadership was rescinded and given to the Department of Tourism,
Leisure Services, and Special Events — a Franklin County Agency. The Committee
still retains its broad representation bringing together schools, businesses, historians,
librarians, Ferrum College, UDC, SCV, and SUV heritage groups, the Jubal Early
Preservation Trust, and Booker T Washington National Monument & its support group,
the Friends of Booker T. Washington National Monument. The Franklin County
Sesquicentennial Committee maintains communications with Pittsylvania County,
Floyd County, Bedford County, Roanoke County, Roanoke City, and the Cities of
Salem and Vinton. There is also a Liaison Group which lends guidance to the group
from the State and Regional Levels. The Franklin County Sesquicentennial Committee
meets every other month or as needed.
Currently, The Franklin County Sesquicentennial Committee strives to plan events aligned
to the Signature Conference established by the VA Sesquicentennial Commission. We
run a Speakers Bureau to inform organizations about the Sesquicentennial. We support
regional efforts and events — most notably, those associated with the Southwest Virginia
Sesquicentennial Committee of which we are partners. During the Sesquicentennial,
special events will be held at the Jubal Early Home Place and at Booker T. Washington
National Monument. Where applicable, appropriate Newspaper Articles related to
CW150 will be featured in local newspapers within Franklin County. Franklin County
Days — Jubal Early Days — will feature some aspect of Jubal Early’s Life as it pertained
to the American Civil War.
SALEM SESQUICENTENNIAL OF THE CIVIL WAR COMMITTEE
The Salem Sesquicentennial of the Civil War Committee is composed of representatives from Roanoke College, Salem City Schools, Salem Times Register, Salem Red Sox, Salem Museum, Salem Public Library and the City of Salem. Members have formed subcommittees to assist with event planning. Events range from the Salem Museum exhibits and lecture series to the Ghost Walk and Holiday Homes Tour.
