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Chatham Manor, Part V, Its Sculpture

by von.otter

The personification of Autumn (see photo #1) greets visitors at the carriage side of the house. While in the garden classical style busts (see photos #2, #3 & #4) decorate the wall.

Chatham Manor is part of Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. Chatham has a long history, only a few other buildings in America have seen so many famous visitors and historical events. One notable guest during the time of Fitzhugh's ownership of Chatham was General George Washington. Washington’s diaries confirm that he was often a guest at Chatham. There is also evidence that James Monroe and Thomas Jefferson.

Chatham was originally built in 1771 by William Fitzhugh. The house was named after William Pitt, the Earl of Chatham, a school chum of Fitzhugh. The mansion was part of a successful 1,280-acre plantation maintained by more than 100 slaves. Along with the main building there was a barn, stables, a dairy, an icehouse, and a fishery down stream. There was also a racetrack, a mill, and an orchard.

Kenmore, Part V

by von.otter

Finally a house/museum that allowed interior photos! American institutions are far too skidish about allowing photos, with their overly concern about copyright. Leave it to Americans to be concerned about who will make a buck, if it is not them!

Both sides of a door (see photos #3 & #4) leading from the passage, as residents of the 18th century called the front hall (see photos #1 & #2), give us a completely different view.

The tour guide at Kenmore was very good; the tour is included with the admission price. It is not possible to tour the house on your own.

Griff (aka YVRDave) virtually at the Fred Meet

by rexvaughan

"Griff hangs out with the big names"

I was flattered to be asked by Griff to sponsor him as a Virtual Attendee at the Fredericksburg meet. It was a first for me and I am afraid I didn't do justice to the job but here are some of the photos I did get.
The first one is actually the Saturday night final dinner at TruLuv's. Griff was very hungry but interrupted his crabcakes and Fred Red Ale to have his photo taken with G and Zana.

"Griff didn't miss a meal"

Here is Griff enjoying breakfast at the Inn at the Old Silk Mill with Starship (Sylvia) and her husband Rick.

"Women everywhere love Griff"

Here are 3 ladies we met at the inn. They were on a girls only outing for a birthday and were very interested in what VT was and what we were doing at the meet. Of course they wanted to have their photo taken with that handsome virtual dude that was with me. You notice that I am not in the picture.

"Griff with probably the 2 most famous VTers"

I couldn't let the opportunity pass to get Griff with Lori and Hansi. I did miss getting Griff onto one of Hansi's videos and still don't know how that happened as Hansi videos everything. Sorry, Griff.

"Deep in the heart of Virginia"

Griff pauses at the entrance to Luray Caverns before descending to wander among the stalctites and stalacmites.

Gillybob escorts Griff into the depths and shows him one of the strange formations.

Griff with two other Virtual Atendees, Dave Sut and Sue Kilner sponsored by Natalie (nhcram). Sorry, Griff, that my photo of you doesn't measure up to Natalie's fantastic work.