From Denise Harrell secretary of the Hampton Roads Civil War Round Table (HRCWRT).
Join us Thursday, October 15th for our monthly dinner meeting at Virginia Beach National Golf Club, 2500 Tournament Dr., Virginia Beach, VA, 23456, beginning at 6 pm, followed by dinner at 6:30, and our program at 7. One of our favorite Living Historians, Reverend Al Jones of Appomattox, returns this month to present “An Evening with James W. D. Bland: A Free Black Virginian’s Civil War-Era Life of Consequence.” James Bland, a carpenter, a cooper, and a U.S Tax Assessor, was born free in Farmville, Va, in 1844. He later represented Prince Edward County and Appomattox in The Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1867-1868, and in the Virginia Senate from 1869-1870, where he served on the Senate Committee for Courts of Justice. He was considered to be the voice of compromise and impartiality in an age of turmoil and partisanship. His life was cut short by his untimely, accidental death in 1870. Rev. Alfred L. Jones, III, has a deep interest in the personal histories of the people of Appomattox, both during the Civil War and over the past 150 years. His profound love of history has led to incredible historical discoveries and genealogical research. He’s able to share these fascinating stories as a Living Historian at Appomattox Ct. House National Historical Park. Rev. Jones founded the Jesus Center Church of Appomattox, where he pastored for 40 years (1980-2020). He is currently Pastor Emeritus. He taught Social Studies for Appomattox County Public Schools from 1999-2011. He holds a BA in Social Studies from Lynchburg College and has completed extensive graduate courses in history. He also serves on the Appomattox County Board of Supervisors (2022-present) and previously was on the Appomattox County School Board (2014-2021).
The dinner buffet, which is optional, will include baked chicken, pot roast, mac & cheese, green beans, salad, dessert, iced tea and water. Cost is $20, plus tax and 21% gratuity. Please notify Denise Harrell, Secretary, by email as soon as possible, but NOT LATER THAN NOON MONDAY, OCTOBER 12th, if you would like to have dinner. Virginia Beach National requires a firm headcount and a three-day advance notification.
We welcome new members and guests. Please invite your history-loving friends and neighbors to come join you at our meeting, Thursday, October 15th, to hear our speaker James W. D. Bland.
The Chancellorsville/Spotsylvania Battlefield Trip on November 6th and 7th is full and a wait list has been started. Please contact Glen Robertson at grobertson@wolriv.com or Judy Payton at paytonsathe@msn.com if you wish to be added to the wait list.
The Round Table’s new membership year began July 1, 2026 and ends June 30, 2027. Annual Membership Dues are $50 (Individual) and $70 (Family) and can be paid at the monthly meeting with the attached form or mailed with the attached form to Treasurer Dale Robertson at: 23020 Rolfe Ave., Windsor, VA 23487. Please note: dues are not considered paid without the attached form being filled out. The form appears below.
Application form
Future HRCWRT Programs in 2026
November 19, 2026: “Robert E. Lee at Antietam,” by Kevin Pawlak, Historian, Author, Contributing Member of Emerging Civil War and Licensed Battlefield Guide at Antietam National Battlefield
December– Membership Only Christmas Dinner: “Seven Times When the Confederates Could Have Won the Battle of Gettysburg,” by Rob Abbot, Maj. USMC (Ret), Certified Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park