Beginning in February, the Mosby Heritage Area Association (MHAA) will sponsor its annual Winter Lecture Series. The series this year honors the 400th birthday of Virginia by highlighting history in the Mosby Heritage Area as an integral part of Virginia's story. Four, distinct lectures will focus on four periods of history: Native American, Revolutionary War, Civil War, and 20th Century.

Lectures are given by prominent Virginia historians, and are presented each Sunday afternoon in February at 3 p.m. at various locations throughout the Mosby Heritage Area. This year a reading list compiled by the speakers serves to enhance their presentations. The reading list, along with lecture dates, topics, speaker bios, and lecture locations, is available on the MHAA website at www.mosbyheritagearea.org.

The first lecture, Wingandekao, a.k.a. Virginia will be given by Donald Tharpe at the Warrenton-Fauquier County Visitor Center on Sunday, February 4. Mr. Tharpe is putting together an exhibit America 1200 a.d. to 1699 a.d.: King Wingina's Wingadekoa to accompany his lecture.

Dr. Warren Hofstra will speak on How Revolutionary Was Revolutionary Virginia? at Powhatan School in Millwood on Sunday, February 11. Additionally, Dr. John Sawyer, representing a Virginia Revolutionary War Soldier, will talk about the life of Revolutionary War soldiers.

The third lecture will be on Sunday, February 18 at Oak Hill south of Leesburg. David Goetz will speak on The Post-War Relationship of John Singleton Mosby and Ulysses S. Grant. Oak Hill's Civil War history will also be presented. Reservations are needed for this lecture.

The series will end with a lecture at Morven Park by Tracy Gillespie on Sunday, February 25. Her topic is 'Give Us a Farmer Governor!': Westmorland Davis, Agriculture, and Virginia Politics in the Early 20th Century. The program will also include an interview with Governor Davis.

"Our Winter Lecture Series is the longest running educational program of the association," says Judy Reynolds, Executive Director of the MHAA. "It attracts people of all ages, from history buffs to families who want to learn more about the region and what binds them to it."

The Mosby Heritage Area Association is a non for profit, 501(c)(3) membership organization whose mission is to support and promote the preservation of the extraordinary historic, cultural and scenic resources of the Mosby Heritage Area. The MHAA provides a myriad of other education and interpretive programs for families, including its popular Cavaliers, Courage and Coffee presentations. In addition, the association strives to support its mission through various public awareness, heritage tourism, and advocacy initiatives.

For more information about the Winter Lecture Series, or other programs and initiatives provided by the association, contact Judy Reynolds, Executive Director at (540) 687-6681 or info@mosbyheritagearea.org.