eral Assembly come in all shapes, genders,
ages, and dress styles.
Another difference from earlier years is
in the press corps. Breakfast with Governor L. Douglas Wilder,
Mrs. Patricia Kluge, and 15 or so other reporters in the first
few months of his term was a good way to describe the beginning
of my Capitol Square coverage. With the exception of Mrs. Kluge
(now remember, this was breakfast at the Executive Mansion at
seven in the morn-
ing) and Wilder’s Press Secretary Laura Dillard, I was the only other female at the table. Things have sure changed.
ing) and Wilder’s Press Secretary Laura Dillard, I was the only other female at the table. Things have sure changed.
One of the best things about this
accidental profession of mine is that it has afforded me the
time and the opportunity to explore my avocation: Virginia
history. As a result, the two compliment each other
terrifically. In the course of covering the opening of the
newly named Patrick Henry Building, I met Patrick Henry’s
great-great grand daughter. During former Governor Mark R.
Warner’s dedication of the new Capitol restoration we
learned that we were preceded by others who 100 years ago who
dedicated the addition of the wings on the east and west of the
Capitol. We were part of that history as well. We’ve
climbed up into courthouse bell towers, and spied the breathtaking
landscape from Mt. Vernon’s cupola, as well as Mr.
Jefferson’s Dome Room at Monticello. And traveling around
and learning about courthouse histories and court records has
afforded us a rich education, almost like a master’s
degree in Virginia politics and history by osmosis.
My most recent venture into avocational
pursuits is in training as a guide at historic St. John’s
Church in Richmond, the scene of the 1775 Second Virginia
Convention, and of Patrick Henry’s “give me liberty
or give me death”
speech. There is more about St.
John’s in this issue, as well as other things to do while
you are in Richmond.
Don’t forget that this is a rare and
remarkable time to tour Capital Square while the Capitol and
surrounding buildings are undergoing their modern
transformation. According to Mark Greenough, the supervisor and
historian for Capitol Guided Tours, since calendar year 2005,
they have had 22,875 visitors to Capitol Square.
Other Capitol Square news is that the
Oliver Hill Building (Old Finance Building) was dedicated in
the fall of 2005, and the Washington Building is next on the
work order list.
These two sites as well as my other homes
away from home at the Library of Virginia and the Valentine
Richmond History Center are available for small or large group
tours. Please take advantage of your free time when in the Holy
City. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you there! Call or write
about any of the sites you see described in this issue.
In the meantime, thanks if you are a past
or current contributor to the Virginia Review. You have made it
the success that is has become over the past 20 years. For that
we thank you heartily. And for those of you who stiffed us on
articles all those years ago, well, just look at what you
missed!
For more information:
Alyson L. Taylor-White
Editor
Virginia Review
3800 South Middlebrook Ct.
Chester, VA 23831
(804) 748-8230