2005 Meeting in Lexington, Virginia
On the third weekend of October, 2005, eighty-two descendants, family, and friends marched into historic Lexington, Virginia. Attendees hailed from England, California, Texas, Kentucky, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Florida, North Carolina, Idaho, New Mexico, and Virginia.
For those who were able to arrive on Friday morning, a special treat awaited them. Vaughan Stanley, Special Collection Librarian at the Leyburn Library at Washington and Lee University, made available their prized Washington letter for our inspection. In it George Washington thanked the trustees for naming the school in his honor.
Attendees stayed at the historic Hampton Inn Col Alto. The manor house, owned at one time by Virginia Governor James McDowell, was built in 1827 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On could easily imagine meeting Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, or George Marshall as we enjoyed the hot apple cider and delicious snacks that were set out for us while we registered and greeted old friends. We had time to visit VMI for the cadets’ Dress Parade, or enjoy a show at the Virginia Horse Center.
Our dinner Friday evening was at Maple Hall. We enjoyed cocktails in their exquisite garden on one of those cool, crisp fall evenings that the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia are famous for. After dinner, we enjoyed an informative talk by George W. Warren, IV, Executive Director of the Rockbridge Historical Society. Mr. Warren, a 1964 VMI graduate and retired attorney, shared with us the history of Rockbridge County.
Saturday morning found us bright-eyed and ready to tour Lexington. We began at the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery with our traditional Memorial service for members lost during the past year. Mary Devera, Chaplain General, led us in the service, and a flower was placed for each one at the grave of William D. Washington, a noted painter and professor of art at VMI.
We then visited the very interesting George Marshall and VMI Cadet Museums on the campus. Returning to Washington and Lee University, we were escorted by a very knowledgeable docent through Lee Chapel, and were able to pay our respects to the General and his family who are buried there.
After lunch, we toured the Stonewall Jackson House followed by a tour of the Headquarters of the Rockbridge Historical Society where we were treated to an exhibit of William D. Washington’s lithograph, “The Burial of Latane.” In addition, the city of Lexington’s Fall Festival was in full swing. We were able to enjoy local potters and artisans, listen to music and make apple cider as we soaked up the charm of Lexington.
The evening’s festivities began with the President General’s Reception at Bottomly Terrace. The reception was dedicated to our President General Dick Jordan. In his honor our host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel F. Woody, II, served Virginia Tech wine from Chateau Morrisette Winery in Floyd County, Virginia. After dinner in the Rockbridge Room, Brian Hilton, a history teacher at St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., regaled us with tales about General Washington. Mr. Hilton, a graduate of George Mason University, has been honored as the 2004-2005 Teacher of the Year by the Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution.
On Sunday morning we boarded a bus for the R. E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church where we filled six pews at the worship service. We heard an inspiring sermon by the Reverend Thomas O’Dell and enjoyed a reception in the courtyard hosted by members of the congregation.
Following church, we changed clothes, boarded the buses, and meandered up the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to Walnut Grove, the home of Cyrus McCormick, inventor of the mechanical reaper. Under giant walnut trees we enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch while David Fiske, executive Director of Cyrus McCormick’s Farm, gave an informative talk about the McCormicks and the development of the reaper.
Mid-afternoon found the family on the move again as we headed south to Natural Bridge, one of the Severn Wonders of the World. Surveyed for Lord Fairfax by our very own George Washington, we were delighted to see where he had carved his initials. An unforgettable moment was experienced as we walked along the trail with the babbling creek beside us, a gentle Virginia breeze rustling the fall leaves, and our heads upturned looking in awe and wonder at this incredible rock bridge soaring many feet above us.
After the evening hospitality hour we assembled in the Rockbridge Room for our final night together as family. After dinner we were held spell-bound for almost two hours by our very own John Washington and Justin Glenn, as they each gave a brief talk about our family lines and answer questions from us about our ancestors. When we finally agreed it was time to go to bed, we joined hands, and sang “Blest Be the Tie That Binds,” our traditional good-bye.
The weekend was a magical one filled with many charming happy memories as the family gathered together for another annual meeting. The people of Lexington opened their hearts and arms to us as we visited their beautiful and historic town. For those who were able to attend it will always be a treasured memory.
Submitted by Lee Hardin Woody, 2005
