free indeed! project
commemorates 150th anniversary
of emancipation
The Virginia Baptist Historical Society and the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies at the University of Richmond have collaborated to produce the "free indeed!" project which is both organizations contribution to the 150th anniversary of emancipation.
"free indeed!" is a three-fold project:
1) It is an exhibit which tells the story of the relationships between blacks and whites especially within the Baptist churches of antebellum Virginia. It includes numerous original documents, old church records and artifacts. Individuals can visit the exhibit most weekdays at the Virginia Baptist Historical Society's building on the campus of the University of Richmond. Groups including church groups must schedule a guided tour of the exhibit.
2) It is a book which was written by Michael Whitt, special projects assistant for the Virginia Baptist Historical Society. It covers many aspects of slavery especially as related to life within the Baptist churches of Virginia. Also included are several period writings on the subject. The book is also entitled "free indeed!" and can be ordered for $15.75 plus $5 shipping and handling.
3) It is a name registry which includes upwards of 50,000 names of slaves, freedmen and white surnames which Michael Whitt pulled from the manuscript pages of over 200 antebellum church record books in the Virginia Baptist Historical Society's archives. The registry offers names as well as supporting information such as baptismal or death dates and names of slave owners. It is anticipated that the registry can benefit family and social historians. The registry is available at the Virginia Baptist Historical Society's library by research appointment.
For further information and to schedule group tours and research visits or to order books, please contact the Virginia Baptist Historical Society at (804)289-8434 or by mail at VBHS, P.O. Box 34, University of Richmond, VA 23173. To schedule a group tour ask for Elsie Richards. To schedule a research appointment ask for Darlene Slater Herod.
Annual Meeting Featured Hymn Festival
The 2011 Annual Meeting of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society was held on May 17 at the Grace Baptist Church in Richmond. The program featured a lively and enjoyable Hymn Festival under the title of "Sing Praises Old & New." The Hymn Festival was led by two church music professors: Dr. Deborah C. Loftis of the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond and Dr. William "Bill" Roberts of the Virginia Theological Seminary (Episcopal) in Alexandria.
NEW RESOURCES & PUBLICATIONS ARE LISTED BELOW
Peace-bearing Program Yielded New Resource
Peace-bearing was featured at the annual meeting of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society held in May 2010. Three speakers focused on Peace-bearing, as follows: Dr. Isam E. Ballenger, professor emeritus of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, commented generally on the nature of Peace; Dr. Karen Bullock, professor of Christian heritage at the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute in Texas, shared about Baptist peace-bearers of the past; and Dr. Robert Parham, executive director of the Baptist Center for Ethics, examined contemporary peace issues. Also in the meeting, the Society honored the life and work of Dr. James C. Massey, the founding director of the office of church/minister relations at the Virginia Baptist Mission Board.
The addresses delivered at the program are included in the DVD resource on Peace-bearing which has been released by the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies. To order the Peace-bearing DVD resource send $25 plus $3 for shipping and handling to Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies, P.O. Box 34, University of Richmond, VA 23173.
SUNBEAMS & SHADOWS: The Life of George Braxton Taylor is a new biographical treatment of the noted minister and founder of the Sunbeams, the organization founded in 1886 to teach missions to young children. Fred Anderson, executive director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society, read some 12,500 pages of Taylor's diary as well as many other source materials to write the biography. It is an honest treatment of the glad and sad times experienced by this minister. (Note: Sunbeams & Shadows is an alternate title to the 2010 issue of the Virginia Baptist Register which goes to all annual members of the Historical Society.) Copies may be ordered for $12 including shipping and handling. Send orders to VBHS, Box 34, University of Richmond, VA 23173 Put "Sunbeams" on your check.
WHAT MEAN THESE STONES? - Religious Liberty and the Monuments to Virginia Baptists Who Secured It.
What Mean These Stones? which gives an account of the struggle for religious liberty and the monuments, markers and tablets scattered across the Virginia landscape which herald the courageous men who helped secure religious liberty for all Americans to enjoy. Included are the addresses delivered by leading historians when the monuments were dedicated. Also included is an annotated journal of a pioneer Virginia Baptist minister, William Young Hiter, and his wife, Jane Goodwin Hiter. The journal dates to 1811-12. It was annotated by Joel Feigenbaum, a student at the University of Richmond. Orders for What Mean These Stones? can be secured by sending a check for $12 including shipping and handling to: Virginia Baptist Historical Society, P.O. Box 34, University of Richmond, VA 23173.
UNTO THE HILLS - History of Baptists in Southwest Virginia
Unto the Hills is a history of Baptist life and work in Southwest Virginia from the 1700s to 1890.The publication includes a history of the establishment of Baptist work especially through state missionaries and Bible distributors, an inventory of all known Baptist churches in the region, and a biographical study of one of the pioneer preachers, Noah Baldwin.“The Man from Whang Doodle Hollow” tells Baldwin’s story using his diary as a primary source.
Orders may be placed by sending a check for $12 including shipping and handling to:
Virginia Baptist Historical Society
SWVA Book Order
P.O. Box 34
University of Richmond, VA 23173
Note:Unto the Hills is an alternate title for the 2008 issue of the Virginia Baptist Register, the annual journal of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society.