Historian and author Stuart L. Butler will discuss his recent book, Defending the Old Dominion: Virginia and its Militia in the War of 1812, on Wednesday, March 26, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street. Cost is $5 per person; free for Alexandria Historical Society members. To purchase tickets, visit shop.alexandriava.gov or call 703-746-4994.
This lecture, co-sponsored by the Alexandria Historical Society and the Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, will address the impact of the War of 1812 on Virginia as well as the challenges the Commonwealth faced in financing the militia. Butler will also tell the intriguing story of the nearly 2,000 slaves who fled to British ships, some of whom joined British forces and fought against the Americans.
Butler, the former Assistant Branch Chief of the National Archives and Records Administration, is an expert on this historical period. He has also written Virginia Soldiers in the U.S Army; Guide to Virginia Militia Units in the War of 1812, Real Patriots and Heroic Soldiers: General Joel Leftwich and the Virginia Brigade in the War of 1812, and been published by numerous history magazines.
Although war was declared in 1812, it did not reach Alexandria’s shores until 1814. The city and community partners are commemorating Alexandria in the War of 1812 through lectures, concerts, a film series, and specialty tours, culminating in a free special event in Waterfront Park on Sunday, August 31, from noon to 5 p.m.
For more information and a complete listing of Bicentennial events, visit visitalexandriava.com/1812.