University of Lynchburg Department of History

07/21/2026

Tap tap tap! Is this thing on? Hope everyone is enjoying their summers! Keep an eye out here for History news and events. Can’t wait to see everyone in August. Go enjoy so@e once cream!

06/10/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1eUYhaL8Wo/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/28/2026

Join Greg Starbuck, Executive Director of Historic Sandusky, for a screening of the Emmy Award-winning documentary Hunter’s Raid: The Battle for Lynchburg, followed by a Q&A session about the Battle. Mr. Starbuck will also discuss his newest documentary, Lynchburg at War: The Home Front, including filming done at the White House of the Confederacy for a special scene involving Jefferson Davis and the Lynchburg hospitals.

•Thursday, June 18 @ 7 PM
•$10 / Free for Members
•Visit acwm.org/events to register!

05/25/2026

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1412047237623579&id=100064549490175

The stories that shaped Lynchburg are now being preserved in a personal way. A new book brings together 250 years of local history.

05/23/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EtZeuZq6W/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Sixty-one-year-old Lucy Otey had seven sons in the Confederate army, and she was determined to do her part to help relieve the suffering of the wounded soldiers being treated in her hometown of Lynchburg, Virginia. So, she organized the women of the city and they took over the Union Hotel, converting it into a hospital with an all-volunteer all-female nursing staff, defying convention and military regulations which did not allow women in hospitals. When the head of military medical services in Lynchburg objected and ordered she and her colleagues to desist, Mrs. Otey traveled to Richmond, met privately with Jefferson Davis and emerged with full authority to operate her hospital (which they called “the Ladies Relief Hospital”) independently of the military chain of command.

Despite receiving the worst of the casualties, the Ladies Hospital had the lowest mortality rate of all hospitals in the area and was regarded as one of the finest in the South.

Lucy Wilhelmina Norvell Otey died on May 23, 1866, at age 65.

05/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BM2AYVygU/?mibextid=wwXIfr

This is an incredible opportunity for local teens interested in history and museums! We're proud to be a part of this.

Museum Summer Camp is back for a second year! Ten museums and archives are partnering to provide exclusive access for local teens!
Dates: June 8-June 12, 9 am – 4:30 pm daily
Location: Each day begins at the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College. Daily trips to local museums with transportation provided.
Eligibility: Rising 9th through 12 grade students.
Tuition: $400 (discounts available for Maier members)
Deadline to apply: May 25, 2026
This year’s lineup of field trips is spectacular! We will visit:
Amazement Square
Jones Memorial Library
Anne Spencer House Museum and Garden
Historic Sandusky
Old City Cemetery
Lynchburg Museum System
Daura Museum of Art
Legacy Museum of African American History
Randolph College Natural History Collection

Over the course of the camp, students will go behind the scenes, meet professionals in a range of roles—from directors and curators to educators and collections' managers—and participate in hands-on projects. It’s a great chance for students to learn about the many exciting career paths in the museum world and see the many resources available in the area.

The link with more information, including registration is here:
https://maiermuseum.org/camps/

04/20/2026

Congratulations to Joel Butcher for winning second place in American History for his paper at the Phi Alpha Theta Regional History Conference this weekend!

04/18/2026

04/18/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Lisa L. Crutchfield for winning two faculty awards this evening: the Elsie Bock Award for Excellence in Citizenship and Award for Excellence in Research Mentoring! Great work, Dr. Crutchfield!