HFFI, in partnership with the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center, invites you to celebrate the launch of our brand new book, The Circle Unbroken: Civil War Letters of the Knox Family of Fredericksburg.   Read below for more details… 

Things are busy as usual down at the Lewis Store—headquarters of the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc.  Read on to learn more about what we’ve been up to and get all the latest preservation- and history-related news.
 
In addition to managing the Foundation’s day-to-day operations, our Executive Director, Sean Maroney, has been dividing his time between several new and ongoing initiatives.  With assistance from our committees and volunteers, recent efforts have focused on HFFI’s easement program (e.g., inspecting our 44 easement properties, providing technical assistance to owners, etc.), events and program planning, grant writing, and an array of other advocacy- and outreach-related activities.  The latter include, among others, monitoring downtown development proposals, reviewing Architectural Review Board applications, meeting with city officials and staff to discuss planning and preservation policy matters, fielding information requests from members and local residents, and speaking at public meetings.
 
Lori Syner, our Office Manager, has been working with a volunteer committee for the past several months to plan for our 43rd Annual Candlelight Tour.  This year’s event is happening December 14th & 15th in downtown Fredericksburg.  Watch your mailbox for updates and information, and don’t forget to buy your tickets early for what’s shaping up to be a truly wonderful weekend!
 
Of course, HFFI’s various committees have also been hard at work, preparing Marker reports, editing books for publication, and organizing events to bring our members together.  Keep an eye out for the latest news from them here in our newsletter, on our website www.hffi.org, as well as on the HFFI Facebook page. 
 
Architectural Review Board positions to open up—Two seats will be open on the Fredericksburg ARB starting in January of 2014.  Applications are now being accepted, and candidates are being considered.  If you are interested in serving, please contact city staff or visit the ARB website to learn more.
 

Please join us on Sunday, October 27th from 3–5 p.m. for an open house at the Kenmore Inn (1200 Princess Anne Street) to mark the release of the amazing new book, The Circle Unbroken: Civil War Letters of the Knox Family of Fredericksburg.  Rob Alling and his gracious staff at the Inn are opening the entire original home to our members and their guests so you can experience the rooms where the Knox family lived and wrote the letters. Re-enactors from the 30th Virginia will be there to greet you—the same regiment the Knox boys joined in 1861.

Complementary hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided, and books will be available for purchase! The event is free and open to the public. RSVPs requested (540-371-4504; office@hffi.org).  

Books are available for pre-order, just fill out the form found on the HFFI website and submit prior to the event.  Your book will be waiting for you when you arrive to the launch on October 27th. 

See you there!

The Hot Club of San Francisco

Join HFFI on Saturday, November 16th for a trip to historic Culpepper.  We’ll be visiting the recently renovated historic State Theater to enjoy a viewing of The Hot Club of San Francisco! …an exciting show featuring vintage silent films set to live gypsy swing music.  Read more about the performance on the State Theater website.
 
Feel free to come earlier in the day and explore historic Culpepper with us!  Walking tours, restaurants, Civil War sites, and plenty of good shopping await.  Let’s support a fellow historic Virginia community and enjoy a day of exploration. If there is enough interest, we have been invited on a tour of the theater earlier in the day. 
 
Anyone wishing to attend should buy his or her own ticket on the State Theater website.  If you’re interested in the theater tour, meeting up with other HFFI members before the show, or carpooling please contact us at events@hffi.org for more details.
 
Going solo and worried you won’t know anyone?  Don’t fret, just let us know it’s only you attending and then come meet the HFFI representative before the show—you’ll be sure to have made friends before the night is over.