Noted Civil War historian, author to visit Nelson County

James I. “Bud” Robertson Jr., director of Virginia Tech’s Virginia Center for Civil War Studies and a nationally known Civil War historian and author, will be in Nelson County on Thursday, July 21, for two appearances: a reception at the Nelson Center and an address on the topic “Why the Civil War Still Lives” at Nelson High School.

The events are being held to benefit the recently established Oakland Museum of History, a historic Nelson County tavern and house, built in 1838, that is located on a 10-acre estate along what is now U.S. 29.

Robertson, the great-grandson of a Confederate soldier, is an Alumni Distinguished Professor of History at Virginia Tech and is probably best known for his critically acclaimed, comprehensive biography Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend. Robertson’s most recent book, Soldier of Southwestern Virginia: The Civil War Letters of Captain John Preston Sheffey, published in 2004, documents the professional and personal life of a cavalry captain of the Smyth Dragoons.

Robertson also served as chief historical consultant to the movie Gods and Generals, the first film to feature General “Stonewall” Jackson as the main character.

The Nelson County Historical Society and Oakland Museum of History are sponsoring Robertson’s appearance. He will be on hand for a reception and informal discussion session ($25 per person, including admission to the lecture) at the Nelson Center, located on Thomas Nelson Highway in Lovingston, Va., from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, followed by his 8 p.m. presentation at Nelson County High School ($10 admission for the lecture only).

Reservations for either or both of Robertson’s appearances may be sent to Nelson County Museum of History, P.O. Box 39, Lovingston, VA 22949.