When we trace the lineage of modern mystery fiction, few names loom as large and as enigmatic as Edgar Allan Poe. His contributions to the genre not only established foundational […]
Author Archives: Sharon Virts
The Unexpected Heroes in Historical Fiction
As a historical fiction author, my characters are not just figments of my imagination—they are the heart and soul of my narratives, and sometimes, they have minds of their own. […]
Dorothea Dix: A Beacon of Hope in Civil War Nursing and Mental Health Reform
Today, we celebrate the monumental contributions of Dorothea Dix, a true pioneer in the field of mental health care and a formidable figure during the Civil War era. Dix’s unyielding […]
From Idea to Bookshelf: Inside an Author’s Odyssey
The path from the initial spark of an idea to a book taking its place on library shelves and in bookstores nationwide is a process replete with creativity, dedication, and […]
The Hardship and Hope of Virginian’s Reconstruction
Reconstruction brought both hardship and hope. Virginians rebuilt lives from the ashes of conflict, navigating the new social fabric. The Reconstruction era, following the devastating Civil War, was a time […]
The Influence of African Culinary Traditions on Southern Cuisine
The Reconstruction Era in Virginia was a melting pot of flavors. Freedmen introduced African culinary traditions, influencing Southern cuisine. The Reconstruction Era in Virginia marked a period of profound transformation […]
Education in Reconstruction Era Virginia
In the aftermath of the Civil War, Virginia became a stage for an unprecedented transformation in the realm of education. The abolishment of slavery opened the doors to a revolution […]
Virginia’s Freedmen’s Bureau
The establishment of the Freedmen’s Bureau in the aftermath of the Civil War marked a significant intervention by the federal government to address the immediate needs of the newly freed […]
Virginia Reenters the Union in 1871
In early 1871, as part of changes brought about by the Reconstruction Acts, Virginia reentered back into the Union. These Acts, a series of legislation aimed at restructuring the Southern […]
Virginia’s First Black Legislators
The Reconstruction period in Virginia heralded a seismic shift in the political arena, introducing changes that were both radical and restorative. For the first time in American history, African Americans […]
