Fredericksburg-area residents are encouraged to help save a part of their state's heritage by sharing original Civil War letters, diaries and photos with archivists from the Library of Virginia. Of special interest are "materials created during the period 1859-1867 that reflect social, political, military, business and religious life in Virginia during the period of the Civil War and the early period of Reconstruction." The original documents will be scanned and returned.

The Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center, partnering with the Library of Virginia and the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, will host this one-day event at the museum's Catherine W. Jones McKann Center on May 7 from 9 am - 5 pm. The scanned materials will be part of a statewide, online collection of original Civil War manuscripts that still remain in private hands. For more information, click here.

Appointments are now being made, and are strongly encouraged. A limited number of walk-ins will be accommodated as scheduling allows. To make an appointment to have your documents digitized, contact Heidi Krofft, special events coordinator, at hkrofft@famcc.org or 540/371-3037, ext. 141.