The Children of Shenandoah, a group of descendants of those displaced by the creation of Shenandoah National Park, will host a homecoming Sunday, Sept. 28 at the Mountain Museum at Criglersville.
Descendants are encouraged to attend, bringing with them stories and pictures from their families, as well as artifacts. The event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Nancy Hawkins Knighting will serve as the guest speaker. She is a lifelong resident of Madison County and has spent years researching her family history.
Four authors will be present and have their books for sale.
Kim Richardson is the author of “The Sons of Skyland,” the story of a reluctant hero finding love, respect and self-worth as he and his friends build a new national park. She is a historical fiction author and a 30-year veteran teacher of middle school English. She spent her childhood summers with her family on a 17,500-acre Boy Scout Reservation in the Blue Ridge Mountains and lives near Shenandoah National Park.
Stephanie Gardner is the author of “Rattlesnake Granny” and “Rattlesnake Granny Strikes Again.” The books tell the story of Nancy Pullum who lives alone on the Blue Ridge mountainside in the 1800s selling snake oil medicine. How will she and her neighbors in Thornton Gap experience life during and after the American Civil War? Gardner works as a librarian and lives in the Shenandoah Valley. She grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina and has roots in the mountains of Southwest Virginia.
Kristie Kendall is the author of “These Hills Were Home: A Walking History Guide to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Northern Greene and Western Madison County Virginia.” She has deep roots in Madison County and has degrees in history and historic preservation. She currently manages a small business focusing on historic research, land ownership mapping and preservation consulting.
Janis Norton is the author of “What the Red Oak Saw,” the story of five generations of a family who flees from Ireland to rural Virginia, including their adaptation following the seizure of their land to create Shenandoah National Park. Norton is a resident of the Shenandoah Valley and is a teacher and consultant to adult learners.
Additionally, food will be offered for sale and museum tours will be conducted every 20 minutes or as needed. Attendees are encouraged to bring cash is their is no internet service.
