The History Press brings a new way of thinking to history publishing: seeking out history and heritage titles that are written by excellent historians capable of making their area of expertise understandable to a wide audience. We hope to play a part in the revival of interest in local and regional history and to form an integral part of a healthy history community.
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Catalogue—Virginia Titles

The History Press publishes high-quality history and heritage titles with a strong regional base. Our books help to revive and preserve the past in various regions throughout the United States, and we strive to make these histories accessible and available to a wide audience.

 

A Guide to Historic Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia
Jean L. Cooper

 Charlottesville and surrounding Albemarle County exude the grand atmosphere of a region steeped in some of our nation’s most unforgettable personalities and events— Thomas Jefferson, Stonewall Jackson and monuments of Confederate battles. Jean Cooper brings the area to life in this guide to Charlottesville’s most historic sections.

978-1-59629-173-7
144 pp.
$19.99
Over 40 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
August 2007|
A Guide to Historic Staunton, Virginia
Edmund D. Potter

 From the picturesque Wharf Area to the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson to the town’s many historically African American businesses, A Guide to Historic Staunton offers visitors and residents alike a deeper appreciation of their remarkable surroundings.

978-1-59629-543-8
128 pp.
$17.99
Over 75 Black & White Photographs

Publication Date:
September 2008|
A History of Chesapeake, Virginia
Raymond L. Harper

 In this exemplary volume, historian Raymond Harper traces Chesapeake-area settlement from Native Americans to early Europeans and continuing through the modern era. With fascinating detail, Harper presents the impact of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, the development of education and religion and the growth of one of the nation's most beloved cities.

978-1-59629-351-9
160 pp.
$19.99
Over 70 Black & White Photographs

Publication Date:
March 2008|
A History of Yorktown and its Victory Celebrations: Revival to Patriotism
Kathleen Manley

 Written by local Yorktown author Kathleen Manley, this book chronicles the history of Yorktown, Virginia, and the victory celebrations that have been undertaken through the generations to remember a historic time in America’s infancy.

978-1-59629-078-5
96 pp.
$17.99
Over 40 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
November 2005|
Blue Ridge Chronicles: A Decade of Dispatches from Southwest Virginia
Rex Bowman

 Many of the highlanders in Virginia's western mountains live in small communities with names such as Stonebruise, Novelty and Wangle Junction, and here their stories are chronicled by one of their own, Floyd County native and Pulitzer-nominated journalist Rex Bowman, roving reporter for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

978-1-59629-454-7
160 pp.
$19.99
Over 60 Black & White Photographs

Publication Date:
March 2008|
Built by Blacks: African American Architecture & Neighborhoods in Richmond, VA
Edited by Selden Richardson
Photographed by Maurice Duke
 Author Selden Richardson explains how iconic symbols of old Richmond and the generations of black laborers who helped assemble it are embodied in both the preserved and the forgotten architecture of the city.

978-1-59629-459-2
160 pp.
$24.99
Over 60 Black & White Photographs

Publication Date:
April 2008|
Fredericksburg, Virginia: Eclectic Histories for the Curious Reader
Ted Kamieniak

 Ted Kamieniak collected these fifteen superb articles to amaze and fascinate all who feel ”history” is simply a well-worn path. Each selection delivers fresh perspective and intriguing events connected to Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

978-1-59629-383-0
160 pp.
$19.99
Over 40 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
February 2008|
Ghent: John Graham’s Dream, Norfolk, Virginia’s Treasure
Amy Waters Yarsinske

 Ghent has a story to tell that transcends its historic port city lineage, reaching national importance in its planning and execution. Despite changing times and tastes, Ghent’s period architecture, tree-lined streets and attractive waterfront location combine to ensure that Ghent will remain a beloved, integral area of Norfolk for generations.

978-1-59629-187-4
192 pp.
$24.99
Over 150 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
October 2006|
Greater Raleigh Court: A History of Wasena, Virginia Heights, Norwich and Raleigh Court
C. Nelson Harris

 Mayor and author Nelson Harris tells the story of this neighborhood through an exploration of its old residential streets, its historic bridges and buildings—including the renowned Grandin Theater—and brings to life each era of a history that is marked by both controversy and pride.

978-1-59629-235-2
128 pp.
$19.99
Over 80 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
November 2007|
Greene County, Virginia: A Brief History
Donald D. Covey

 In this in-depth look at Greene County’s vibrant past, historian Donald D. Covey—former president of the county’s historical society—explores Greene County from the first settlement through the Civil War and beyond.

978-1-59629-311-3
128 pp.
$21.99
Over 30 Black and White

Publication Date:
November 2007|
Haunted Richmond: The Shadows of Shockoe
Scott Bergman
Sandi Bergman
 Step into the shadows and take a tour of thirteen of Richmond’s most haunted sites. Discover the long-forgotten Civil War hospitals of Shockoe Bottom, where hundreds of wounded soldiers met their end. These stories and more await as you discover the mysterious, tragic and terrifying events of Richmond’s dark past.

978-1-59629-320-5
128 pp.
$19.99
Over 50 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
October 2007|
Haunted Virginia Beach
Alpheus J. Chewning

 In this collection of more than forty chilling tales, Al Chewning sheds an eerie light on Virginia Beach’s past, and reveals the ghostly specters and haunts that make the destination hotspot a ghoulish, otherworldly realm by night. Includes tales of the “wailing woman” at the old Coast Guard station, the paranormal phenomena of the Mayflower Building, and many more.

978-1-59629-188-1
128 pp.
$19.99
Over 30 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
October 2006|
Herndon: A History in Images
Charles V. Mauro

 A companion to Chuck Mauro’s Herndon: A Town and its History, this compilation of modern and archival photographs provides a window to Herndon’s past and illustrates the diverse aspects of this town since its founding through to the atmosphere and architecture of the town today.

978-1-59629-037-2
160 pp.
$19.99
Over 240 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
June 2005|
Herndon: A Town and its History
Charles V. Mauro

 A definitive volume about a Virginia town steeped in history, and enriched by a multitude of exceptional individuals who have shaped Herndon during its fascinating past.

978-1-59629-026-6
224 pp.
$24.99
80 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
November 2004|
Historic Churches of Fredericksburg: Houses of the Holy
Michael Aubrecht

 Aubrecht recalls stories of rebellion, racism and reconstruction as experienced by Secessionists, Unionists and the African American population in Fredericksburg’s landmark churches during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras.

978-1-59629-393-9
128 pp.
$19.99
Over 50 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
August 2008|
Historic Haunts of Winchester: A Ghostly Trip Through the Past
Mac Rutherford

 In Historic Haunts of Winchester, author Mac Rutherford presents Winchester’s haunted past as never before. From the ghost of Tillie Russell—frequently seen running through the streets in search of a wounded captain—to ghostly echoes of artillery fire, Rutherford relates a spine-tingling record of spirits and specters.

978-1-59629-297-0
96 pp.
$19.99
Over 30 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
October 2007|
Louisa County, Virginia: A Brief History
Pattie Gordon Pavlansky Cooke

 From Patrick Henry’s seminal speech for Louisa against tyranny to a county chief justice too fat to ride horseback, Louisa has a rich and fascinating heritage. Cooke chronicles the county’s coming of age as part of the new United States of America, retaining its small, tightly knit communities while embracing inevitable progress.

978-1-59629-376-2
128 pp.
$19.99
Over 40 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
July 2008|
Montpelier and the Madisons: House, Home and American Heritage
Matthew G. Hyland

 Montpelier has been occupied by many historical figures, but the period during which the Madisons possessed it remains the most intriguing. Historian Matthew G. Hyland’s study presents the history of one the Piedmont’s great family estates.

978-1-59629-277-2
128 pp.
$19.99
Over 20 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
August 2007|
Remembering Fairfax County, Virginia
Karl Reiner

 The historical articles in this collection chronicle the past of Fairfax County, Virginia, during some of the most influential periods in American history. Fairfax County has changed dramatically, but the events and people that shaped this section of northern Virginia have not been forgotten.

978-1-59629-096-9
128 pp.
$18.99
3 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
April 2006|
Remembering Jamestown, Virginia: Growing Up in the Shadow of John Smith
Rodney B. Taylor

 In this warm, accessible colletion, Taylor's boyhood tales of crabbing and fishing on the James River blend with stories of the dedicated preservationists who made Historic Jamestowne the landmark it is today.

978-1-59629-369-4
128 pp.
$19.99
Over 55 Black & White Photographs

Publication Date:
March 2008|
Remembering Lynchburg and Central Virginia: Articles from the News and Advance
Darrell Laurant

 This collection of writings unearths the various layers of history that have shaped Lynchburg and the surrounding area. From the banks and waters of the James River, which runs through Lynchburg, to Thomas Jefferson, who was a frequent visitor to the city and neighboring Bedford County, the history of the Lynchburg area speaks volumes to the inquisitive visitor or lifelong resident alike.

978-1-59629-082-2
96 pp.
$16.99

Publication Date:
October 2005|
Remembering Winchester, Virginia: The Best of
Adrian O'Connor

 Winchester, Virginia—in the heart of the northern Shenandoah Valley—is a city steeped in history. This collection of historical vignettes reveals the stories of the people who have shaped Winchester's history, and their impact on the larger history of Virginia.

978-1-59629-100-3
128 pp.
$18.99
Over 20 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
April 2006|
Richmond in Ragtime: Socialists, Suffragists, Sex & Murder
Harry Kollatz Jr.
Foreword by Anne Thomas Soffee
 The three years from 1909 to 1911 were busy ones in Richmond; what with exotic flying machines and automobile endurance contests; and the recording of Polk Miller and his Old South Quartette. Join local author Harry Kollatz Jr.(True Richmond Stories) as he revives the city of a century ago for a tour of Richmond in Ragtime.

978-1-59629-443-1
224 pp.
$24.99
Over 100 Black & White Photographs

Publication Date:
October 2008|
South Norfolk, Virginia 1661-2005: A Definitive History, Volume I
Raymond L. Harper

 In this first volume, lifelong resident and local historian Raymond Harper honors the dynamic history of South Norfolk by focusing not only on the founding fathers and early industries that shaped the city, but also upon the lives of everyday families and individuals that have made South Norfolk home.

978-1-59629-065-5
224 pp.
$24.99
Over 190 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
December 2005|
South Norfolk, Virginia 1661-2005: A Definitive History, Volume II
Raymond L. Harper

 In the second volume of this definitive history, Raymond Harper continues to chronicle the rise of South Norfolk. The result is an accessible and entertaining narrative that recounts the community's history and the topical histories of many civic organizations, the local government and leading businesses.

978-1-59629-066-2
192 pp.
$24.99
Over 170 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
December 2005|
South Norfolk, Virginia 1661-2005: Volume III, A Visual History
Raymond L. Harper

 With this third and final volume of definitive history, lifelong resident, author and historian Raymond Harper portrays in pictures what his other books on South Norfolk depict in words. Decade by decade, this book provides a comprehensive look at the area’s past, featuring poignant photographs that capture the spirit and charm of South Norfolk’s inspiring history.

978-1-59629-123-2
128 pp.
$19.99
Over 170 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
October 2006|
Southside Virginia: Echoing Through History
Herman Melton

 A unique history permeates Southside Virginia, a grouping of seven picturesque counties in south central Virginia. In this compelling new book, author and historian Herman Melton explores the past of this beautiful area, revealing a history that is both illuminating and tumultuous and spans the gamut of the American experience.

978-1-59629-137-9
128 pp.
$18.99
Over 10 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
December 2006|
The Civil War in Fairfax County: Civilians and Soldiers
Charles V. Mauro

 This book is an important glimpse into the everyday lives of those in Fairfax County-both soldiers and civilians-who lived through the most turbulent four years in American history, in a county that was occupied by both the Confederate and Union armies throughout the Civil War.

978-1-59629-148-5
160 pp.
$21.99
Over 40 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
November 2006|
The Civil War in Loudoun County, Virginia: A History of Hard Times
Stevan F. Meserve

 In this look at Loudoun County's role in the Civil War, historian Stevan Meserve narrates not only the large-scale fighting at Ball's Bluff in 1861 and in the Loudoun Valley cavalry battles of 1863, but also the lives of the citizens who sacrificed their crops and livestock, cared for the wounded and buried the dead of storied regiments such as White's Comanches.

978-1-59629-378-6
128 pp.
$19.99
Over 40 Black & White Photographs

Publication Date:
March 2008|
The Elizabeth River
Amy Waters Yarsinske

 This definitive volume traces more than four centuries of the Elizabeth River's history. From the Great Bridge Lock to the Norfolk Naval Station, The Elizabeth River is a living body of water with a captivating past.

978-1-59629-207-9
384 pp.
$29.99
Over 190 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
June 2007|
The History of Ironclads: The Power of Iron Over Wood
John V. Quarstein

 This landmark book documents the dramatic history of Civil War ironclad warships and reveals how famous vessels like the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia revolutionized naval warfare. Extensively researched and stunningly written, this volume appeals to Civil War, naval and military history buffs everywhere.

978-1-59629-118-6
288 pp.
$24.99
Over 80 Black and White Photographs and Illustrations

Publication Date:
March 2007|
Tragedy in the Shenandoah Valley: The Story of the Summers-Koontz Execution
Robert H. Moore II

 Exhaustively researched well written, this book exposes one of the great and largely unknown tragedies of the Civil War—the story of the Summers-Koontz execution in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Civil War historian and author Robert H. Moore II brings this shocking story to life with a clarity that will appeal to Civil War experts and enthusiasts alike.

978-1-59629-165-2
128 pp.
$19.99

Publication Date:
August 2006|
True Richmond Stories: Historic Tales from Virginia's Capital
Harry Kollatz Jr.

 Scene of Patrick Henry’s “give me liberty or give me death” speech, Richmond pulses with history. Since 1992, Richmond magazine columnist Harry Kollatz Jr. has recorded the city’s heritage in “Flashback.” This collection of Kollatz’s most entertaining columns will delight all who love the River City.

978-1-59629-268-0
160 pp.
$19.99
Over 45 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
September 2007|
Under the Clock: The Story of Miller & Rhoads
Earle Dunford
George Bryson
 Earle Dunford, longtime city editor for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and George Bryson, a Miller & Rhoads veteran for thirty-nine years, usher us behind the scenes at the famous department store, sharing anecdotes they have collected from the many devoted shoppers and loyal employees who remember the good old days at Miller & Rhoads.

978-1-59629-529-2
128 pp.
$19.99
Over 100 Black & White Photographs

Publication Date:
November 2008|
Virginia Beach Shipwrecks
Alpheus Chewning

 The waters of coastal Virginia swirl with tales both tragic and heroic. Join Virginia Beach native Alpheus Chewning as he recounts harrowing stories of storms at sea, loss of life and fortune and the heroism of the United States Life-Saving Service.

978-1-59629-474-5
128 pp.
$19.99
Over 40 Black & White Photographs

Publication Date:
September 2008|
Virginia Horse Racing: Triumphs of the Turf
Virginia C. Johnson
Barbara Crookshanks
 Virginia, mother of presidents, is also the mother of American horse racing. Follow the bloodlines of three foundation sires of the American Thoroughbred through generations of rollicking races and larger-than-life grandees wagering kingly stakes, sometimes on horses not yet born.

978-1-59629-439-4
160 pp.
$19.99
Over 40 Black and White Photographs

Publication Date:
August 2008|