231st Anniversary Commemoration of The Crossing of the Dan

February 16-18, 2012

The Prizery ~ 700 Bruce Street~ South Boston, Virginia 24592

 

Schedule of Events

• Thursday, February 16, 2012, 7:00 p.m.
  • Halifax County Middle School Sixth Grade Crossing Players and Singers Perform The Crossing of the Dan in the Chastain Theater

• Friday, February 17, 2012, 9:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
  • Halifax County Middle School Sixth Grade Students Attend The Crossing of the Dan
  • Student Essay Winner Recognition

• Saturday, February 18, 2012, 10:00 a.m.
  • Commemoration Program and Wreath Laying Ceremony, Chastain Theater
    Keynote address will be delivered by Philip Greenwalt, an interpretive ranger at George Washington’s Birthplace National Memorial in Westmoreland County. He will speak on Otho Williams and the 1st Maryland Continental Regiment.

Berryman Green Chapter, Virginia DAR, Dan River Chapter, Virginia Society, SAR, Halifax County Historical Society, and Halifax County Middle School are co-hosting the 231st Anniversary Commemoration of the Crossing of the Dan and invite you to attend and participate. Free public events are planned for Thursday night, February 16th and Saturday, February 18th, 2012, at The Prizery, the community and arts center, located at 700 Bruce Street, South Boston, Virginia.

The “Retreat to the Dan” began in January 1781, following an American victory at Cowpens in South Carolina and became a “Race to the Dan” across North Carolina and into Virginia. The race was won by General Nathanael Greene with his “Crossing of the Dan” on February 14th at Irvin’s and Boyd’s ferries on the Dan River. This tactical retreat saved the American Southern Army and was one of the turning points in the war. The historical significance of the event places the Dan River crossing on a unique list of landmark sites of the American Revolution.

On Thursday, February 16th, at 7:00 p. m., in the Chastain Theater, the 6th grade Crossing Players and Singers from Halifax County Middle School will present the story through verse and song for the community. The evening’s activities will include recognition of the DAR essay contest winners. On Friday the program will be repeated for all 6th grade students.

On Saturday, February 18th, at 10:00 a. m., the SAR and DAR will host the annual Crossing of the Dan Commemoration program in the Chastain Theater. It will include greetings and the presentation of wreaths by organizations such as the SAR and DAR, and local officials. Also included will be the recognition of the 6th grade essay contest winner and an address by Philip Greenwalt who is an interpretive ranger at George Washington’s Birthplace National Memorial in Westmoreland County. He will speak on Otho Williams and the 1st Maryland Continental Regiment.

The permanent exhibit on the Crossing of the Dan will be open for visitations and walks to the actual Boyd’s Ferry crossing site will be available before and after the morning program. A living history encampment and re-enactors are anticipated, weather permitting.

A catered BBQ luncheon in the Banquet Hall at The Prizery, following the February 18th morning program, will be available for $12.00 by paid reservations.

Please complete and return the response form to participate in the Saturday wreath presentation program, and with payments for lunch reservations, to be received by February 10, 2012. For questions, more information, or special needs, contact DAR Chapter Regent Anne Raab at tsraab@comcast.net or 434-470-1350; or SAR Chapter Past-President, Douglas Powell at Douglas@BanisterRiver.com or 434-476-2483.

Anne Raab, Regent, Berryman Green Chapter, VADAR
Douglas, President, Dan River Chapter, VASSAR
Barbara Bass, President, Halifax County Historical Society
Sarah Graves, Educator, Halifax County Middle School