Historian Josh Howard to be at Clifton Forge Public Library
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Clifton Forge, VA (Oct. 10, 2019) - The Clifton Forge Public Library is pleased to offer Dr. Josh Howard’s program, “Very Good for a Railroad Town: Clifton Forge Baseball and the New South.” The public is cordially invited to attend his presentation on Thursday, October 17. It will be held in the Michael Armstrong Community Room of the Clifton Forge Public Library and will begin at 6:00 p.m.
“Clifton Forge was, and still is, a small railroad town in the Appalachian Mountains,” Dr. Howard begins. “Economic prospects looked bright in the late nineteenth century with the expansion of rail, industry, and manufacturing throughout the area.
“The Cliftons,” Dr. Howard continues, “represented the town far and wide during the 1890s. Their particular brand of ‘gentlemanly’ baseball -- as well as their rivalry with Covington -- set parameters for Clifton Forge's development in the New South.
“Experts predicted Clifton Forge could become ‘The Altoona of the South’ while boosters promised a new version of Pittsburgh. So why didn't this happen?” he asks.
Dr. Howard’s investigation of this question will include stories of violence, abandoned projects, and a crack baseball team.
Dr. Howard is a Public Historian with Passel Historical Consultants, which was recently awarded the National Council on Public History’s Excellence in Consulting Award for 2019.
Dr. Howard earned his Ph.D. in Public History from Middle Tennessee State University and has since put his training to use working on consulting projects with the National Park Service, National Baseball Hall of Fame, and toward efforts to save Green Pastures in Longdale.
Having grown up in Sharon and on Clifton Forge’s McCormick Blvd. and W. Pine St., Dr. Howard says he is “thrilled to come home and share these stories.”
Following the program, Dr. Howard will encourage participation with questions, comments, and additional information or stories the audience may wish to share.
Admission is free.
The Friends of the Library will provide light refreshments.
The Clifton Forge Public Library is located at 535 Church Street.
For information on any library program, call 863-2519.
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