History buffs, take note: A new group for Revolutionary War enthusiasts is coming to the Historic Triangle.
The Williamsburg-Yorktown American Revolution Round Table will hold its debut meeting Wednesday.
According to Sean Heuvel, vice president for the Williamsburg-Yorktown ARRT, American history round tables sprang up around the country at the start of the Civil War sesquicentennial. They provide a forum for interested parties to discuss history and share ideas.
Heuvel said though the Civil War round table is well-attended in Williamsburg, fans of American Revolution study had nothing like it to attend.
Unlike hereditary groups like Daughters of Revolution, round tables are a loose confederation of clubs, open to anyone who wants to learn more.
“I like that spirit of inclusion,” Heuvel said.
Gerald Holland, president of AART, said the Revolution often takes a backseat to the attention given to the Civil War nationwide. Heuvel said earlier history does not demand the “immense fascination” of a country divided, and that there might be one American Revolution round table for every five that discuss the Civil War.
The Revolution-focused group in Richmond proves to be too far a drive for Historic Triangle residents and others throughout Hampton Roads, Holland said.
He said Williamsburg is also an ideal place for a meeting of historical minds. With the local history, Colonial Williamsburg and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, plus William & Mary and other schools in the area, there are plenty of experts and enthusiasts alike.
Both Holland and Heuvel want their ARRT to be a welcoming club for a wide range of people, including local high school and college students. There are no age or education restrictions for joining.
The pair are using their historical connections – Holland used to work for Colonial Williamsburg and Heuvel is an American history professor at Christopher Newport University – along with a small board to drum up support to launch the group.
The round table will hold meetings on the first Wednesday of even-numbered months. (The Richmond group meets on odd-numbered months.) Those meetings will feature a speaker on the Revolution and a question-and-answer session.
The guest for Feb. 5 is Bill Welsch from the Richmond ARRT, who will discuss “Washington’s Lieutenants: The Generals of the Continental Army.”
As the club grows and gains steady membership, it hopes to establish small field trips around the state and a scholarship fund, Holland said.
In addition to those goals, the group seeks to advance scholarship in that period of time. Students might use it as an outlet to present their work outside of the academy, and all professionals could share notes in a growing network of shared interests.
They also hope to collaborate with local museums and work on historical preservation projects.
The ARRT is not professional association, though, and Heuvel stressed camaraderie is an important element in addition to academics.
“We’re not trying to be an ivory tower sort of thing,” he said.
Getting the group started has been a labor of love for Heuvel, and he hopes to see it become the pre-eminent round table on the American Revolution.
That means starting with a local audience first, said Holland, before they branch out regionally and nationally.
The Williamsburg-Yorktown ARRT will meet at 6:30 p.m. in room 204 of the Bruton Heights Education Center, located at 301 1st St.
For more information and future events, visit their website.
