The Melungeon Heritage Association is meeting this year at Wytheville, Virginia, June 20th, 21st, and 22nd for its 23rd Union with the theme, “Melungeon Women.” The Association welcomes those who have proven Melungeon ancestry, probable Melungeon ancestry, and those who have none at all and simply an interest in Melungeon history and genealogy, which is also part of Appalachian history and within the fabric of American history. The fee is $10 for any or all three days.
Persons arriving Thursday will have an opportunity to visit the Edith Bolling Wilson Museum and learn of the First Lady descended from Pocahontas. Persons attending Friday will have an opportunity to meet and learn about early Melungeon families in Burke’s Garden, a lush valley and geological wonder in the Virginia Blue Ridge mountains, and George Vanderbilt’s first choice for the Biltmore House (For car-pooling, meet at Wytheville, 10 a.m.). This is followed by a reception at the Bolling Wilson Hotel, at 7 p. m. Saturday, June 22nd is the day for speakers on the theme “Melungeon Women” at the Meeting Center in Wytheville. Speakers will present Melungeon women in literature, the true story of Mahala Collins Mullins, and stories of their own maternal ancestors. Saturday’s full schedule begins at 9 a. m.
To pre-register, click on the button to the left, with payment on arrival at either the Bolling Wilson Hotel MHA table or Wytheville Meeting Center MHA table. A limited number of rooms at a special rate are reserved at the Bolling Wilson Hotel, Wytheville. Call (276) 223-2333 for reservations and say you are attending the Melungeon Heritage Association conference. For questions, email the Melungeon Heritage Association at MHAinc2000@yahoo.com
For more detailed information, see the schedule below:
23rd Union Schedule, Wytheville, Virginia June 20, 21, and 22, 2019
Thursday, June 20
3:00 p. m. From Wytheville to the White House: A Tour of the Edith Bolling
Wilson Birthplace Museum. Meet at the Edith Bolling Wilson
Museum, 145 E Main St., Wytheville, VA 24382. $5/person. Optional
visit to the Edith Bolling Wilson cenotaph, East End Cemetery, 800 E
Main St, Wytheville, VA 24382
Friday, June 21- Tour of Burke’s Garden
10:00 a. m. Leave Wytheville (drive on your own or car-pool. Directions provided)
11:30 a. m. Arrive Tazewell and Lunch at Your Grate Escape, 2871 Fincastle
Turnpike, North Tazewell, VA 24630
12:45 p. m. Leave Tazewell
1:15 p. m. Arrive Burke’s Garden
1:30 p. m. Discuss—Burke’s Garden Geology and History
2:00 p. m. Burke’s Garden Artisan Guild Studio Tour
2:30 p. m. Discuss—Melungeon Connections in the Garden
3:00 p. m. Leave Burke’s Garden
4:00 p. m. Arrive Wytheville
7:00 p. m. Reception- Bolling Wilson Hotel, 170 E Main St, Wytheville, VA
24382 (light fare)
Saturday, June 22 – Wytheville Meeting Center, 333 Community Blvd, Wytheville, VA 24382
9:00-9:10 a. m. Scott Withrow, President; S. J. Arthur, Pres. Emeritus – Welcome
9:10-10:00 a. m. Katherine Vande Brake, PHD – Melungeon Women in Literature
10:10-11:15 a. m. Melungeon Women Panel Discussion
11:15-1:00 Lunch
1:00-1:50 p. m. Lynda Logan and Stephanie Musick –Who Do You Think You Are?
Melungeon Mitochondrial DNA
2:00-2:50 p. m. Edward Davis IV, PhD – A Goins Grandmother
3:00-3:50 p. m. Wayne Winkler – The Walter Plecker Exemptions
4:00-4:45 p m. Book signing and family discussions
4:45-5:15 p. m. Scott Withrow, Heather Andolina – General Meeting