Historical Blogs by Guest Contributors

The Frontier Developer

Read the story of James Patton, who, as a major recruiter of settlement on the Virginia Frontier, drew the ire of the Shawnee.

Dr. Freeman H. Hart (1960)

Aerial view of a lush green landscape with forests and open fields under a cloudy sky.

The Revolutionary

Who was William Preston? Who were his rivals during the Revolutionary Era?

Richard Osborn (2008)

A white house with multiple windows and steps leading to the door is seen at sunset. The sky is painted with orange, pink, and purple hues, and there are trees and a grassy yard in the background.

The Freedman

What the life experiences of Zacharia Carr (a free person of color living in antebellum Montgomery County) teach us.

Dr. Dan Thorp (2021)

A small creek runs through a wooded area with trees and bushes, some with yellowing leaves, indicating autumn. The sky appears overcast, and some fallen leaves cover the ground.

The Settlement

How did the settlement of Draper’s Meadows create a foundation for expanded English-speaking settlement in the New River Valley?

Ryan Mays (2016)

Bronze statue of a woman in a dynamic pose, with one arm raised and her hand open, appearing to be in motion or reaching for something.

The Escapee

What were the details of Mary Draper Ingles’ daring getaway according to her son?

Col. John Ingles (1853)

A man dressed in traditional Scottish attire with a red plaid jacket and kilt, holding a camera.

The Governor

Why was Lord Dunmore’s War fought?

Dr. Glenn Williams (2024)

A Native American man with traditional clothing and face paint, holding a tomahawk and pointing towards the distance, standing in a natural outdoor setting.

The Cherokee War

What do we learn from transcribed Cherokee War documents?

Dr. Marshall’s NDIG/HIST 3174 Students from Virginia Tech (2026)

Sunset over a rural scene with a white house, leafless trees, a gravel path, and a grassy area

The Will of Col. William Preston

What does his last will and testament teach us about Preston’s relationships, worldview, and finances?

Edited by Elmer D. Johnson

A sunset or sunrise scene over a grassy field with a large, leafless tree in the foreground. There are other trees with leaves in the background, and a house or building with a porch can be seen to the right. The sky is filled with scattered clouds illuminated by the sun.