Bon Air Historical Society
"Partying Victorian Style" by Deborah Alsko, The Backpack Storyteller
November 11, 2018 at 2:00PM - 3:00PM
Bon Air Christian Church, 2071 Buford Rd.
Deborah Alsko, "The Backpack Storyteller," is a former Chesterfield County elementary teacher with a background in both education and recreation. Her unique style along with the magic of storytelling engages her audience.
Deborah has presented programs for public libraries and schools in the City of Richmond and Chesterfield County, the Dogwood Dell Festival of the Arts, as well as various area preschools and retirement homes. She is active in the storytelling community and currently serves as president of the Richmond Story League.
Check out The Back Pack Storyteller.Program free for BAHS members, public $5 payable at event.
"Victorian Spiritualism" by Christopher Semtner, curator of the Edgar Allan Poe Museum
October 14, 2018 at 2:00PM - 3:00PM
Bon Air Christian Church, 2071 Buford Rd.
From seances to spirit writing, the second half of the nineteenth century witnessed an explosion of fascination with the afterlife. While devout Spiritualists huddled in darkened rooms in anticipation of hearing from the spirit world, charlatans obligingly levitated tables, projected ectoplasm, and photographed “spirits” for them. Just in time for Halloween, Poe Museum Curator and author Chris Semtner will introduce you to the darkly bizarre world of Victorian Spiritualism.
About Chris Semtner: The curator of the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond, Chris Semtner has written, co-written, or edited several books on art, popular culture, and history. He has written articles for Biography.com, Crime Writers’ Chronicles, The Edgar Allan Poe Review, and Resources for American Literary Studies. Semtner regularly speaks to groups around the United States about Poe, visual art, horror, and dark history and has been interviewed for documentaries airing on PBS, C-Span, BBC4, Military History Channel, and other networks. His museum exhibits have earned the recognition of TIME Magazine, The New York Times, and other major publications. An award-winning, internationally exhibited visual artist, Semtner has works in public collections including the Virginia Historical Society, the City of Baltimore, and the University of Maryland. His most recent books are Poe in Richmond: The Raven in the River City and The Poe Shrine: Building the World’s Finest Edgar Allan Poe Collection. His books are available on Amazon and Barnesandnoble.com. Program free for BAHS members, public $5 payable at event.
Holiday Social
December 9, 2018 at 2:00PM - 4:30PM
Location TBD
End of the year member social. Refreshments provided by BAHS. Please bring a favorite dish to share. This is always a merry and joyous event, full of community fellowship.