Media Contact:
Diane Bartlett
Director of Marketing Communications
Phone: (703) 777-2414
FAX: (703) 777-3282
E-mail: dbartlett@morvenpark.org

LEESBURG, VIRGINIA (February 2003) Local historian and author Wynne Saffer will present a lecture on “Harry Byrd vs. Westmoreland Davis: Political Foes in Virginia” on Sunday, March 9, 2003 at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia, starting at 3:00 p.m. The talk is co-sponsored by the Thomas Balch Library and the Loudoun Historical Society.

Included in the program will be comments on the similar backgrounds but combative relationship of Virginia Governors Westmoreland Davis (1918-1922) and Harry F. Byrd (1926-1930), and the “machine politics” in place in Loudoun County and elsewhere in Virginia at the time.

The program will be held in the Vaughn Room at the Coach House at Morven Park, and will be followed by a tour of the historic governor’s mansion. Admission to the lecture is free; however, Morven Park will kindly accept donations to help with conservation work of a vintage 1917 issue of the former Loudoun Times newspaper that carried the announcement of Westmoreland Davis’ election as governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Additionally, Wynne Saffer will be signing copies of his book, Loudoun Votes, 1867-1966: A Civil War Legacy, which will be available for purchase after the conclusion of the program.

Morven Park is a 1,200-acre historic landmark estate located on Old Waterford Road, northwest of Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia. The last residence of former Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis, Morven Park includes a Greek Revival-style mansion, the Museum of Hounds and Hunting, the Winmill Carriage Collection, and the Morven Park Equestrian Center.

Seating for this event is limited and reservations are required. Please RSVP by March 7th by calling the Morven Park office at (703) 777-2414.