Warren Heritage Society producing a community-oriented calendar for 2019

Original images on white porcelain, hand painted or tinted by an unknown artist. Photos show Byrd and Hannah (Hottel) Clapsaddle taken at time of their marriage in 1868, probably in Front Royal.

Many families in this area have strong ties that run for generations back to Front Royal and Warren County, according to Warren Heritage Society (WHS) Executive Director and she’s hoping that folks are willing to share some of their memories.

In an effort to help rev up local residents’ interest in their heritage, and also to raise funds for the local nonprofit, the organization is gearing up to produce a community-oriented calendar for 2019. This will be achieved in two ways.

First, a photo contest is underway, with the winning selections being featured as calendar-month pictures and the cover of the 2019 calendar. Second, patrons can “claim” a day by purchasing space to put a special message on the calendar.

Imagine your parents’ delight in seeing, “Happy 50th Anniversary John and Jane Doe” on their special day! It’s a great way to recognize a child for a special achievement, or just to say “I love you.” Ms. Marshner says some local businesses have even claimed days that coincide with the anniversary of their grand opening.

Whether you are around the corner or a pinpoint on a map, anyone with an interest in—or connection to– Front Royal and Warren County is invited to join in on the fun. It costs just $20 to claim a day and create your own personal message. Marshner said some dates have already been filled and she’s been fielding calls from citizens and businesses alike. “Imagine what a memento it will be for the future!” she exclaimed.

Days are first-come, first-served, and the calendar will go into production sometime next month, so the director suggested that folks move fast. Call the Society right away to claim your day at 540-636-1446 *#, email: whsexecutivedirector@comcast.net.

Marshner said she hopes to generate a large amount of photo content from the community through the photo contest. “Send in your pictures of important events in your life – anything from Front Royal’s or Warren County’s life. Your school plays last week or ten years ago are history now — so why not immortalize it and send some pictures to Warren Heritage? Maybe it will end up being chosen for inclusion in the calendar!” she said in an interview with the Royal Examiner.

Photo submissions can be brought into the WHS, mailed in or emailed in. The suggested donation (tax-deductible) is $15 for one picture, $25 for two, $30 for three. Checks can be mailed in or dropped off with photos. Patrons can also call the WHS at 540-636-1446 and provide credit card information by phone. The deadline for photo submissions is Dec. 10. Please include information about the photo’s content, what it depicts, and identities of those pictured, if available.

Businesses that might be interested in advertising in the calendar are encouraged to contact the Warren Heritage Society, according to Marshner. She said it can be a very cost-effective way for an entity to get its name in front of a lot of local customers for a month at a time. While some advertisers have purchased ads in the upcoming 2019 calendar, there is room for some more, the executive director said.

More about the image:

Original images on white porcelain, hand painted or tinted by an unknown artist. Photos show Byrd and Hannah (Hottel) Clapsaddle taken at time of  their marriage in 1868, probably in Front Royal.

Originals owned by Dr. Gene Clapsaddle of Moneta VA, who received them from his father, Clarence Clapsaddle, a son of Byrd. Byrd enlisted June 1861 in Co. E, 7th VA Cavalry under Turner Ashby. He reenlisted on 1 May 1862 at Conrad’s Store in the same outfit for the duration of the war. In September of 1862, the 7th along with the 2nd, 6th, 12th regiments and the 17th Battalion, were organized into the Laurel Brigade.

Byrd served throughout the war, having at least one horse shot out from under him. Byrd was captured by the enemy 29 Sep 1864 at Port Republic and exchanged on 17 Mar 1865 at Aiken’s Landing after arriving from the prisoner of war camp at Point Lookout MD. He was paroled on 25 Apr 1865 at Winchester. The Clapsaddles had 9 children after the war, 8 of whom survived to adulthood, and operated a farm off Totten Lane near Riverton in the Fork District north of Front Royal.

The Hottels were one of the earliest settlers of the Shenandoah Valley and one of the most prominent families of the lower Shenandoah. The Clapsaddles predate the formation of Warren County, having migrated from Pennsylvania to Frederick Co VA sometime prior to 1830. Byrd Clapsaddle also served on the committee for the unveiling of the Mosby Monument in Prospect Hill Cemetery dedicate to the memory of those Rangers who were executed while prisoners of war.