WHEREAS, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, a private, nonprofit educational organization that works to study, preserve, and promote the history of Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville, celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2015; and

WHEREAS, organized by a group of 200 local residents on April 4, 1940, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society set out to locate and preserve economic, religious, political, and social records from past generations to ensure that future historians would have an accurate, complete representation of life in the region; and

WHEREAS, located in the historic McIntire Building, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society has facilitated the collection and storage of such records, as well as other printed materials and artifacts; the society also encourages amateur research through various activities, such as annual essay contests; and

WHEREAS, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society's library contains over 6,000 books and bound periodicals, as well as manuscripts, maps, pamphlets, newspapers, and vertical files; its archival collection houses more than 3,000 artifacts and more than 60,000 photographs; and

WHEREAS, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society has published an annual scholarly journal, the Magazine of Albemarle County History, since 1940 and a newsletter, The Bulletin, since 1970; and

WHEREAS, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society has also published numerous books, including Pursuits of War: The People of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia in the Second World War, and Albemarle: Jefferson's County, 1727-1976; and

WHEREAS, engaging residents of and visitors to the region, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society hosts walking tours, exhibitions, and events; the annual Spirit Walk brings history to life with reenactors portraying local historical figures; and

WHEREAS, supporting a unique aspect of American history, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society advocated for continued operation of the Hatton Ferry, the nation's last hand-poled river ferry; the society rebuilt the ferryman's hut, installed interpretive displays, and later assumed full ownership of the ferry from the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society has also dedicated markers at the Barracks Cemetery and a display detailing the Battle of Rio Hill in the American Civil War; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society on the occasion of its 75th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the society's dedication to its mission to strengthen the community by building an appreciation of local history.