Great Falls History Presented by Carole Herrick

Dear Fellow Seniors,

 Have you ever heard of a Vermont Private William Scott, a Union Army Soldier who fell asleep while guarding the Chain Bridge during the early stages of the American Civil War?  This action was an automatic death sentence. Should Private Scott’s commander, General William Farrar Smith, General George McClellan and President Lincoln allow Scott to live or die?   What happened to Private Scott?

Join us when we welcome Carole Herrick, Historian for Mclean, as our guest speaker. Her topic will be “The Sleeping Sentinel”.Mrs. Herrick lives in McLean and has been and is involved in many community groups and has been past president of the McLean Historical Society, the McLean Chapter of AARP  and Friends of the McLean Community Center to name a few. She has received the “Heartbeat of Rotary Award” and “Friends of the Mclean Community Center”award.  Her books include: “Ambitious Failure: The Story of Chain Bridge the First Bridge Across the Potomac;” “August 24, 1814: Washington in Flames”.  In addition to her love of local history, Mrs. Herrick was inducted into the Intercollegiate Woman’s Tennis Hall of Fame and is also a Dolly Madison re-enactor.  Presently she writes for “Viva Tysons” magazine.   

 The May 21 event will be held at the Great Falls United Methodist Church, 10100 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls from 11AM to 2 PM and includes lunch to be provided by the Great Falls United Methodist Church Women; a donation of $10.00 per lunch will be welcomed and greatly appreciated. Reservations are required; email Polly Fitzgerald at pollyfitz1@verizon.net or call 703-759-4345. As a reminder the Preschool is in session during our event; we would appreciate using only the front entrance for entering and exiting.

 Our event sponsor is Celebrate Great Falls and they are committed to keeping the spirit and traditions alive that make Great Falls such a special place to live. Our Give Back Donation for May is tomato paste or sauce.

Please join us as we learn more about Private Scott, The Sleeping Sentinel, who had volunteered to take the place of a comrade the night before and was himself exhausted. He was scheduled to be executed on September 9, 1861. What was his fate?

Great Falls Senior Center is partnered with the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services in all ventures and events