Adult Education Class: “The Civil War on the James River” taught by John Coski

The Maury statue testifies to a largely forgotten chapter of Richmond’s Civil War history: the naval defense of the Confederate capital. Headquarters for the Confederate Navy Department, Richmond was also home to the James River Squadron and the site of one of the South's most prolific shipbuilding operations and a sprawling “naval-industrial complex.” This course will introduce students to Richmond's naval history and, more generally, to the Confederacy's “brown water” navy. Dr. John M. Coski is historian and director of library and research at the Museum of the Confederacy. This class takes place from 5:30–7:00 p.m. and costs $25 for VHS members and $30 for nonmembers.