Roundtable News — April 2017

By Matthew Borowick · Originally published April 2017 · p. 3

Roundtable News By Matthew Borowick Bull Run CWRT Picnic How does a Civil War round table celebrate a milestone anniversary, recognize past presidents, thank exceptional volunteers and bring the membership together? If you are the Bull Run CWRT you throw a picnic at a winery! The 237-member Bull Run CWRT (BRCWRT) is one of those especially fortunate groups. It meets 12 times a year on the 2nd Thursday of every month at the Centreville, Va., Regional Library, within a short distance of several of the war’s battlefields. The round table was formed in May 1991. It received the Civil War Trust’s “CWRT of the Year” award ten years later. Mark Trbovich, the group’s current president, notes that the BRCWRT has undertaken several initiatives over the years, building on its mission to “To stimulate interest in the American Civil War by educating its members and the public, including preservation and interpretation of sites, buildings, artifacts and memorials connected with the war.” Becoming a 501c3 non-profit organization in 2011 increased the group’s ability to fundraise for local and national Civil War preservation efforts. It also has an annual scholarship program for high school seniors. Its location provides many opportunities for battlefield visits. Mark notes that “our touring programs have been received extremely well by our members and guests.” Mark also mentions the group’s award-winning newsletter and the use of technology.

Members not able to get to a meeting can watch it rebroadcast afterward on the group’s web site. Mark, a lifelong student of the Civil War, joined the round table in 1999. His home on the Bull Run River overlooks the location of Confederate infantry positions prior to the First Battle of Manassas. And what of the picnic? Mark says that a series of programs were developed to celebrate the round table’s 25th anniversary. The June-October programming started with a panel discussion that included round table founder William Miller and several past presidents, who each reviewed the accomplishments during their tenures. In concert with the July and August anniversaries of the First and Second Battles of Manassas, the group was treated to presentations by noted experts John Hennessey and Ed Bearss, followed by battlefield tours. The final event took place at The Winery at Bull Run, which sits upon original battlefield land. The owner is himself a student of the Civil War and had presented to the group at its September meeting. Mark says that members came from throughout the country to participate in the event, which was billed as the cumulative commemorative event with hopes of it becoming an annual affair and the setting is perfect. October is a beautiful time of year in Northern Virginia, and, he notes, “The Winery has excellent facilities and overlooks Manassas National Battlefield Park, which endeared it to our membership.” Despite some very windy weather, which made a move indoors necessary, Mark says the day was a huge success. “We gave our membership a free, fully catered BBQ picnic for their outstanding support.” He added that “The Winery’s staff accommodated our situation. The program went off without a hitch, the accommodations were superb, and the catering service provided a very delicious meal.” Over 90 members and guests attended, many asking for a repeat in 2017. Mark enjoys the ability to bring the members together to say thank you and to celebrate their success. For those round tables contemplating such an effort, he advises: “Don’t give up on the picnic concept. Keep it on the backburner until the time is right. Our milestone celebration was the perfect time. It generated excitement and no one had to bring food.” Mark shares that making this an annual event has another benefit: “It takes you out of your regular monthly meeting venue and enables the folks to get to know one another better in comfortable surroundings.” He suggests holding it as a free or reduced price, catered affair to show appreciation to a loyal membership. He adds that it is also an opportune time to make some awards to outstanding volunteers and to take “a lot of photos.” Anyone wishing to get more information about the Bull Run CWRT or its picnic can go to www.bullruncwrt.org. More information about the group’s first 25 years and its steps to becoming a successful round table can be found in its “25th Commemorative Anniversary Publication” at https://www.createspace.