FRIDAY. MARCH 15. 2019
Virginia War Museum Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with Unique Exhibit and Discussion
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, the Virginia War Museum is hosting a temporary display recognizing Irish and Irish-American Military History .  The exhibit includes artifacts never before displayed at the museum that tell the story of Irish and Irish-American soldiers. Items include uniforms, memorabilia, equipment, and documents from the Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, The Irish War of Independence, World War II and more.

On Saturday, March 16 at 1:00 p.m., the museum will host a discussion titled "The Corcoran Irish Legion 1862-1865: The Forgotten Irish Brigade”. Museum Education Coordinator and Historian Chris Garcia will discuss this little-known Irish unit and the role the Irish played in the Civil War. After the discussion, the museum will host guided tours of the temporary exhibit.

The Virginia War Museum is located at 9285 Warwick Boulevard in Newport News and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 5:00 p.m. Museum admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and active duty military members, and $6 for children ages 7 to 18. Admission to the Irish and Irish American History exhibit and the talk are included in museum admission. For more information, visit www.warmuseum.org or call 757-247-8523.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Arrives in Newport News
Children ages 0-5 in the zip code area of 23606 can receive free books
To inspire a love of books, reading, and learning in the hearts and minds of children, The DeGood Foundation is partnering with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to provide free books to children residing in the 23606 (Newport News) and 23692 (York County) zip code areas. Children who are registered with the program will receive a free, brand-new, age-appropriate book in the mail every month until age five.

Parents, grandparents and/or guardians of children in the approved zip code zones can register online or download the registration form and mail it to The DeGood Foundation, ATTN: Imagination Library, 230 Aspen Boulevard, Yorktown, VA 23692. While children in zip codes 23606 and 23692 are the only ones eligible at this time, The DeGood Foundation plans to expand as soon as they can raise additional funds.

Founded by Kyle DeGood in 2017, The DeGood Foundation develops programs that encourage positive change in youth education, literacy and leadership. DeGood is a student at Christopher Newport University and says he started the foundation specifically to bring The Imagination Library to our region. “When I moved back to Newport News after a military family transfer to Hawaii, I was very surprised to find out the program wasn't being sponsored in our area,” says DeGood. “I was reading to my younger sisters one night and began to wonder what I could do to help with their future. I realized that Dolly Parton's Imagination Library was the perfect idea for our community! I immediately got in contact with them and started my own nonprofit organization, The DeGood Foundation, to bring the program here.”

Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995 for children within her home county. Today, her program spans four countries and mails over one million free books each month to children around the world. To learn more, visit https://imaginationlibrary.com/ .