Join us on Saturday, June 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for Descendants Day at Highland. The Highland Council of Descendant Advisors welcomes all attendees, whether descendants or not. Plan to take part in the day’s music, food, and presentations, and be ready to learn about the activities of many community groups.
This event is free and open to the public. Follow the link below to register:
Descendants Day 2025 Schedule of Events
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Community Partnerships
Exhibitor Tent – Explore, connect, and learn
11:00 a.m.
Opening Program
The Jones Family Singers
Spotlight on Descendants
Dr. Lisa Armstrong: Family History is American History
12:00 p.m.
Grace and Invitation to Lunch
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Lunchtime Programming
Lunch provided for all attendees
Community Partnerships in Exhibitor Tent
Historic Highland Exploration
Public Archaeology Viewing
Networking
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Genealogy Share and Inspire Stations (in Highland Event Barn)
with community members and experts in family history
for researchers at all stages of their journey
Breakout Conversations hosted by:
Elizabeth Drembus
Calvin Jefferson
Dr. Shelley Murphy
Francis W. Scott
2:00 p.m.
Historical Performance
by Sheila Arnold
3:00 p.m.
Musical Selections
Ronee Martin
Horace Scruggs
3:40 p.m.
Calling of the Names
4:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Featured Performer, Sheila Arnold
Sheila Arnold has a talent for storytelling, a passion for history, and compassion for people. She provides Storytelling, Historic Character Presentations, Christian Monologues, and Professional Development for schools, festivals, churches, and organizations nationally and internationally. She is co-founder and Artistic Director of Artists Standing Strong Together (ASST) a source of inspiration, strength and action in the storytelling and artists world. Sheila has been honored as a 2021 MacDowell Artist Fellow, a 2020 Mt. Vernon Research Fellow and a 2019 Hewnoaks Artist Colony summer residence Noted Artist. Sheila lives in Hampton, VA near her son, grandsons, and parents.
Special thanks to the Mortimer & Ruth Caplin Foundation, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, Virginia Tent Rental, and MS Events for supporting Descendants Day at Highland.
