Suffolk News-Herald

Suffolk historian Sue F. Woodward is being honored for decades of historic preservation work in the city tonight.

The Tom Smith Camp Sons of Confederate Veterans is recognizing Woodward, past president and current executive director of the Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society, for her ongoing preservation efforts at its 10th annual Marion Joyner Watson Banquet.

&uot;Although she has received numerous other recognitions for her work, she is long overdue for this award,&uot; said Lee Hart, a spokesman for the organization. &uot;She has been working to preserve Suffolk history and landmarks for over three decades.

&uot;It is hard to list all she has done for the city,&uot; he continued. &uot;She, among others, has been at the front of every major battle involved in saving major points of historical interest that have been preserved here in Suffolk.&uot;

The Tom Smith Camp began giving the award 10 years ago to recognize the efforts of Marion Joyner Watson, who many regard as Suffolk’s &uot;first premiere historian,&uot; Hart said.

&uot;Sue was also very close to Marion Joyner Watson,&uot; he said. &uot;She was Sue’s mentor for many years.&uot;

Guest speaker for tonight’s event is Virginia B. Morton, author of the renowned historic novel, &uot;Marching Through Culpeper: A Novel of Culpeper, Virginia, Crossroads of the Civil War.&uot;

Her presentation, &uot;Dolly Hill: A Confederate Wife and Mother Living on the Front,&uot; will focus on the Culpeper native Lt. A.P. Hill and his wife, Dolly.

Morton is hoping her

book will promote tourism and preservation of the county’s three battlefields. She noted that Culpeper County, which was marched across and camped upon more than any other locale nationwide during the Civil War, is now battling growth.

&uot;Time is running out,&uot; Morton said. &uot;Today the enemy marching towards Culpeper from the north is urban sprawl. We must act now to preserve hallowed ground.&uot;

The banquet takes place at the Suffolk Elk’s Lodge beginning at 6 p.m. today.