How many small towns the size of Vinton have their own plays written about their founding?
Thanks to writer/director/actor/minister David Walton, Vinton now does. It’s a work of historical
fiction, “Land and Liberty: The Vinton Story” written and produced just in time for the
celebration of the 250th anniversary of America.
The play was commissioned by the Vinton Historical Society. The historical work is based on a
1781 land grant by then Governor of Virginia Thomas Jefferson to two local men, Christian
Vineyard and William Tabler. The land they were granted was among the first to be settled
within properties that nowadays include the Town of Vinton.
Walton says, “The play imagines conversations between historically accurate characters during
two important moments in history. The goal is to dramatize the anxious pursuit of and the
importance of land ownership in the creation of a new nation. Since it specifically addresses the
early settlers of the Town of Vinton, its reliance upon historically accurate town ancestors, as
well as descriptions of the local topography will be of interest to locals. There’s also enough
broader content, specifically Revolutionary War history, so that it will appeal to a broader
audience. Most importantly, I hope people will find it entertaining.”
He was approached by Mary Beth Layman, program chair of the Vinton History Museum, to
create the play and “jumped at the chance.”
He was able to use primary historical documents from the museum, along with assistance from
the John D. Rockefeller Library in Williamsburg, as well as the website Monticello.org and other
online resources.
The one-act play with eight characters was cast in late April; rehearsals began at Thrasher
Memorial United Methodist Church in May; costumes and sets will be added to rehearsals in
early June, and the play will be performed June 12-14 at one of the most historic sites in Vinton–
the old chapel of Thrasher Memorial UMC.
The Vinton History Museum is partnering with Roanoke Bear Theatre to bring the play to life.
A brief synopsis of the production sets the stage in the summer of 1884, on the eve of a
Founder’s Day celebration in the newly named Town of Vinton in Roanoke County. Lydia
Vineyard finds that her daughter, Mary, lacks appreciation for what it took to build the town she
calls home. Using flashbacks to the Revolutionary War period, a hundred years before, Mary
learns the importance of land and liberty and what it means to those who work hard to achieve it.
The play is “dialogue-based” with minimal stage action and is quite “memory intensive” for the
actors, according to Assistant Director Donna Minnix Proctor, a William Byrd graduate who
grew up in and raised her family in Vinton.
That dialogue is peppered with family names and places familiar to locals, including the
Vineyard, Pedigo, Thrasher, Pollard, Funks, and Walker, along with Gish Mill, Glade Creek,
Wolf Creek, Botetourt County, and Fincastle.
Underlying the focus on the founding of the town, and the wait for the land grant to be approved,
is background on the American Revolution, the progress of the war, and the tyranny of King
George III.
The cast of characters includes:
front row, James Gabello, Blake Hill, KJ Geo, and Luke Dillon; back row, Ellie Rosine, Melissa
Hagen, Kelli Hobson, and Madeline Bedrosian. (photos by Debbie Adams)
- Lydia Vineyard (portrayed by Melissa Hagen), a woman in her 50’s who is kind, but stern, and
fiercely proud of her family’s history. - Mary Vineyard (Ellie Rosine), a young woman about 18 years old who is spoiled and
preoccupied with her social life. - Thomas Jefferson (James Gabello), in his late 30’s, and Governor of Virginia. He is stately and
dignified, but not above flashes of anger as he mentors his young secretary. - William Short (Blake Hill), the young secretary, in his late teens, and a student at the College of
William and Mary. He is eager and excitable, with a lot left to learn, and a burning desire to fight
in the Revolution. - Christian Vineyard (Luke Dillon), a man in his late 20’s to early 30’s who is an inpatient worrier
anxious to take his place among the landowners in what he hopes will be the new country of
America. - Anna Vineyard (Madeline Bedrosian), a woman in her late 20’s to 30’s. She is her husband’s
equal but in opposite ways. She is optimistic and unfettered by the stress of waiting on their land
grant to be approved. - William Tabler (KJ Geo), Anna’s younger brother, also in his late 20’s to 30’s, jovial, optimistic,
also quick with a joke and not afraid of a drink. - Maria Tabler (Kelli Hobson), a woman in her late 20’s to 30’s, she is William’s long-suffering
wife. She also has a cough that worries everyone but her.
The stage is set for three character-groups in different time periods– the Vineyard women
discussing Founder’s Day and the naming of Vinton, Jefferson and his secretary describing the war and the delay in issuing the land grant, and the Vineyard/Tabler families focused on their future plans for occupying their land.
Lydia Vineyard closes the performance with speculation about what is to come in the Town of
Vinton, which was built on the dreams and hard work of those who came before, longing for
“Land and Liberty.”
Tickets may be purchased online at https://beartheatre.com, or at the door for $10. Performances
are scheduled for Friday, June 12, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 13 at 3 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, June
14, at 3 p.m.
The Friday and Saturday night performances will be preceded by Southern-style dinners for
$20/plate with proceeds benefitting local non-profits. The Roanoke Valley Dulcimers Group will
be performing 17th century music prior to all performances. Guests are invited to dress in period
costumes, if desired.
This event is part of the VA250 Celebration.
Thrasher Memorial UMC is located at 707 East Washington Avenue in Vinton, across from the
Vinton War Memorial. Parking is plentiful.
