SIGHTS ARE SET ON

 RICHMOND
 Virginia

July 16-18, 2010

A Brief History of Chenault Family National Reunions

A "national" reunion of Chenault/Chennault family cousins was first held the Sunday, September 30, 1950 in Dallas, Texas.  The site of the reunion was Glendale Park.  Arrangements were handled by W. R. "Bill" Chenault and Ancil D. Chennault, both of Dallas.  Registration began at 11 a.m., and lunch was served at 12:30 p.m.  The program, presided over by David Chenault, included allowing every attendee to introduce themselves followed by a presentation by W. S. "Bill" Chennault, brother of General Claire Chennault and former "Bronco Busting" Sweetwater, Texas, mayor.  Entertainment was provided by the Morton's Potato Chip Magicians.  It must have been an enjoyable afternoon, for they all agreed to do it again in 1951.

The second reunion was held Sunday, September 2, 1951, at the picnic grounds at Dallas' Fair Park.  Lunch was furnished by the local family members, who brought plenty of fried chicken to feed the large crowd that gathered for the afternoon festivities.  Arrangements were again handled by W. R. Chenault and Ancil Chennault.  Cousins from Maryland, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, and Texas shared history on their branches of the family.  Dr. Frank Chenault, longtime historian who had amassed a remarkable collection of information about the family, was one of the featured speakers.

The first printed program of the reunion was available at the third reunion, Sunday, August 31, 1952 at the Texas State Fair Grounds in Dallas.  Although Gen. Claire Chennault had planned to attend, a last minute emergency in the Far East demanded his attention.  In addition to lunch and introductions of guests, a musical program was directed by David Chenault, and all cousins joined in an old-fashioned family sing song.  Following the third reunion in Dallas, there were three reunions held in Memphis, Tennessee before the site began to be moved to a new location each year.  Following the 33rd reunion in 1982, the date of the reunion began to change moving into the summer months, and finally being set to the third weekend of July after about four reunions.

The Golden Anniversary (50th) of the annual reunion was celebrated in Jackson, Mississippi, July 16-18, 1999.  Although attendance has fluctuated through the years, interest in the annual gatherings has remained high among family members scattered across the country.  One of the most popular reunions was the 2001 reunion held in Williamsburg, Virginia, when the program centered around the 300th anniversary of Estienne Cheneau's arrival in America aboard the Nassau.

However, whether attendance is high or low, the attendees seem to thoroughly enjoy the fellowship with their cousins, recounting the history and stories from their branch of the family, and a chance to meet newly-found family. 

2010 NATIONAL REUNION INFORMATION

The most current information regarding the 2010 national reunion will be published below as it becomes available.  Details concerning the site, travel information, registration, schedule of events, the silent auction, and memorabilia are reflected below.  Also, do not overlook the Things To See On Your Reunion Visit that is included at the end of this page.  Mark your calendars now and plan to attend!  Information about state reunions may be found on the "What's Up" page of this site.

DATE - Friday,16 Jul through Sunday, 18 Jul, 2010                                       

PLACE - Richmond, VA

REGISTRATION INFORMATION - Click here for a PDF version of the 2010 Registration Form.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL TOUR OFFERING:  The Museum of the Confederacy has offered a special group tour to our reunion attendees who are interested.  Saturday afternoon during our "free" time, if we can get a group of at least 10 who would like to take the tour, we can pre-book at a rate of $8.50 per person.  This is a substantial savings compared to the rate otherwise.  If you would like to join us on this tour, please note your reservation form in the area provided and include the proper amount for those in you group who will join the tour.

HEADQUARTERS HOTEL - Doubletree Hotel Richmond Downtown

The hotel is located in the heart of Richmond near the historic business and financial districts and within walking distance of the Commonwealth of Virginia Capitol building.  Complimentary shuttle service is provided within a 3-mile radius, and on-site valet parking is available.  The hotel is only 10-miles from Richmond International Airport.

LOCATION - 301 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23220

HOTEL INFORMATION -  The Chenault Family National Reunion special rate is $99 for a room with two double beds or one king bed.  This rate includes a continental breakfast for guests in the room on Saturday morning.  Covered valet parking is available for a discounted rate of $10 per night.  When making your reservations, be sure to indicate that the reservation is for the Chenault Family reunion.

Hotel contact numbers - Tel: 804-644-9871 or 1-800-222-TREE
                                          Fax: 804-344-4380

 NOTE!  The reservation cutoff date for the Chenault Reunion rate is June 23, 2010. 

GETTING THERE – From the South:  Follow I-95 into Richmond.  Turn right onto the Downtown Expressway.  Go a half mile to Belvidere Street and exit right on ramp.  At the first traffic signal, turn right onto Belvidere Street.  Go to the third traffic light and turn right on Franklin Street.  Go three blocks to the hotel on the right.

From the North:  Follow I-95 into Richmond.  Take the Belvidere Street exit 76B.  Take the Belvidere Street exit 76B. Turn left off exit onto Leigh Street. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Belvidere Street. Go to the fifth traffic light and turn left onto Franklin Street. Go two blocks, the hotel is on the right.

From the East: Follow I-64 West to Richmond. Take the fifth street exit to Downtown Coliseum. Turn right onto Broad Street at the third traffic light. At the seventh light, turn left onto Belvidere Street. At the second traffic light, turn left onto Franklin Street. Go three blocks to the hotel.

From the West: Follow I-64 East to Richmond. Take I-95 South to the Belvidere Street exit 76B. Turn left off exit ramp onto Leigh Street. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Belvidere Street. Go to the fifth light and turn left onto Franklin Street. Go three blocks to the hotel on the right.

PROGRAM – (Following is the typical schedule for the reunion.  However, it is subject to change as details of the Richmond reunion program are confirmed.  Changes will be posted here. )
Registration will begin at 1:00 p.m., Friday, July 16 at a specified location to be announced. The hospitality room will be open for visiting and display of silent auction items and memorabilia after 6 p.m. It will remain open until 11:00 p.m. Friday night and Saturday night except during the Friday night activities, the Saturday meeting, and the Saturday evening banquet.

Friday night from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m., our customary get-acquainted gathering will include the children’s program, refreshments, and an informal program.

Saturday’s activities will include special interest programs with guest speakers and the annual business meeting. Following the business meeting, attendees will be free to select their afternoon activities, go site seeing, or relax in the hotel. The hospitality room will be open during the afternoon following lunch. Lunch is not provided as part of the reunion package.

Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m., the customary "dress-up" banquet will be held in the ballroom at the hotel. A special program is planned including officer induction and a guest speaker/entertainer.

Sunday morning is the traditional Memorial Service at which we gather to honor and celebrate the lives of those who have passed on to their Heavenly reward.

SILENT AUCTION -
Items donated by family members will be auctioned to help defray association expenses. Handmade crafts are especially welcome, as are artifacts, books, copies of photos, news articles, etc., especially those having historical and/or Chenault connections. These are displayed in the hospitality room. The auction will close at 6:00 p.m., with the winning bids to be announced at the banquet.

MEMORABILIA -
Members are invited to bring photos, books, and other family mementos to share with others. These items are not for sale. Place a descriptive label and owner’s name on the items before leaving them on display. Also, on display will be mementos from previous reunions and several collections of correspondence, news clippings, and other items from the Association’s historical files.

ENTERTAINMENT -
Volunteers are encouraged to participate. Vocalists, especially light music like Broadway, Country, Oldies, guitar, banjo, violin, barbershop, or yodeling are always welcome. And, if you prefer to have company on stage when you perform, join the Chenault Family National Choir. Their performances at recent reunions have been wonderful.

THINGS TO SEE ON YOUR REUNION VISIT

As you are planning your trip to Richmond for the reunion, you may want to consider a little extra time to visit the wonderful attractions that the city offers. Only a few of them are briefly described below, so it is suggested that you visit www.virginia.org and select "Attractions" for a complete list, categorized by areas of interest and location. There are battlefields, churches, cemeteries, museums, gardens, libraries, theme parks, wineries, and zoos to intrigue the historian, gardener, genealogist, art connoisseur, or fun seeker.

Agecroft Hall - Built in the 15th century, this English manor house was dismantled in England and brought to Virginia in 1926, where it was reassembled on the banks of the James River in Richmond. The house and beautiful gardens are a wonderful attraction. Admission is $8.
4305 Sulgrave Road.

Canal Walk - This is a 1.25 mile walk through downtown Richmond along the Haxall Canal and the James River, where four centuries of Richmond history are depicted in various monuments and exhibits. No admission.
14th and Dock Streets

 Civil War Sites - Many sites are open to the public in and around the Richmond area, such as the few noted here:

---Cold Harbor National Battlefield Park - This is the site where Confederate troops dug in and fought Grant’s Union troops on June 3, 1864, causing 7000 casualties among them in only 30 minutes of fighting. The trenches of the Confederate troops are well preserved. 3215 S. Broad Street

---Drewry’s Bluff - This site on the James River was where Confederate forces defended access to the waterway. Union forces called it Ft. Darling. An attack by the Union iron-clad vessel known at the Monitor and three other vessels was repelled by the Confederate defenders at this location.

---Ft. Harrison - Located on the Richmond-Petersburn line, the fort was the strongest Confederate fort on the line. On September 29, 1864, Union forces captured the fort. The following day General Lee organized an all-out effort to reclaim the fort, but lost the battle. Subsequently, the fort was renamed Fort Burnham in honor of the Union General killed in the 29th assault.

Edgar Allen Poe Museum - This museum houses a collection of Poe’s memorabilia and includes the Old Stone House, which was built around 1738 and is recognized as the oldest house in the city, and its courtyard garden. Tours begin every hour. Closed on Monday.
1914 E. Main Street.

Fan District and Monument Avenue - The district is so named because the streets are arranged in the shape of a fan as they extend westward from Belvidere Street to Boulevard. It is bordered by Broad Street on the north and Cary Street on the South. The district has over 2000 Victorian-style townhomes with Monument Avenue extending through its heart. The tree-lined avenue is lined with turn-of-the-century mansions and monuments of Civil War heroes and other famous residents of Richmond. It is a beautiful area to visit.

Hollywood Cemetery - This cemetery, named for the large number of holly trees on the land, was opened in 1849. It is the resting place of a number of well-known individuals including Presidents Monroe and Tyler, and Confederate President Jefferson Davis, as well as about 18,000 Confederate soldiers.
412 Cherry Street.

Jefferson Hotel - Opened Halloween 1895 when it was the site of a gala for the engagement of Charles Dana Gibson and Irene Langhorne, known as "the Gibson Girl." A blend of various architectural styles, the lobby has a life-sized marble statue of Thomas Jefferson, a Tiffany stained-glass skylight, and a grand staircase that is said to be the inspiration of the one in the movie, "Gone With the Wind."
101 W. Franklin Street

John Marshall House - This house, built in 1790 by Chief Justice Marshall of the Supreme Court of the United States, is a wonderful example of Federal architecture. It was his home for more than 45 years. The gardens surrounding the home have been restored with plants that were used in the 18th century gardens.

Library of Virginia - This library is the oldest institution dedicated to preserving Virginia’s history. It is a treasured source of old maps and other documents for historians and genealogists.
800 E. Broad Street

Maymont - The 100-acre estate contains a magnificent Victorian mansion that was the home of the Dooley family of Richmond. Included on the property are a carriage collection, wildlife exhibits, a children’s farm, and beautiful gardens. Open M-F 10-5.
2201 Shields Lake Drive

Museum of the Confederacy - The museum houses a comprehensive collection of Civil War artifacts, manuscripts, and photographs. Also, included in the museum is the former White House of the Confederacy. Admission: Adults $8-$11; Seniors 65+ $7-$10; Children 7-13 $4-$6; Children under 6 free.
1201 E Clay Street

Old Dominion Railway Museum - This museum houses an interesting and informative collection of photos and artifacts from the area’s railroad history.
102 N. Hull Street

Tuckahoe Plantation - The plantation is the boyhood home of Thomas Jefferson, circa 1773. It is a National Historic Landmark.
12601 River Road