Dr. Phillip C. Stone founded the Lincoln Society of Virginia in 2004.  He frequently lectures on Abraham Lincoln, is a member of the Lincoln Forum Advisory Board and the Lincoln Bicentennial Advisory Committee, and for over 30 years has annually held a Lincoln Day Celebration at the Lincoln Cemetery (Linville, VA) to commemorate Lincoln’s birthday.  His family owns the farm where the Lincolns first lived in Virginia.  He is past president of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society.  After 24 years in private law practice, Phil became President of Bridgewater College (Bridgewater, VA) in 1994.  As a lawyer, he headed several state-wide bar groups, including serving as President of the Virginia Bar Association.  Phil recently served on the Commonwealth Transportation Board and the Executive Committee of the NCAA.

Lawrence D. Bowers, Jr. is a retired attorney who lives in Bridgewater, VA with his wife, Linda.  He is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and the T. C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond.  In addition, Larry did graduate work at James Madison University in Education and History.

He served for five years as President of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham County Historical Society and is currently a Board member of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.  For many years, Larry has been active in the Rockingham County community with numerous other organizations and activities.

Elaine C. Dellinger, a native of Dayton, VA, is Administrative Assistant to Dr. Phillip Stone at Bridgewater College (Bridgewater, VA).  She has been involved with her church’s music program for over 35 years, enjoys attending estate auctions and collecting antiques.  Elaine says she is amazed at how much history is available to experience in Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, from Civil War battle sites to Presidents’ homes, and our close proximity to the Nation’s Capital and everything it has to offer.

Henry F. Buhl, a native of New Market, VA, is a retired American History and Government teacher, having taught 36 years at Harrisonburg (VA) High School.  Most of Henry’s life has involved farming and raising cattle.  At the age of 19 he inherited a 96-acre farm from Evla Bushong Good.  This property had been part of the original Bushong Farm during the famous Battle of New Market.  In 2005, Henry sold the farm to the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.  Henry says he became interested in Abraham Lincoln through many different avenues:  teaching American History and Government while studying the Presidents and comparing their different styles of governing; his family’s life-long Republican views; local Lincoln family ties; and owning a part of a farm made famous in the Civil War.

Joseph E. Garrera serves as President of the Lincoln Group of New York, an historical society devoted to Lincoln scholarship, and is a collector of Abraham Lincoln items.  Containing more than 2,000 books and pamphlets, his collection is augmented by more than 100 framed Lincoln images and more than 50 pieces of statuary.  Among the prize items is a rare 1860 original photograph of Lincoln and two of his sons.  Joe has served as an advisor to the A&E History Channel, Lincoln College Museum, U.S. News & World Report, and numerous local historical societies working on Lincoln-related projects.  He is the Executive Director of the Lehigh County Historical Society in Allentown, PA, one of the largest historical societies in America.  Joe also is a member of The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Advisory Committee and The Lincoln Forum Board of Advisors. (picture provided by Henry F. Ballone)

Nancy Hill Hess is a native of Rockingham County.  The daughter of Anne H. Hill and the late L.P. "Skip" Hill, Jr., of Dayton, Virginia, she is a graduate of Turner Ashby High School and the School of Radiologic Technology at Rockingham Memorial Hospital.  After working 27 years at Hess Orthopaedic Center & Sports Medicine, she retired as Practice Administrator in 2001.

Having inherited a deep love of history from her father, Nancy has served as a trustee and vice-chair for the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.  She is currently on the board of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society and is president of the Cross Keys/Goods Mill Historical Society.

Nancy is married to Dr. Irvin E. Hess and has a son, William; stepson, Irvin II; stepdaughter, Marie; and seven grandchildren.  The Hesses reside in Port Republic, Virginia, and have also restored an historic farm located on the Cross Keys Battlefield known as the "Widow Pence Farm".

Marcia L. McGrath is originally from Kokomo, Indiana and moved to Harrisonburg, VA in 1979.  She received a BS in Ed from Indiana University (US History/Soc Studies major/Science minor), and a MS in Counseling from James Madison University.  She was a high school teacher/vice principal in Toronto in the early 70's.  Marcia served as a member of the Rockingham County School Board (1986-94), is currently employed by Shenandoah County Schools, and is active in community organizations.

John A. Paul is a lifelong resident of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County (VA).  He graduated from Washington and Lee University, and Washington and Lee University Law School.  He served in the U.S. Army for three years including service in Viet Nam.  He has been a judge of the Rockingham General District Court since 1970.  An avid amateur historian, Judge Paul and Dr. Phillip Stone commenced the tradition of observing Lincoln's birthday at the Lincoln Family Cemetery every February 12th.

John L. Heatwole of Swoope, VA (Augusta Co.) lost his battle with cancer on November 22, 2006.  He was 58.  John was an author, historian, folklorist, lecturer, sculptor, and tour guide.  One of John's best known books, The Burning:  Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, details General Sheridan's brutality and cruelness in the Shenandoah Valley.  John served on numerous committees and commissions which helped preserve the traditions and historical sites of the Shenandoah Valley.  He is survived by his wife Miriam and son David.(picture provided by Henry F. Ballone)