By MARVIN HAMLETT

Editor

With names like Flood and Abbitt, Appomattox County has no shortage of famous families.

But nobody was as famous as Joel Sweeney, a world-renowned gifted performer who popularized the five-string banjo in the 19th Century.

This weekend, a major Banjo Festival tribute will take place with “Joel Sweeney and the Banjo: From Africa to Appomattox.”

The tribute honors Appomattox’s native son Sweeney with a film on Friday evening, all-day activities on Saturday, and a Banjo Concert Saturday evening.

All of the activities will take place at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park on State Route 24, which is adjacent to Sweeney’s home place.

The event is being organized by the Appomattox 1865 Foundation.

“I’m very excited about this because it will bring recognition to Joel Sweeney and his family, plus it will encourage tourists to come and visit,” said Linda Mays, who is a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

The highlight of Saturday’s activities will be the Concert in the Park, which will start at 6 p.m.

The concert will feature well-known players such as Sule Greg Wilson, Joe Ayers & Company, The McKenzies, and Eddie & Martha Adcock,

Tickets will be $20 for adults, and $5 for kids 6-to-12.

Only 400 tickets will be sold, and the proceeds will be targeted to restore Sweeney’s log cabin home so that tours can take place.

“Plus we want to restore the cemetery behind his home and the grounds around it,” Mays said. “The banjo players in Saturday’s concert are the top-of-the-line banjo players from around the country. For those not familiar with the art of banjo playing, this will be a wonderful opportunity and learning experience featuring great banjo players from as far away as California.”

Concert tickets can be purchased at the Park, or at Baine’s Books & Coffee on Main Street in Downtown Appomattox.

The concert is an alcohol-free event, and folks are encouraged to bring a blanket or a lawn chair.

The following is a schedule of events for the weekend:

FRIDAY, MAY 10

6 p.m.: The festival kicks off with a viewing of the documentary, “Give Me The Banjo” and a CD release party at the Park in the Visitors Center. Tickets are limited but free. Call or email to reserve a seat at 434-660-9184 or info1865foundation@gmail.com. The Foundation can also be found on Facebook.

SATURDAY, MAY 11

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Festivities begin in the Park. Regular admission to the Park includes all activities,

* Demonstrations

* Premier of a brand new movie “The Librarian and the Banjo”

* World-renowned musicians

* Historians

* Two experts from the Smithsonian

* First-time event tours of the Sweeney family cabin and Joel Sweeney’s gravesite

* Reading of Gov. McDonnell’s Proclamation “Certificate of Recognition for Joel Walker Sweeney”

* A world-record attempt of dancers doing the Virginia Reel.

* Refreshments

Joel Walker Sweeney was born in what is now Appomattox County, and his family’s cabin as well as his gravesite are located on park grounds.

Sweeney was a minstrel-style banjo player, comedian and entertainer.

He was born in a log cabin in 1810 near the site where the Civil War ended.

In fact, Gen. Robert E. Lee rested under an apple tree on the Sweeney farm while he waited to be escorted to Gen. Grant so the two generals could discuss the terms of the Civil War surrender.

Sweeney became a national celebrity and traveled throughout the United States and Britain.

Joel Walker Sweeney was born in eastern Virginia and is thought to have given banjo lessons in 1838 to Billy Whitlock, who later became the banjo player for the Virginia Minstrels.

Sweeney is said to have learned to play banjo from enslaved African Americans on his father's plantation. He traveled and entertained in blackface during the 1830s, and later formed his own minstrel troupe.

Sweeney is the first white musician to have been documented playing the banjo.

References to any banjo players are very rare prior to 1830. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, California, contains a banjo attributed to Sweeney.

Joel Sweeney's younger brother, Samuel, was an orderly for J.E.B. Stuart during the Civil War. He entertained Stuart and his fellow soldiers by playing banjo. Dick Sweeney, a third brother, also played banjo.

The Appomattox 1865 Foundation thought it was overdue to Sweeney’s heritage to be honored.

The mission of the Appomattox 1865 Foundation is to enrich the understanding and appreciation of the heritage and significance of Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. The foundation focuses on education efforts to preserve the past, augment support, commemorate history and enhance the visitor’s experience at the park. The group is actively seeking members with many levels of membership available.

For more information on how and where to purchase tickets and to see a complete list of events please check our website www.appomattox1865foundation.org, find us on FACEBOOK, or send us a message at info1865foundation@gmail.com.