Norfolk Highlights 1584 - 1881
By George Holbert Tucker
Introduction
 The
Norfolk Historical Society's choice of "Norfolk Highlights -- 1584-1881"
by Norfolk's own George Holbert Tucker, with a dust jacket designed
by Norfolk's well-known watercolorist and muralist Kenneth Harris, as
its contribution to the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary
of our national independence, is, in my opinion, an excellent one, for
this delightful book will be a lasting joy for the citizens of Tidewater
for many years.
Mr. Tucker's talents as a historian and writer are well known to the
citizens of Tidewater through his familiar column, "Tidewater Landfalls"
in The Virginian-Pilot, in which he literally brings alive for us the
people and events of the past.
In "Norfolk Highlights -- 1584-1881" the author takes us
on a journey through those years, starting with the Indians who inhabited
the land on which our city has been built and ending with Norfolk's
participation in the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the
Battle of Yorktown.
From beginning to end this is a fascinating presentation of life as
it was from 1584 to 1881 in this area, with particular emphasis on the
social history of Norfolk and those who participated in it, including
the development of Norfolk's theatrical, church, musical, artistic,
and other cultural pursuits in those early days.
As Norfolk had what seems more than a normal share of tragic events
for any one city in its early years, these are also covered. But, more
importantly, this warm and intimate recording of the personalities of
its citizens in those days points out how undaunted by catastrophes
were the residents, who always picked themselves up quickly to rebuild
and improve their community. What a tremendous heritage they left us
with which to face any trials which come our way, to solve them, and
to continue to build for the betterment of our city in our times.
Let us hope we will always have a writer and historian with the interest
and talent of Mr. Tucker to record the times to come, as well as the
times we live in.
I wholeheartedly recommend "Norfolk Highlights -- 1584-1881"
as enlightening and enjoyable reading.
Roy B. Martin, Jr., Former Mayor
City of Norfolk, Virginia
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