A professional educator and published author. A past employee of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, the General George C. Marshall Museum, and a lead guide at Arlington National Cemetery.
Gary is a retired high school social studies teacher. He firmly believed that active learning was best for student learning and frequently used group activities, question and answer sessions, living history simulations, and press conference formats for guest speakers. Additionally, he loved taking students on field trips to historical sites in Virginia where he spent almost his entire career. The latter led to him creating a tour-guide service called Old Virginia Tours, Inc.
In his company, he personally led narrated walking and driving tours in the southern Shenandoah Valley, Charlottesville area, and at battlefields in Virginia. Gary also trained others to carry out these tours as he continued his teaching career. After 13 years, Gary closed down the operation and moved on to other pursuits.
As retirement loomed, publishers approached him to edit social studies books (middle school level) for content, and then to author some. Eight books resulted on topics such as Pearl Harbor, the War on Terror, Slavery in the US, and Climate Change. He also wrote historical articles on the Shenandoah Valley for a tourism website and penned feature articles for a local newspaper.
Following his retirement from teaching Gary worked at Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and the General George C. Marshall Museum in addition to being a tour guide at local Fredericksburg venues. Before joining Battlefield Tours of Virginia, he conducted guided tours of Arlington National Cemetery.
Gary enjoys relating the valor, sacrifice, and drama exhibited on our area battlefields to tourists. He is also excited about leading our new tours in the Shenandoah Valley. Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign is recognized worldwide for its brilliant use of geography, swift marches, and surprise attacks. Philip Sheridan’s 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign involved furious battles resulting in the “fall” of the “Confederacy’s Breadbasket” and a crucial invasion route to the North.
Living with his wife Alice near Chancellorsville and Wilderness Battlefields, he enjoys golf, exercise, and travel. He and Alice are in the process of visiting the homes of all US Presidents (and have visited about 3/4ths of them). However, his greatest joys are narrating tours and being with family.
History and Activities of the Islamic Empire
(Hands-on Ancient History)
January 2008
The War on Terror: Is the World a Safer Place?
(Behind the News)
May 2007
The History & Activities of the West African Kingdoms
(Hands-on Ancient History)
October 2006
Climate Change: Is the World in Danger?
(Behind the News)
October 2006
The Mid-Atlantic
(Regions of the USA)
September 2006
World War II Home Front
(Witness to History)
May 2004
Pearl Harbor
(Witness to History)
May 2004
Slavery in the United States
(Witness to History)
May 2004
