Authors of Cold War Virginia to speak at Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library‘s Speaker Series resumes in October with the authors of Cold War Virginia.

Francis Gary Powers Jr. and Christopher Sturdevant will speak at the WWPL Archives and Research Center, 235 E Beverley St., Staunton, at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21.

Virginia played a central role in the United States‘ involvement during the Cold War. The location of the Pentagon, CIA and other federal agencies established Northern Virginia as the epicenter of decision-making. In 1960, the Soviet Union’s shoot-down of U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers, a Virginia native, created a superpower crisis of epic proportions.

Cold War historians Powers Jr. and Sturdevant will speak on tales of espionage, heroism and betrayal.

The speaker series is free, but donations to WWPL are welcome and registration is requested online.

The talk will be available in person or via Zoom.