Jerry Falwell Museum Visit and Reflection
During my visit, I was able to learn more about the founder and former president of Liberty University, and the most influential man in Lynchburg. The museum was located at Liberty University and showed the history and accomplishments of the Falwell family.
In this blog, I want to focus on the economical and social impact the Falwells had on Lynchburg, VA. The museum showcased relationships within the family along with relationships between the Falwells and the United States (and beyond), but I believe the most significant relationship was between the Falwells and their quiet, little hometown.
One of the first things that I learned was that Hezekiah Falwell, Jerry Falwell Sr.'s great-grandfather was a supporter of the Confederate army and a slave owner. He helped Confederate soldiers during the Civil war by repairing wagons. It was interesting to realize that Lynchburg was involved with the Civil war during that time period; often times I only think of the battles happening between cities and towns in the deep south and cities up north. Hezekiah Falwell was involved in the Civil war, and because of his contribution, Confederate soldiers were able to come to Lynchburg for aid and support.
Jerry Sr.'s father had a fairly successful bootlegging business during the Great Depression era. Not only did he have an impact on the city of Lynchburg, but he became one of the leading distributors of bootlegged alcohol in Campbell County. His success in business impacted Lynchburg economically. Unfortunately, alcohol proved to be his greatest success and also his biggest mistake- he died of alcoholism later in life.
Jerry Falwell Sr.'s impact on Lynchburg was monumental. He started several organizations to improve the lives of the broken and impoverished in the community. One of the first was the Elim Home, an organization dedicated to helping men defeat alcoholism and other drug addictions. This organization has remained in operation, and continues to have a positive social impact today in the city. Jerry Falwell Sr. also impacted Lynchburg by creating Thomas Road Baptist Church and most notably, Liberty University, among many other ministries.
Liberty University alone has had a huge economical and social impact on Lynchburg, VA. Students at Liberty are required to complete CSER hours, thereby contributing hundreds of thousands of hours to serving the community in local churches, homeless shelters, delinquency departments, hospitals, and nursing homes. Liberty University also provides jobs to many people in the surrounding areas. Liberty University is arguably the most lucrative and far-reaching ministry created by Jerry Falwell.
My experience at the museum was enjoyable, and although I did not get to read every piece of information, I would definitely be willing to go back. I recommend going to this museum if anyone is interested to know more about how the Falwells impacted the world. It is interesting to see how ideologies have changed over time, and how Jerry Falwell Jr. reflects the personality and character of his father.
In this blog, I want to focus on the economical and social impact the Falwells had on Lynchburg, VA. The museum showcased relationships within the family along with relationships between the Falwells and the United States (and beyond), but I believe the most significant relationship was between the Falwells and their quiet, little hometown.
One of the first things that I learned was that Hezekiah Falwell, Jerry Falwell Sr.'s great-grandfather was a supporter of the Confederate army and a slave owner. He helped Confederate soldiers during the Civil war by repairing wagons. It was interesting to realize that Lynchburg was involved with the Civil war during that time period; often times I only think of the battles happening between cities and towns in the deep south and cities up north. Hezekiah Falwell was involved in the Civil war, and because of his contribution, Confederate soldiers were able to come to Lynchburg for aid and support.
Jerry Sr.'s father had a fairly successful bootlegging business during the Great Depression era. Not only did he have an impact on the city of Lynchburg, but he became one of the leading distributors of bootlegged alcohol in Campbell County. His success in business impacted Lynchburg economically. Unfortunately, alcohol proved to be his greatest success and also his biggest mistake- he died of alcoholism later in life.
Jerry Falwell Sr.'s impact on Lynchburg was monumental. He started several organizations to improve the lives of the broken and impoverished in the community. One of the first was the Elim Home, an organization dedicated to helping men defeat alcoholism and other drug addictions. This organization has remained in operation, and continues to have a positive social impact today in the city. Jerry Falwell Sr. also impacted Lynchburg by creating Thomas Road Baptist Church and most notably, Liberty University, among many other ministries.
Liberty University alone has had a huge economical and social impact on Lynchburg, VA. Students at Liberty are required to complete CSER hours, thereby contributing hundreds of thousands of hours to serving the community in local churches, homeless shelters, delinquency departments, hospitals, and nursing homes. Liberty University also provides jobs to many people in the surrounding areas. Liberty University is arguably the most lucrative and far-reaching ministry created by Jerry Falwell.
My experience at the museum was enjoyable, and although I did not get to read every piece of information, I would definitely be willing to go back. I recommend going to this museum if anyone is interested to know more about how the Falwells impacted the world. It is interesting to see how ideologies have changed over time, and how Jerry Falwell Jr. reflects the personality and character of his father.
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