Norfolk Southern Railway's history in southeastern Virginia began in the mid-19^th century when a young civil engineer named William Mahone designed an innovative 12-mile long roadbed through the Great Dismal Swamp. Nearly 170 years later, Mahone's design continues to serve as a major route for Norfolk Southern traffic, supporting millions of tons of freight each year. One of the nation's largest Class 1 railroads, Norfolk Southern was created through the merger of Roanoke-based Norfolk & Western Railway and Washington, DC-based Southern Railway in June 1982. Presented by author Elizabeth Cooper, she will sign and sell books after the presentation. Free admission. For details, click here or call 757-888-3371.