Stories of the Richmond Theatre Fire with Author Rachel Beanland (WL)

The Richmond Theatre fire, on December 26, 1811, caused the deaths of more than seventy people, including the governor of Virginia. At the time it was the deadliest urban disaster in American history. Virginia author Rachel Beanland has centered her most recent novel on the stories of those affected by the fire. She will discuss the journey her research took her on as she explored this tragedy that helped shape a young United States.

Beanland is the author of two novels, The House is On Fire and Florence Adler Swims Forever. The House is On Fire was selected as an Indie Next Pick by the American Booksellers Association, a GMA ‘Buzz Pick’ by Good Morning America, a “most anticipated” book by the Washington Post and one of the best books of 2023 by NPR and The New Yorker.