The origin of the Richmond Civil War Round Table was detailed in the first issue of the Newsletter, Vol. 1, No. 1 (1958): "As might be supposed, the interest of many Richmonders in serious study of the Civil War long antedated the date as of which the round Table was formally organized". Dr. Douglas S. Freeman's work and his affiliation with groups that promoted the erection of historical markers in the Richmond area and acquired historic properties along the line of the Richmond National Battlefield Park gave added impetus to the reviving of Civil War study." Early in 1951 a cadre of buffs in the Sandston area (the site of the Battle of Seven Pines and of part of the Seven Days Battle) more formally identified themselves under the title of the Richmond Civil War Round Table. First meetings were held at the Park Service Headquarters at Fort Harrison. Nip Warriner, who beyond doubt possesses the greatest collection of battlefield items, personally extracted from the Richmond area battlefields, was a prime mover in the Round Table endeavor. "The Round Table has sponsored undertakings of Civil War interest. In 1953 it joined the Chicago Round Table in sponsoring the first nationwide tour of Richmond Battlefields. In 1955, it joined the Manuscript Society in putting on its annual convention in Richmond, and in 1958 had U.S. Grant, III as guest speaker for the American Heritage dinner. The Round Table sponsors field trips and monthly programs.