By now most have seen the story:
In the version of history being taught in some Virginia classrooms, New Orleans began the 1800s as a bustling U.S. harbor (instead of as a Spanish colonial one). The Confederacy included 12 states (instead of 11). And the United States entered World War I in 1916 (instead of in 1917).
These are among the dozens of errors historians have found since Virginia officials ordered a review of textbooks by Five Ponds Press, the publisher responsible for a controversial claim that African American soldiers fought for the South in large numbers during the Civil War.
And the Five Ponds Press "owner", Lou Scolnik, intends to correct the problem
"Most of the items you reference have been identified, and we sent a notice a week ago to the Virginia Department of Education with our intent to make these edits in the book's next printing," Lou Scolnik, owner of Five Ponds Press, wrote in response to questions.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
But is Lou really the owner?
I remember when this story first broke back in October
The passage appears in "Our Virginia: Past and Present," which was distributed in the state's public elementary schools for the first time last month. The author, Joy Masoff, who is not a trained historian but has written several books, said she found the information about black Confederate soldiers primarily through Internet research, which turned up work by members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
At that time there were indications on the Five Ponds website and elsewhere that author Joy Masoff was actually the owner of the publishing company. So I wanted to link to that information for a comment on the latest coverage. And it wasn't there. Was I misremembering? I didn't think so - so I looked harder - and I found it, sort of.
Textbook author Joy Masoff is married to Five Ponds Press "owner" Lou Scolnik. It would seem they own the business together.
At one time it operated out of their home on Five Ponds Dr. in Waccabuc, N.Y.; and Lou was the company President
Five Ponds Press Inc
14 Five Ponds Dr
Waccabuc, New York 10597-1032
Contact Name: Lou Scolnic
Contact Title: President
http://www.allbusiness.com/...
They sold the home in 2009
Writer, graphic designer unloads Lewisboro for $1.4M
by Scott Johnson, published June 5, 2009 ShareThis
Joy K. Masoff and Louis Scolnik sold a home at 14 Five Ponds Dr. in Lewisboro to Robert P. Musich and Nancy Musich for $1.4 million on June 5.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...
They now run the business out of another very nice home in Weston, Connecticut
http://maps.google.com/...
Son Alex also helps in the family business
Registrant:
Alex Scolnik
Domain Name: FIVEPONDSPRESS.COM
http://whois.domaintools.com/...
However, the business is now slated to hire some outside help
Five Ponds Press gradually expanded to other subject areas, filling a growing portion of Virginia's $70 million-a-year textbook market. Many larger publishers employ professional historians, but all of the books by Five Ponds Press have been written by Masoff, who is not a trained historian. Other titles by her include "Oh, Yuck! The Encyclopedia of Everything Nasty" and "Oh, Yikes! History's Grossest, Wackiest Moments."
Scolnik said Five Ponds is in the process of hiring a professional historian from a Virginia university.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...