Fort Ward Park History Work Group December 4, 2009

Fort Ward Park History Work Group
Goals & Objectives Subgroup
Final Draft for Discussion 12-4-09
Prepared by J. Glenn Eugster, Ellen Stanton, and Kathy Sander

I. Intent of the Fort Ward Park History Work Group

On June 19, 2009 the Mayor and City Council passed the following resolution which includes the intent of the Fort Ward Park History Work Group.

CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AN AD HOC
FORT WARD PARK AND MUSEUM AREA STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY
GROUP

“In addition to this Ad Hoc Advisory Group, the Office of Historic Alexandria has created a Fort Ward Park History Work Group. The purpose of this Work Group is to:

assist the Office of Historic Alexandria and Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities with the documentation, research and interpretation of cultural and historic resources of Fort Ward Park, including its association with:

Native Americans,
the Defenses of Washington Civil War fortifications, and
the post Civil War African American community that existed on the site until it was acquired by the City of Alexandria for park and preservation purposes.

Anyone with an interest in this subject has been invited to attend and can become a member of this Work Group.

This Work Group's focus is history (including researching the issue of gravesites) and is not charged with the overall Fort Ward Museum Area park usage issues that the Advisory Group would be responsible for reviewing. The Work Group's findings however will inform the Advisory Group in their work“.

II. Work Group Assignment

Work Group Task #1. Consolidate/organize the working group's priority tasks as developed at the first meeting into goals and objectives for the group.






Goal:

To assist the Office of Historic Alexandria and Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities with the documentation, research and interpretation of cultural and historic resources of Fort Ward Park, including its association with:
Native Americans,
the Defenses of Washington Civil War fortifications, and
the post Civil War African American community that existed on the site until it was acquired by the City of Alexandria for park and preservation purposes.

The Native American, Civil War, and African American history of Fort Ward should be given primary consideration in developing the plan for Fort Ward Park.

Objectives:

Help the city research the history and culture of the park site and its surrounding area, as well as its relationship to Native Americans, African Americans, and the Civil War.
Engage the citizens of Alexandria in historical and cultural research.
Orient, and regularly update, the Ad Hoc Stakeholder Advisory Group about the history of the area, its past use, and relationship to the Civil War, the community and the City of Alexandria.

Priority Tasks:

1. Restore creditability with the community
Take down the fence around the maintenance/ nursery yard. (Note: The workgroup has different views on this task. One thought is that Lance said that the fence will not be taken down at this time due to the possibility of disturbing resources. It will be taken down when more work has been completed. Another thought is that Lance said that this decision shouldn’t be made until the Fort Ward Ad Hoc Stakeholder Advisory Group meets. More discussion is needed.)
Preserve the integrity of the family members.
Restore graves that have been paved over and buried
Remove the October 16, 2008 Fort Ward Park Facilities Plan & Recommendations from the City website

2. Research History and Culture
Talk with families related to the area and park graves that live in Prince William, Loudon, and Fauquier Counties and Gum Springs.
Research graves in the park.
Research graves in the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery.
Commemorate the people that lived in the area that is now a park by creating something permanent (i.e. monument, recreated church, or school, etc.) and honoring people sooner (i.e. Note: examples needed).
Recreate a school and name it after Clara Adams.
Research the original intent and purpose of Fort Ward Park.
Research and write a social history of the Fort Ward Community.

3. Actively seek the interpretation of the park from African American family descendants.

4. Improve Interpretation of the Parks History
Connect the park to Seminary, Woods Place, Meade Episcopal Church, Christ Church and Episcopal High School.
Take a holistic approach to Fort Ward Park that includes preserving and interpreting the history of the natural environment.
Utilize diverse methods to interpret the history of Ft. Ward Park. (i.e. technology, oral history, TV, photos, maps, signage, buildings, etc.)
Create a layered landscape of history and interpretation.
Develop some sort of signage in the museum as soon as possible to tell the story (as we know it now) about the African American presence at the park post-Civil War.
Revise an interpretation panel on African America and Native American history and culture at the Museum by 2001.

5. Engage the Community in the History of Fort Ward Park
Write and article on the history of the people and the park for a local newspaper.
Advertise in local newspapers for people to help with family histories.

Work Group Task # 2. Develop recommendations from the history working group to the Ad Hoc Advisory Group committee for discussion.
I suggest that members of the History Work Group have the opportunity to identify and discuss recommendations and reach consensus agreement on which ones should go to the Advisory Group.